Defense & Military
Bell Opens Wichita Assembly Center for MV-75 Cheyenne II Production
Bell Textron opens Wichita Assembly Center to build fuselages for the MV-75 Cheyenne II, accelerating delivery to the U.S. Army by 2026.
This article is based on an official press release from Bell.
On April 27, 2026, Bell Textron Inc. officially celebrated the grand opening of its Wichita Assembly Center (WAC) in Wichita, Kansas. According to a company press release, the new facility is dedicated to manufacturing the fuselage for the U.S. Army’s new MV-75 Cheyenne II, a next-generation tiltrotor aircraft designed to replace the aging UH-60 Black Hawk fleet.
While the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place this week, fuselage manufacturing operations actually commenced in October 2025. This early start was initiated to support an aggressive program acceleration directed by the U.S. Army, highlighting the critical priority of modernizing Military-Aircraft assets.
The Wichita facility is currently assembling the fuselages for the first six MV-75 test aircraft. The MV-75 represents the Army’s first entirely new aviation airframe since the 1980s, promising to deliver twice the speed and range of the current Helicopters fleet.
Located in a city historically recognized as the “Air Capital of the World,” the new Wichita Assembly Center deepens parent company Textron’s existing Manufacturing footprint in Kansas. The facility is highly specialized; rather than building the entire aircraft, the WAC focuses exclusively on fuselage assembly.
Once the fuselages are completed in Wichita, they will be integrated with advanced components from Bell’s Advanced Composite Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Final assembly of the aircraft will then take place at Bell’s established facility in Amarillo, Texas, creating a robust, multi-state manufacturing network.
As of mid-April 2026, Bell has confirmed that the MV-75’s design is essentially locked. With more than 90 percent of the aircraft’s engineering details finalized, manufacturing is proceeding with high confidence. This design maturity is a crucial factor in allowing the company to meet the Army’s accelerated Delivery schedules.
“As Bell moves through the assembly of the MV-75 test aircraft and into accelerated production, we are committed to investing in advanced manufacturing to ensure we deliver exceptional performance at an affordable cost to our customer. Textron has a rich history with the state of Kansas as well as the city of Wichita, and we are proud to deepen that relationship as we establish this new facility.”
The MV-75 is the culmination of the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. Bell’s design, originally known as the V-280 Valor demonstrator, won the highly competitive contract in December 2022, defeating a rival design from Sikorsky-Boeing. The Army officially designated the aircraft the “MV-75 Cheyenne II” on April 15, 2026, during the Army Aviation Association of America summit in Nashville. The nomenclature carries deep significance: “MV” stands for Multi-Mission Vertical Takeoff, while “75” commemorates 1775, the founding year of the U.S. Army. The name “Cheyenne II” honors the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana and the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, continuing the military’s long-standing tradition of naming aircraft after Native American tribes. It also serves as a homage to the AH-56 Cheyenne, an ambitious 1960s attack helicopter program.
“Bell is proud that the MV-75 carries the name of the Cheyenne Tribes as we revolutionize Army Aviation. This is a significant milestone that comes right as we are accelerating assembly and production to deliver the MV-75 capability to warfighters faster.”
As a tiltrotor aircraft, the MV-75 takes off vertically like a traditional helicopter but rotates its rotors horizontally to fly like a fixed-wing airplane. Program specifications indicate it is designed to cruise at speeds exceeding 300 mph, carry up to 14 soldiers, and lift an external load of up to 10,000 pounds.
These capabilities are considered critical for modern military strategy, particularly in the vast operational theaters of the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft’s extended range allows forces to launch from safer, dispersed locations, significantly reducing exposure time to enemy air defenses. Furthermore, the MV-75 is built with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). This digital, open-architecture backbone ensures the Army can cost-effectively integrate new weapons, sensors, and software in the future without requiring a full airframe redesign or being locked into a single vendor.
The U.S. Army and Bell are aggressively accelerating the MV-75 program. Originally slated for initial fielding in the early 2030s, the timeline has been shifted to the left by approximately two years. The first prototype is now expected to be delivered by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with the first unit potentially equipped by 2030.
