U.S. Army Unveils MV-75 Cheyenne II for Future Long-Range Assault Missions

The new aircraft honors the heritage of the Cheyenne Tribes as it revolutionizes Army aviation capabilities.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:54am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a military aircraft with recognizable fuselage, rotor, and sensor elements illuminated by neon cyan and magenta lights, conveying a sense of advanced, high-tech military power and innovation.The MV-75 Cheyenne II will bring transformative speed, range, and lethality to the U.S. Army's long-range air assault missions.Cheyenne Today

The U.S. Army has officially designated the MV-75 as the Cheyenne II, consistent with the military's tradition of honoring Native American tribes. The new multi-mission vertical takeoff aircraft will provide the Army with increased speed, range, lethality, and adaptability for future long-range air assault operations.

Why it matters

The Cheyenne II represents a major technological leap forward for Army aviation, enabling commanders to mass combat power and overwhelm adversaries at vast distances. By honoring the Cheyenne Tribes, the Army is recognizing the enduring warrior spirit and adaptability that will be embodied in this transformational new capability.

The details

The 'MV' in the aircraft's designation signals that it is a multi-mission vertical takeoff vehicle, while the '75' commemorates the U.S. Army's founding year of 1775. The Cheyenne II's Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) will allow the platform to evolve with the demands of the modern battlefield. Bell Textron Inc. is on schedule to deliver the first test aircraft as the Army accelerates the program to field this critical next-generation capability.

  • In 2025, the Army revealed the Mission Design Series (MDS) MV-75.
  • On April 16, 2026, the U.S. Army officially designated the MV-75 as the Cheyenne II.

The players

Bell Textron Inc.

The aerospace manufacturer that announced the U.S. Army's official designation of the MV-75 as the Cheyenne II.

Col. Jeffrey Poquette

The project manager for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.

Ryan Ehinger

The senior vice president and program director for FLRAA at Bell.

Northern Cheyenne Tribe

One of the two federally recognized Cheyenne nations that the new aircraft is named after.

Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes

The other federally recognized Cheyenne nation that the new aircraft is named after.

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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, Project Manager, FLRAA

“The name also reflects a connection to the bold vision of the AH-56 Cheyenne, while 'II' signifies a new era of innovation and capability. It is a name that pays tribute to an indomitable warrior spirit and signals a decisive step forward for Army aviation.”

— Col. Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager, FLRAA

“Bell is proud that the MV-75 carries the name of the Cheyenne Tribes as we revolutionize Army Aviation. The Cheyenne heritage represents everything that the MV-75 will bring to the future fight.”

— Ryan Ehinger, Senior Vice President and Program Director, FLRAA, Bell

What’s next

Bell and the Army remain on schedule as the team advances toward the delivery of the first test aircraft for the MV-75 Cheyenne II.

The takeaway

The MV-75 Cheyenne II represents a transformational leap in Army aviation capabilities, combining increased speed, range, lethality, and adaptability to overwhelm adversaries at vast distances. By honoring the Cheyenne Tribes, the Army is recognizing the enduring warrior spirit that will be embodied in this next-generation platform.