"We will build vehicles during their testing": the US Army accelerates the production of the MV-75 rotary-wing attack aircraft

The MV-75 concept

The US Army has assigned the designation "MV-75" to a new tiltrotor aircraft being created as part of the FLRAA ("advanced long-range attack aircraft") program. The command intends to significantly accelerate the delivery of this rotary-wing aircraft to the troops by setting a very limited time frame for the start of deliveries.

- the army explained.

The MV-75 has been developed since 2022 by Bell, which won the relevant competition, based on the V-280 Valor tiltrotor, which flew only 200 hours. The new product is designed to replace a significant part of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter fleet, including the MH-60M, designed for special operations.

The Army command believes that the increased speed and range of the new tiltrotor compared to the Black Hawk are particularly important characteristics for participation in a large-scale conflict in the Pacific Theater.

V-280 Valor – the base platform for MV-75

If the contractor was initially tasked with starting deliveries of the MV-75 to the troops by 2030, now we are talking about 2028. The first unit to receive new equipment will be the 101st Airborne Division. The 160th Special Forces Aviation Regiment (SOAR) is also waiting for her.

The program management commented on such a short delivery time, indicating that serial production of a small batch should begin in 2028.:

It is noted that prototype testing usually takes about two years, after which a decision is made to start production. However, the army does not intend to wait that long, and therefore will be engaged in testing 8 prototypes and serial production of tiltrotor aircraft at the same time.:

The contractor, Bell, assured the command that the quality of the product would not be affected, as the risks were significantly reduced thanks to digital design.