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New Army Aircraft Named After Cheyenne Tribe
The long-range assault vehicle will be called the MV-75 Cheyenne II.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:09am
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The new MV-75 Cheyenne II military aircraft, named in honor of the Native American tribe, represents a leap forward in long-range assault capabilities for the U.S. Army.Wichita TodayThe U.S. Army is naming a new military aircraft the MV-75 Cheyenne II, honoring the Native American Cheyenne tribe that once lived in Kansas and across the Great Plains. The fuselage of the aircraft is being built at Bell Textron's facilities in Wichita, and it will eventually replace the Army's Blackhawk attack helicopter.
Why it matters
The Army has a tradition of naming aircraft after Native American tribes, and the Cheyenne were a prominent tribe in the Great Plains region. Honoring the Cheyenne people's legacy and military service through this new aircraft represents an important recognition of their contributions to the nation.
The details
The MV-75 Cheyenne II is a long-range assault aircraft similar in design to the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, with a tiltrotor vertical-takeoff-and-landing system. It will be able to fly twice as fast and twice as far as the UH-60 Blackhawk, and can be used to transport troops and deliver aid during humanitarian crises. The '75' in the name honors the year the U.S. Army was founded, 1775.
- The new aircraft designation was announced on April 16, 2026.
The players
Bell Textron
The aerospace company that is building the fuselage of the MV-75 Cheyenne II at its facilities in Wichita, Kansas.
Cheyenne Tribe
The Native American tribe that lived in the Great Lakes and Great Plains regions for 400 years before being forced onto reservations in Montana and Oklahoma. The Army is honoring their legacy by naming this new aircraft after them.
Col. Jeffrey Poquette
A U.S. Army officer who said the name 'Cheyenne II' pays tribute to the 'indomitable warrior spirit' of the tribe and the aircraft's leap forward for military aviation.
Ryan Ehinger
A representative from Bell Textron who stated that the Cheyenne heritage represents everything the MV-75 will bring to the future fight.
What they’re saying
“In naming the MV-75 Cheyenne II, we honor the enduring contributions of the Cheyenne people to our Nation — both their distinguished service in uniform and their legacy as steadfast protectors of their way of life.”
— Col. Jeffrey Poquette, U.S. Army Officer
“The Cheyenne heritage represents everything that the MV-75 will bring to the future fight. This is a significant milestone that comes right as we are accelerating assembly and production to deliver the MV-75 capability to warfighters faster.”
— Ryan Ehinger, Bell Textron Representative
What’s next
An official delivery date for the new MV-75 Cheyenne II aircraft has not been announced yet.
The takeaway
By naming this new military aircraft after the Cheyenne tribe, the U.S. Army is honoring the legacy and contributions of Native American peoples, recognizing their important role in the nation's history and their continued service to the country.
