The Boeing proposal for its MH-139 helicopter to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging Huey fleet could save more than $1 billion in acquisition costs and lifecycle expenses, the company has claimed.
On Sept. 13, Boeing submitted its bid for the Air Force to buy up to 84 MH-139s to protect the country’s intercontinental ballistic missiles and meet certain domestic military transport needs. A contract award is expected next year. The UH-1N Huey fleet entered service in the 1970s.
The MH-139 is based on the AW139 that’s in service with more than 250 government, military, and commercial operators around the world. Leonardo Helicopters builds the market-leading aircraft in Philadelphia.
Boeing military rotorcraft expertise, combined with the non-developmental, multi-mission helicopter, will provide exceptional value and capability to the Air Force and taxpayers.
Editor’s Note: This is a Boeing press release. For more information about the company’s offering for the UH-1N Huey Replacement Program, which will be competing with the Sikorsky HH-60U Black Hawk, read our story in the Summer issue of Vertical 911 here.
One of the biggest lies I’ve ever read. As an operator of the 139, and formerly of the 205 series of aircraft, there is no way the cost of operation of these two aircraft is comparable. Even though the Heuy fleet is getting older, the parts are considerably cheaper. Also the infrastructure for maintenance and parts is world wide. The 139 is NOT a good utility aircraft and its down time is excessive. This proposal is an outright attempt to empty taxpayer dollars for corporate profit.
Sounds like a perfect fit for retired military SAR pilots who are already typed and current in the AW139 and willing to travel …
The savings is compared to the competition (ie; Blackhawk), not the Huey.
I know that the integrated HUMS on the 139 makes a track and balance much more efficient than a -60. Lugging a Chadwick Helmuth into the 60 after installing all of the accelerometers and pick-ups, doing the adjustments and flights and then uninstalling all of the gear is a real time waster. Time is money commercially. Huge savings there for the USAF using a COTS platform.
All US Military H-60’s are equipped with the IV-HUMMS System, this is for vibration analysis of components and track, balance and smoothing of main and tail rotor systems. I really don’t see how this is going to save us any money….