Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

The first serial production USAF MH-139A “Grey Wolf” has entered final assembly at Leonardo’s Philadelphia plant. The helicopter is the first in an initial batch of 13. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2024.&nbsp;
Derived from the civilian Leonardo Helicopters AW139 intermediate twin, the Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A is intended to replace the USAF’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1Ns, which are used for security patrol at nuclear missile sites and to transport VIPs in the Washington, D.C. region.&nbsp;Boeing was awarded a $2.4 billion contract in September 2018 for up to 84 helicopters, training systems, and associated support equipment. While subcontractor Leonardo manufactures the airframe, prime contractor Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement,&nbsp;installation, and post-delivery support of the aircraft from its facility in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania.
Compared with the UH-1N, the MH-139A is 50 percent faster, has 50 percent more range, can lift 5,000 more pounds, and has a 30 percent larger cabin. The cabin can accommodate nine combat-equipped troops and their related security equipment or 15 other passengers. Earlier this year, the Pentagon’s Office of Test and Evaluation (OT&amp;E) raised concerns related to the installation of a variety of militarized components and noted that the MH-139A’s expanded performance envelope over the AW139 “may stress powertrain components&nbsp;and increase maintenance requirements.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Final assembly of the first production USAF Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A helicopter has begun.

First Production Grey Wolf in Final Assembly 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

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Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

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Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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