To meet this accelerated timeline, Textron is making substantial financial Investments in production capacity. Corporate capital expenditures are projected to jump from $383 million in 2025 to approximately $650 million in 2026. This increase is driven largely by the procurement of long-lead materials and the establishment of early production infrastructure for the MV-75. By early 2026, Bell had already placed nearly 2,000 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers on contract and issued 45,000 purchase Orders to ensure supply chain readiness.
“Today’s celebration marks a significant milestone for the Air Capital of the World and underscores the critical role Kansans play in supporting our national security… This facility represents a new chapter of Army aviation and of Bell’s investment into Kansas.”
We note that the physical opening of the Wichita Assembly Center is more than just a local economic victory; it is the tangible realization of the Army’s most ambitious aviation modernization effort in four decades. The fact that Bell quietly began manufacturing operations in October 2025, six months prior to this official grand opening, highlights the intense urgency the Pentagon is placing on fielding this next-generation aircraft. Furthermore, Textron’s massive jump in capital expenditures to $650 million in 2026 signals immense corporate confidence in the locked design and the stability of the Army’s accelerated procurement timeline.
The MV-75 Cheyenne II is a next-generation tiltrotor aircraft developed by Bell for the U.S. Army. It is designed to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk, offering vertical takeoff capabilities combined with airplane-like cruising speeds exceeding 300 mph.
The manufacturing process is split across multiple locations. Fuselage assembly takes place at the newly opened Wichita Assembly Center in Kansas. Components are also built at Bell’s Advanced Composite Center in Fort Worth, Texas, with final aircraft assembly occurring in Amarillo, Texas. Due to program acceleration, the first prototype is expected by late 2026 or early 2027. The U.S. Army aims to have the first unit equipped by 2030.
Sources:
Inside the Wichita Assembly Center
Design Maturity and Early Production
The MV-75 Cheyenne II Program
Capabilities and Strategic Importance
Program Acceleration and Financial Investment
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the MV-75 Cheyenne II?
Where is the MV-75 being built?
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Bell Press Release: Bell Celebrates Grand Opening of the MV-75 Cheyenne Wichita Assembly Center
Photo Credit: Bell
Defense & Military
First Brazil-Built Saab Gripen E Completes Maiden Flight
Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility flew the first Gripen E assembled outside Sweden on October 6, 2026.
The first Saab Gripen E fighter aircraft assembled outside of Sweden completed its maiden flight on October 6, 2026, at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil.
The successful flight validates a decade-long technology transfer program between Saab AB and Embraer S.A., establishing the only active supersonic fighter production line in South America. Embraer announced the milestone in a press release on October 7, 2026, marking a critical step toward delivering the locally produced aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
The maiden flight took place at 10:21 local time, piloted by Saab Chief Test Pilot Jakob Högberg. The event serves as the primary physical validation of the industrial partnership between the Swedish aerospace company and its Brazilian counterpart. Under the agreement, Embraer engineers and technicians received extensive training at Saab’s facilities in Linköping, Sweden, before returning to establish the parallel production line in São Paulo state.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, described the flight as a historic milestone for the country’s aerospace sector that confirms the success of the long-term strategy combining FAB’s vision, Saab’s technological expertise, and Embraer’s industrial capabilities.
“More than an achievement for the Gripen Program, this milestone demonstrates that the competencies developed over the years have become real and proven industrial capabilities in Brazil, strengthening our Defense Industrial Base and our ability to participate in highly complex global defense programs.” Marcus Wandt, Head of Saab’s Business Area Aeronautics, noted that the maiden flight proves the Brazilian production line has reached a new level of maturity, establishing a solid foundation for the fighter’s future development in the region.
The Brazilian Gripen Program, known as FX-2, originated with a 2014 contract in which the Brazilian government ordered 36 aircraft. The order comprises 28 single-seat Gripen E models and eight two-seat Gripen F models. The Brazilian Air Forces designates the aircraft as the F-39E and F-39F.
