After months of delays and a new report raising questions about its worthiness, the Air Force is nearing a key production decision for its new MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter—and laying the groundwork to ensure forces are ready when it arrives. 

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center said it is “on track” for the “Milestone C” production decision in February or March, AFLCMC spokesman Brian Brackens confirmed to Air & Space Forces Magazine.  

Military flight testing began in August after a yearlong FAA certification delay. Last week, in its annual report, the Pentagon’s Office of the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) warned there might not be enough time for testing before the anticipated production decision.  

But Brackens said in an email that the production decision won’t come until the Air Force has “performed sufficient flight testing to enable completion of all Milestone C entry criteria.”

Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., will be the first operational base for the Grey Wolf aircraft and will host much of the operational testing, while Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., will host the MH-139’s Formal Training Unit.

Joining a panel discussion hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on Jan. 24, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Lutton, commander of the 20th Air Force, said he is standing up a provisional helicopter squadron at Malmstrom now to ensure operational testing and training stays on…