U.S. Army names MV-75 FLRAA ‘Cheyenne’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Army has named its next-generation Future Long Range Assault Aircraft the MV-75 Cheyenne, unveiling the mission design series and the aircraft’s popular name during the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual conference on April 15.

The MV-75, developed under the FLRAA program, is a medium multi-role, tiltrotor aircraft the Army says will fly twice as far and twice as fast as today’s rotary-wing fleet. Designed to blend the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft, the platform is pitched as a significant step forward in speed, payload, survivability, and overall reach for long-range air assault from safer stand-off distances.

“The Cheyenne people represent a resilient warrior culture and embody the key attributes of the MV-75 – speed, reach, lethality, and adaptability,” said the HON Brent Ingraham, Army Acquisition Executive. “I am honored to be part of this historic occasion as we officially name our multi-mission tiltrotor aircraft.”

Army officials said the naming followed a deliberate review of more than 500 nominations spanning tribes, Native American figures, and terms. The choice revives a historic moniker last used for the late-1960s AH-56 Cheyenne, an advanced attack helicopter program that was ultimately canceled but is remembered for its emphasis on speed and innovation.

“Representing the future of Army aviation, the MV-75 embodies the strength and versatility of the Cheyenne tribes,” said MG Clair Gill, Portfolio Acquisition Executive and commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala. “This aircraft will revolutionize how the Army fights and wins, delivering unmatched capabilities to the Joint Force and ensuring we maintain a decisive advantage on the battlefield.”

Beyond raw performance, the Army highlighted a modular open-systems architecture with a digital backbone to more easily integrate new technology over the aircraft’s life, along with fly-by-wire controls and advanced autonomy features tailored for future operational environments.

“This is a historic day for our MV-75 Cheyenne team and the Army,” said Rodney Davis, Capability Program Executive, Aviation. “Stakeholders across the Army aviation enterprise were deeply involved in the research and analysis during the naming process. We are proud to honor the Cheyenne tribes and their legacy.”

The Army also pointed to the heritage behind the name. The Cheyenne tribes, historically known for resilience, adaptability, and a strong warrior culture across the Great Plains, are today represented by two federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma and Montana.

“The MV-75 is a transformational aircraft that will provide our Joint Force with unparalleled versatility to dominate a wide array of mission sets,” said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager for the MV-75 Cheyenne. “We are honored to have the Cheyenne tribes’ approval to use their name, which embodies the power of this aircraft.”

Service leaders cast the MV-75 Cheyenne as a central element of broader aviation modernization efforts aimed at maintaining a battlefield edge against advanced threats.