While the initial aircraft were manufactured entirely in Sweden, the contract mandated a comprehensive technology transfer to build long-term national competencies in Brazil. Embraer inaugurated the Gripen E final assembly line at Gavião Peixoto on May 9, 2023. The facility officially unveiled the first locally assembled airframe on March 25, 2026. Of the 36 aircraft in the initial order, 15 are planned for production at the Brazilian facility.
The Brazilian Air Force already operates the type. The Gripen E entered operational service with the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA) at Anápolis Air Base on December 19, 2022. Prior to this new locally built delivery, the 1st GDA operated 10 Gripen E fighters manufactured in Sweden. Following the completion of its flight-test campaign, this newly flown aircraft will be transferred to Goiás State to join the active fleet.
The maiden flight in Brazil follows closely behind another major program milestone. On August 28, 2026, the two-seat Gripen F variant completed its own maiden flight in Linköping. Brazil serves as the launch customer for the F model, which was developed jointly by Saab and Embraer engineers. The industrial footprint at Gavião Peixoto may expand beyond the initial 15 airframes. In July 2026, Embraer and Saab signed a Heads of Agreement to deepen their cooperation. The agreement contemplates the potential production of 20 additional Gripen aircraft in Latin America, allowing the Swedish manufacturer to offer regional assembly and technology transfer as part of future export packages.
We assess that the successful local production of the Gripen E fundamentally shifts Embraer’s position in the global defense market. By proving its ability to assemble a modern supersonic fighter, the Brazilian manufacturer not only secures its domestic defense industrial base but also creates a viable second export hub for Saab. This dual-production strategy could prove critical if Saab secures further orders in Latin America, allowing the Swedish manufacturer to offer regional assembly and technology transfer as part of future export packages.
For Embraer, the Gripen production line complements its success with the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Operating a live fighter production line elevates the company’s technical credentials when bidding for complex international defense contracts, proving that its engineering workforce can absorb and execute highly classified, third-party intellectual property at scale.
Validating the technology transfer program
Building South America’s supersonic production base
Expanding the Saab and Embraer partnership
AirPro News analysis
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
BAE Systems Wins F-35 EW Suite Contract for Lots 20-22
BAE Systems will manufacture the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite for F-35 Lots 20-22, covering new-build and retrofitted aircraft.
BAE Systems has secured a contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite for Lots 20 through 22 of the F-35 Lightning II program, sustaining production of the fighter’s critical electromagnetic defense capabilities.
The agreement, announced in an October 6, 2026 press release, ensures both new-build aircraft and retrofitted jets will receive the advanced systems required to detect, jam, and counter threats in contested airspace. Neither BAE Systems nor Lockheed Martin disclosed the financial value of the Lots 20-22 order.
The AN/ASQ-239 is the built-in electronic warfare (EW) suite for the F-35 Lightning II. The system provides 360-degree situational awareness, radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection capabilities. It is designed to detect and geolocate electronic emitters, allowing the aircraft to evade, engage, counter, or jam threats.
Amber Dolan, Vice President of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems, stated that the company has continuously evolved its EW hardware and software to maintain a decisive battlespace advantage for operators.
“We’re laser-focused on scaling production and delivering software-based capabilities to meet the rapid pace of conflict,” Dolan said. Manufacturing for the Lots 20-22 contract will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Austin, Texas, and the New Hampshire cities of Manchester, Merrimack, and Nashua.
The F-35 program is currently undergoing a major modernization effort known as Block 4, which relies heavily on upgraded electronic warfare capabilities and new processors under the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) initiative.
The EW upgrade has been described as the centerpiece of the Block 4 improvements, designed to outpace emerging threats and provide more powerful signal processing. On December 15, 2021, BAE Systems received a $493 million contract to upgrade the F-35’s EW system specifically for the Block 4 modernization program.
The F-35 serves as the primary fifth-generation fighter for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, alongside numerous allied nations. The EW suite is critical for the aircraft’s survivability in contested environments against modern integrated air defense systems, enemy fighters, and missiles.
