U.S. Army Officially Names Future Long Range Assault Aircraft the MV-75 Cheyenne II

The new aircraft honors the heritage of the Cheyenne Tribes and signals a new era of innovation for Army aviation.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:22pm

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An abstract, sweeping blur of vibrant colors and dynamic motion, representing the speed and power of the new MV-75 Cheyenne II military helicopter.The MV-75 Cheyenne II, the U.S. Army's new transformational long-range assault aircraft, embodies the warrior spirit and adaptability of the Cheyenne Tribes it honors.Today in Nashville

The U.S. Army has officially designated the MV-75 as the Cheyenne II, honoring the heritage of the Cheyenne Tribes. The new aircraft, developed by Bell Textron Inc., is a transformational capability for the Army that will provide increased speed, range, lethality, and multi-mission adaptability.

Why it matters

The Cheyenne II name reflects the U.S. Army's tradition of honoring Native American tribes and the enduring legacy of the Cheyenne people, including their distinguished military service and steadfast protection of their way of life. The new aircraft's capabilities will enable commanders to rapidly mass combat power and overwhelm adversaries in contested environments.

The details

The 'MV' in the aircraft's designation signals that it is a multi-mission vertical takeoff aircraft, while the '75' commemorates the U.S. Army's founding year of 1775. The Cheyenne II's Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) ensures the platform can evolve with the demands of the modern battlefield. The aircraft's speed, range, lethality, and endurance will provide the Army with new options to operate at vast distances outside of dense threat areas.

  • The U.S. Army officially designated the MV-75 as the Cheyenne II on April 15, 2026.
  • In 2025, the Army revealed the Mission Design Series (MDS) MV-75.

The players

Bell Textron Inc.

A Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company that is developing the MV-75 Cheyenne II aircraft for the U.S. Army.

COL Jeffrey Poquette

Project Manager, Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) for the U.S. Army.

Ryan Ehinger

Senior Vice President & Program Director, FLRAA at Bell.

Northern Cheyenne Tribe

A federally recognized Native American tribe in Montana whose heritage is honored by the Cheyenne II name.

Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes

A federally recognized Native American tribe in Oklahoma whose heritage is honored by the Cheyenne II name.

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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

“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 & 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 new era of innovation and capability for the U.S. Army, honoring the legacy of the Cheyenne Tribes while providing commanders with a transformational long-range assault aircraft to overwhelm adversaries in contested environments.