On Monday, April 13, 2026, the American corporation RTX announced that its subsidiary Collins Aerospace had been selected by Bell Textron (part of Textron) to supply five key components for the serial production of MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotors under the U.S. Army’s FLRAA (Future Long Range Assault Aircraft) program, which will replace the UH-60M/V Black Hawk helicopters.
Image: RTX, Bell Textron
„The Army’s new generation of rotorcraft needs to fly farther and faster, and we’re committed to helping Bell accelerate delivery of that advanced performance with Collins’ military-grade commercial technology,” said Troy Brunk, president of Collins Aerospace. „We have ready-now manufacturing and service capabilities around the globe to ensure the Army can urgently deliver, modernize and sustain the MV-75 FLRAA for the next 50 years.”
Collins Aerospace will supply several of these systems through authorized commercial orders. The five systems include:
- main electrical power generators,
- interconnect gearboxes,
- the SmartProbe air data system,
- the pilot seat and restraint system,
- the ice protection system.
„We are happy to work with Collins Aerospace and add their expertise to Team FLRAA,” said Ryan Ehinger, senior vice president and program director, Bell. „Together, we are committed to delivering a high-performing, reliable aircraft that will provide the U.S. Army with the critical capability it needs for the future fight.”
Work on these systems will be carried out at Collins Aerospace facilities in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.
It is worth noting that the official alphanumeric designation MV-75 for the tiltrotor based on the proposed V-280 Valor was approved on May 14, 2025. The prototypes will carry the designation YMV-75A.
Earlier, on August 2, 2024, the U.S. Army announced approval of the Milestone B phase in the FLRAA program, which is part of FVL-M (Future Vertical Lift – Medium), resulting in the planned order of six YMV-75A prototypes from Bell Textron. The Bell Textron proposal had been selected on December 5, 2022.
The purchase of the six planned prototypes falls under the December 2022 framework agreement worth 232.2 million USD, as part of the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, for which 1.361 billion USD was allocated under the NDAA defense budget.
Under the current schedule, the first flight of the final YMV-75A tiltrotor prototype is planned for 2026, and deliveries are to be accelerated from 2030 to 2028. The first user is expected to be the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division. So far, Bell Textron has delivered one of the two virtual MV-75 simulators.
The V-280 Valor, from which the YMV-75A will be derived, was originally developed for the JMR TD (Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator) program launched in 2013. The aircraft’s composite airframe was unveiled in late September 2015, and the complete prototype, bearing registration number N280BH, made its maiden flight on December 18, 2017.
The V-280 Valor was equipped with a triple-redundant fly-by-wire flight control system, a V-tail, fixed wings, large sliding side doors 1.8 meters wide, and retractable landing gear. Its maximum takeoff weight is expected to be approximately 13,680 kg. It is powered by two General Electric T64-GE-419 turboshaft engines, each rated at 4,750 shp (3,540 kW).
The YMV-75A for the U.S. Army, in turn, will be powered by new General Electric T901-GE-900 turboshaft engines (manufacturer designation: GE3000), selected under the ITEP (Improved Turbine Engine Program).
At a later stage, the MV-75 will also replace the MH-60M special operations support helicopters and the HH-60M medical evacuation helicopters. Bell Textron also intends to offer it to the U.S. Navy as a successor to the MH-60R/S Seahawk multirole naval helicopters. In 2020, the tiltrotor was offered to Poland, among others, and the United Kingdom also expressed interest.
UPDATE
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) conference, U.S. Army leadership announced the proper name of the MV-75 tiltrotor: Cheyenne II.
According to the explanation provided, the U.S. Army conducted a deliberate evaluation process covering more than 500 Native American tribes and concluded that the speed, range, and adaptability of the MV-75 reflect the historic attributes of the Cheyenne people.
The name of the MV-75 Cheyenne II „reflects more than heritage – it reflects identity,” said Ingraham. „The Cheyenne people represent a resilient warrior culture and embody the key attributes of the MV-75 – speed, reach, lethality, and adaptability.”
The Cheyenne inhabited the Great Plains for 400 years, adapting to the harsh and unforgiving environment as highly skilled hunters and gatherers. Their way of life required constant mobility, organized around nomadic bison hunting, which enabled them to rapidly assemble, disassemble, and move in order to meet the demands of their environment.
„In many aspects, that same ability to rapidly organize, reposition, and operate with precision is reflected in the MV-75 platform.” Ingraham said.
Today, the Cheyenne are represented by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma, whose heritage reflects a proud and enduring warrior tradition rooted in protection, provision, and leadership. Their spirit of mobility, resilience, and disciplined strength is exactly what the name Cheyenne II represents.
This name was previously used in the late 1960s for the advanced Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne attack helicopter. Although the AAFSS (Advanced Aerial Fire Support System) program was canceled, the U.S. Army now argues that its legacy of innovation and speed will continue through the new tiltrotor platform.
„It not only enhances the lethality, but also revolutionizes our aircraft design and construction through the advanced open architecture and model based systems engineering,” said Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air.
„The MV-75 is a transformational aircraft that will provide our Joint Force with unparallelled versatility to dominate a wide array of mission sets,” said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager for the MV-75 Cheyenne II. „We are honored to have the Cheyenne tribes’ approval to use their name, which embodies the power of this aircraft.”
Breaking: The U.S. Army has officially named its next-generation MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft the „Cheyenne II.” Announced today at the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual conference, this advanced aircraft marks a new era in technology and capability.” pic.twitter.com/DzYHvDkQK5
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) April 15, 2026
Forged in resilience. Defined by courage. The Cheyenne heritage represents the speed, strength, and endurance the MV-75 will bring to future fight ahead. We honor their legacy with the next evolution of air maneuver.
Meet the Cheyenne II: https://t.co/yrnEqSy0h2#MV75 #FLRAA… pic.twitter.com/d9gAiNiYAE
— Bell (@BellFlight) April 15, 2026