{"id":14115,"date":"2020-06-15T19:31:31","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T19:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/15\/the-air-forces-new-grey-wolf-helicopter-needs-to-watch-its-weight\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:00:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:00:33","slug":"the-air-forces-new-grey-wolf-helicopter-needs-to-watch-its-weight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2020\/06\/15\/the-air-forces-new-grey-wolf-helicopter-needs-to-watch-its-weight\/","title":{"rendered":"US Air Force\u2019s new Grey Wolf helicopter needs to watch its weight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Air Force\u2019s new MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter<\/a>, which will replace the UH-1N Huey that guards nuclear missile fields, is at risk for bursting over its weight limit, a congressional watchdog said earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grey Wolf \u2014 built by prime contractor Boeing and based on Italian aerospace firm Leonardo\u2019s AW139 helicopter<\/a> \u2014 appears to be gliding through its development phase, having completed its critical design review five months earlier than predicted in June 2019. However, the Government Accountability Office has voiced concerns that the final weight of the aircraft could be more than expected and lead to some performance drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe helicopter, as it is currently designed, may not be able to meet all performance requirements if the final weight of the aircraft exceeds design parameters,\u201d the GAO said in a June report<\/a> on major defense acquisition programs. \u201cIf an appropriate weight is not achieved, the aircraft may not be able to meet requirements for speed or range. Air Force officials stated that they expect to determine the final weight of the aircraft in December 2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t