Boeing has received an award for the first four full-rate production MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, the company said in a press release dated October 1.

The award follows the U.S. Air Force declaring initial operating capability for the program earlier this year, Boeing said.

"This milestone validates key readiness levels for Grey Wolf and supports the service's fielding plans to secure vital national assets across the country's strategic missile fields," said Kathleen Jolivette, vice president and general manager of Vertical Lift Programs at Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

"Adding these aircraft to the production queue brings additional momentum to ongoing fielding and modernization efforts," she said.

Boeing said the first full-rate production award clears the way to scale MH-139A deployment for real-world operations. The contract brings the total number of MH-139A helicopters under contract to 42, of which Boeing has delivered 27 so far, the company said.

The press release did not disclose the value of the award or a delivery schedule for the four additional aircraft.

Source: PR