US Army to receive first MV-75 tiltrotor in 2026 five years earlier than planned.

The U.S. Army will field its first Bell MV-75 tiltrotor aircraft by late 2026, advancing the Future Vertical Lift program by several years compared with previous plans that targeted the early 2030s

On January 13, 2026, DefenseNews reported that the U.S. Army will field its first Bell MV-75 tiltrotor aircraft by late 2026, accelerating the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program that had previously been expected to deliver the first unit in 2031-2032. The announcement, made by Army Chief of Staff Randy George during the Army Senior Leader Sitrep town hall, reflects changes in acquisition strategy driven by faster technological development and evolving operational requirements.
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Equipped with two Rolls-Royce AE 1107F turboshaft engines, the MV-75 will have a cruise speed of about 520 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed close to 560 kilometers per hour, roughly double the cruise speed of the UH-60. (Picture source: Bell)

The MV-75 is the U.S. Army service designation for the aircraft previously known as the V-280 Valor, developed by Bell under the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator effort that preceded the Future Vertical Lift framework. The V-280 was publicly unveiled in 2013 and achieved its first flight on December 18, 2017, initiating a multi-year flight-test campaign focused on validating tiltrotor performance, handling qualities, and system maturity. Between 2017 and 2021, the demonstrator accumulated more than 200 flight hours, progressively expanding its envelope in speed, range, and maneuvering. In December 2022, the U.S. Army selected the V-280 as the winner of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competition, defeating the Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1. Following that decision, the aircraft transitioned from a demonstrator status into an acquisition program of record, later receiving the formal MV-75 designation, marking its formal shift from experimental platform to future operational system.

In terms of design, the MV-75 is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines vertical takeoff and landing with high-speed forward flight, allowing it to operate like a helicopter near the ground and like a turboprop aircraft in cruise. Unlike the earlier V-22 Osprey, the MV-75 keeps its engines fixed while only the rotors and drive shafts tilt, simplifying the nacelle arrangement and reducing mechanical complexity. Power is distributed through a central driveshaft running through the wing, enabling one engine to drive both rotors in the event of a single-engine failure. The airframe uses a straight composite wing, a V-tail configuration, retractable landing gear, and a triple-redundant fly-by-wire flight control system. The MV-75's fuselage layout is deliberately close to that of the UH-60 Black Hawk, with large side doors positioned to allow rapid troop ingress and egress, in order to reduce retraining burdens for aircrews and maintainers.

Equipped with two Rolls-Royce AE 1107F turboshaft engines with a power output of about 7,000 shaft horsepower (shp) per engine, the MV-75 will have a cruise speed of about 520 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed close to 560 kilometers per hour, roughly double the cruise speed of the UH-60. Its ferry range is approximately 3,900 kilometers, with an estimated combat radius between about 930 and 1,480 kilometers, a range similar to the V-22 Osprey. Maximum takeoff weight is about 14,000 kilograms, placing it slightly above the UH-60 while allowing increased payload capacity and extended reach. The aircraft is configured for a crew of four and the transport of up to 14 fully equipped troops, and it can also carry external loads using cargo hooks. Compared with earlier tiltrotor designs, its lower disk loading contributes to improved hover efficiency and vertical performance, supporting sustained operations in high-temperature and high-altitude environments.

During its speech, George linked the faster introduction of the MV-75 to a wider reassessment of how the U.S. Army adapts to rapid technological change. He referenced a recent visit to Ukraine as an example of how quickly battlefield technology and tactics are evolving, particularly in relation to drone use. According to his remarks, the Army is transforming units to be capable of offensive drone operations, citing the drone combat unit recently established within the 10th Mountain Division. He emphasized that similar adaptations are occurring across the force, and that the Army intends to match that pace through faster adoption of new equipment and capabilities. This context was used to explain why the MV-75 schedule was being pulled forward.

In parallel with manned aviation changes, George said the Army is reshaping its combat aviation brigades to integrate larger unmanned aerial systems. He specified that this includes systems categorized in Groups 3, 4, and 5, noting that Group 5 platforms are comparable in size to the MQ-9 Reaper. This indicates an intent to integrate medium and large unmanned aircraft rather than limiting aviation units to small drones. The integration of these systems was described as a structural change to aviation formations, intended to expand operational options and align aviation brigades with current and future operational requirements. This effort was discussed alongside the MV-75 timeline rather than as a separate program.

George also outlined a shift in how the Army intends to decide which technologies to adopt and retain. He said the service plans to provide new capabilities directly to units and rely on feedback from soldiers to determine what works and what does not, rather than relying solely on top-down decisions. This approach was highlighted as particularly relevant for autonomous systems, where engineers are expected to work directly with service members as systems are employed. He gave the example of breaching operations conducted with robots to illustrate the type of practical experimentation the Army wants units to conduct. This feedback-driven process was presented as an integral part of modernization alongside new platforms like the MV-75.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.