BAE Systems has supplied the EW suite for every F-35 built, delivering over 1,500 units to date. The British multinational defense, security, and aerospace company employs over 110,000 people globally and operates across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Its US subsidiary, BAE Systems, Inc., is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.
We view the continuation of the AN/ASQ-239 production through Lots 20-22 as a critical stabilizing factor for the broader F-35 supply chain. While the financial terms of this specific lot order remain undisclosed, the electronic warfare suite represents the core of the aircraft’s survivability and lethality upgrades under the Block 4 framework. As global threat environments become increasingly contested by advanced integrated air defense systems, the ability of BAE Systems to scale production across its Texas and New Hampshire facilities will be a key metric in meeting the operational demands of the Air Forces and its international partners.
Sustaining the F-35’s electromagnetic defenses
The Block 4 modernization context
BAE Systems’ footprint in the program
AirPro News analysis
Photo Credit: BAE Systems
Defense & Military
First Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Block 72 Completes Test Flight
Lockheed Martin flew the first RMAF F-16 Block 72 on Oct. 6, 2026, advancing a $3.787B, 25-aircraft procurement.
Lockheed Martin completed the first test flight of a Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) F-16 Block 72 aircraft on October 6, 2026, at the manufacturer’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
The flight initiates the formal testing phase for the North African nation’s new fighter fleet before official deliveries begin. In a press release announcing the milestone, Lockheed Martin highlighted Morocco’s position as the launch customer for the Block 72 configuration, a variant distinguished by its Pratt & Whitney engines and advanced avionics.
The inaugural flight marks a critical step toward delivering the most advanced F-16 variant to the RMAF. According to reporting by aviation publication The War Zone, the specific aircraft flown in South Carolina was a two-seat F-16D model, and the test pilot utilized a Digital Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (D-JHMCS). Lockheed Martin will now put the aircraft through a comprehensive flight-testing program before the first official handover.
Mike Shoemaker, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, stated that the flight reflects meaningful progress on the program and serves as a critical step in strengthening the future airpower of the RMAF.
“The F-16 remains a vital component of today’s and future air defense, and we’re proud of the role it will continue to play in supporting Morocco’s sovereignty and contributing to regional stability for decades to come,” Shoemaker said. The U.S. State Department and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally approved the foreign military sale of 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft to Morocco on March 25, 2019. The DSCA estimated the value of the procurement package at $3.787 billion.
The Block 72 configuration introduces several fifth-generation capabilities to the fourth-generation airframe. Key upgrades include the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), modernized mission computers, updated avionics, and Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines. The acquisition is designed to improve interoperability with the United States and other regional allies during coalition operations.
The procurement of new airframes is part of a broader recapitalization effort for the RMAF, which currently operates a mixed fleet of F-16s, C-130s, advanced radar systems, and UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters. Concurrently with the 2019 Block 72 approval, the U.S. government cleared a $985 million upgrade package for Morocco’s existing fleet of 23 F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, bringing them up to the advanced F-16V standard, according to Defense News.
Alongside the aircraft procurement, Lockheed Martin is actively expanding its industrial footprint in Morocco to support the RMAF fleet locally. The defense contractor has partnered with Maintenance Aero Maroc to develop an 8,000-square-meter Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Benslimane.
The Benslimane facility will initially focus on heavy maintenance for the RMAF’s C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Lockheed Martin delivered its first C-130H to Morocco in 1974. The company plans to eventually expand the facility’s capabilities to service the incoming F-16 Block 72 fleet, supporting the Moroccan government’s objective of establishing a regional aerospace hub. Morocco’s position as the launch customer for the Block 72 and its concurrent fleet upgrades demonstrate a clear strategic alignment with United States defense architecture. By establishing domestic MRO capabilities alongside the acquisition of advanced platforms like the Block 72 and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the Royal Moroccan Air Forces is building a self-sustaining operational framework. This reduces reliance on foreign maintenance facilities and positions the country as a highly interoperable coalition partner in Africa.
Commencing the flight-test phase
Morocco’s fighter fleet modernization
Expanding domestic maintenance capabilities
AirPro News analysis
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
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