The MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) has been officially named by the U.S. Army as Cheyenne II, in tribute to the Cheyenne tribes.
According to The Aviationist, the new name of the MV-75 continues the long-standing tradition of the U.S. Army of naming its aircraft after Native American tribes.
In this case, the tribute is to the Cheyenne tribes, which are today represented by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma.
The Army chose the name after a careful evaluation of more than 500 Native American tribes. A statement released by the service explains that the speed, range, and adaptability of the MV-75 reflect the historical attributes of the Cheyenne tribes.
“Their spirit of mobility, resilience, and disciplined strength is what the name Cheyenne II represents,” the service explained in its statement.
Brent G. Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, said the choice reflects more than just heritage, but also identity.
“The Cheyenne people represent a resilient warrior culture and embody the key attributes of the MV-75 — speed, range, lethality, and adaptability,” he added.
The MV-75 Cheyenne II will be the first entirely new platform to be integrated into U.S. forces’ fleet since the 1980s, according to the Army. With a range of approximately 2,440 nautical miles, the MV-75 is reported to be able to fly twice as fast and twice as far as the current UH-60M Black Hawk.
This allows “the insertion of full units at extended ranges, expands the reach of medical evacuation far beyond today’s golden hour, and enables large-scale, long-range air assault operations that can reshape the battlefield,” Ingraham added.
The first prototype of the aircraft is expected to be delivered later this year, with testing set to begin as early as early 2027, a U.S. Army spokesperson told The Aviationist via email.
However, it is important to note that the service is keeping the schedule closely guarded, so it is unclear when the first flight will actually occur. Still, following the current timeline, the MV-75 is expected to be delivered to units between 2031 and 2032.
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
Photos and video: Bell / X @USArmy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
