Bell Textron and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue a version of the MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor for South Korea’s High Speed Medium Utility Helicopter (HSMUH) program.
The agreement, finalized in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 28, 2026, marks the first public international collaboration linked to Bell’s MV-75 since the U.S. Army designated it Cheyenne II earlier that month. Under the MoU, the companies will evaluate MV-75-based solutions tailored for the Republic of Korea (ROK) armed forces, incorporating a modular open systems approach (MOSA). This design allows the ROK military to update the weapons system independently over time, reducing dependence on a single supplier.
The partnership also includes plans to explore industrial cooperation opportunities within South Korea, though specifics on workshare, timelines, or funding remain undisclosed. The MV-75, with an expected maximum takeoff weight of around 30,000 pounds, offers higher speed and heavier lift capacity compared to traditional helicopters, aligning with Seoul’s interest in advanced vertical lift for replacing aging fleets.
The effort aligns with U.S. government export policies and receives support from the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, tying it to the Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) development contract. This structure ensures any potential sale adheres to U.S. technology release decisions.