Integris Composites Takes a Leap Forward in Aerospace Armor Production with Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf Rotorcraft

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Integris Composites (formerly TenCate Advanced Armour, Vienna, Va., U.S.), a manufacturer of composite armor for land vehicles, aircraft, naval craft, and protection housing for optronics, has achieved a milestone with the recent delivery of the first MH-139A Grey Wolf production aircraft to the U.S Air Force by Boeing. This event marks a major step for not only the company but also Boeing.

In 2018, Boeing was chosen as the main contractor while Leonardo was selected as the original equipment manufacturer to create the MH-139A aircraft. This aircraft provides improved capabilities and greater flexibility than the storied UH-1N Huey helicopters. The UH-1N has been revered in military history since the Vietnam War as it has served a crucial role in protecting intercontinental missile bases across the United States.

The first production vehicle equipped with armor developed by Integris was delivered on Aug. 5, 2024. This resulted from nearly a decade of strategic development and collaborative engineering between Integris and Boeing.

For Integris Composites, this delivery also marks the realization of a strategic goal to be a credentialed Tier One supplier in the aerospace industry. In addition to Boeing, the company also has contracts with Bell Flight, Airbus, Velocity Systems, QinetiQ, Battelle Memorial Institute, Mack Defense, American Rheinmetall Vehicles, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

In 2023, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $178M contract to produce MH-139A aircraft. This investment in the Grey Wolf and full-rate production is a critical step in supporting the Air Force’s modernization priorities.

The MH-139 is designed to be a multi-mission helicopter used for patrol, search and rescue, and troop and cargo transport. As it is built based on the proven Leonardo Helicopters AW139 and fitted with custom military equipment by Boeing, the MH-139 has advanced state-of-the-art technology allowing it to complete missions quickly, quietly, efficiently, and safely.

Recently, Integris Composites has successfully reached a new contract with Bell Texton Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.) to provide armor systems for the company’s long-range assault aircraft (FLRAA), called Bell V-280 Valor.

This tiltrotor aircraft is the platform selected for the U.S. Army’s FLRAA weapons system that will provide capabilities with better-increased speed, range, and payloads rather than the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Ashton Henning