The submission period has closed for proposals to replace the Air Force’s UH-1N Huey fleet, including those at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Boeing and it’s partner Leonardo Helicopter submitted the MH-139 as their offering for the replacement.

Final RFP issued in search for Huey replacement, including those at Malmstrom

Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, submitted the HH-60U, a variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk.

Sierra Nevada Corp. is offering to upgrade old Army UH-60Ls.

Bell Helicopter, has opted not to compete for the Huey replacement competition.

The Huey currently in service at all intercontinental ballistic missile bases was manufactured by Bell/Textron Inc. and is the military version of the original Huey, first designed and flown in 1956, according to the Air Force. The Hueys are also used for VIP transport in the Washington, D.C. region.

Tester visits Malmstrom, says base can withstand a BRAC round and supports infrastructure upgrades

The Air Force is expected to award a contract next spring with initial operational fielding beginning in fiscal year 2020 or 2021, after a period of developmental and operations tests, according to Capt. Emily Grabowski, an Air Force spokeswoman. The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

The program is capped at $4.1 billion and includes production and sustainment transition support, Grabowski said.