Fort Worth – Last week, Bell Textron announced that it had successfully completed the assembly of two wing structures for the MV-75 Cheyenne, the Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. Next, Bell will integrate the wings into the first two MV-75 test aircraft.
The tiltrotor wing is a key piece of structure for the MV-75. It provides the structural backbone of the aircraft with strength, stiffness and enhanced survivability. All key components for the tiltrotor wing are made within Bell's facilities, including the composite wing skins and spars, the tailored aluminum substructure and assembly.
The medium-size, vertical lift, multi-mission aircraft combines the vertical agility of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane, allowing it to fly twice as fast and twice as far, according to the Army. The Cheyenne is a top modernization priority as it is expected to replace part of the Army's Black Hawk fleet.
The tiltrotor wing is a key piece of structure for the MV-75; it provides the structural backbone of the aircraft.Bell Textron
“After decades of building V-22 wings, we’ve learned new ways to do things better, faster and smarter by implementing these lessons into the design upfront,” said Culley Shafer, director of operations, Amarillo, Bell. “The team is constantly evolving, making adjustments, refining sequencing and implementing engineering changes to keep raising the bar on quality, safety and efficiency.”
The first wing, completed in February, was fabricated with 90% fewer labor hours compared to the initial V-22 wing build, according to the company. The second wing was produced with an additional 40% reduction.
The next step of the build assembly involves mating the wing structures with the fuselage, currently being assembled at the Wichita Assembly Center, and the Nacelle, which is also progressing through assembly.
Bell Textron recently opened the Wichita Assembly Center for the MV-75 Cheyenne fuselage assembly in Wichita, Kansas. The company began fuselage manufacturing operations at the facility in October 2025, as a part of the acceleration initiative directed by the U.S. Army.
