Bell Textron Marks 75 Years in Fort Worth Amid MV-75 and 525 Push

Bell Textron Inc. marked 75 years of aviation manufacturing in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 5, 2026, publishing a retrospective that connects its early commercial helicopter certifications to its ongoing development of the Bell 525 and the military Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor.

In a press release issued to commemorate the anniversary, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. detailed its historical footprint in the region, which began with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 21, 1951. The announcement serves as a strategic bridge between Bell’s legacy platforms and its current investments in next-generation rotorcraft production facilities.

Historical milestones and early rotorcraft

The manufacturer’s history predates its Texas expansion. In 1946, the Bell 47 became the first commercially certified helicopter. Shortly after, the Bell H-13 Sioux established early medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operational concepts during the Korean War in the early 1950s.

Following the establishment of its Fort Worth helicopter division in 1951, Bell expanded into experimental tiltrotor technology. The company achieved the first flight of the Bell XV-15 experimental tiltrotor in 1977. This development laid the groundwork for subsequent military platforms including the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey.

Modern commercial and military programs

The retrospective highlights Bell’s current flagship programs, which are advancing through certification and production phases. The Bell 525 commercial helicopter is currently undergoing post-type-certification cold weather and icing expansion testing in Yellowknife, Canada, and Marquette, Michigan. The manufacturer is targeting FAA certification for the Bell 525 in 2026.

On the military side, the U.S. Army officially designated Bell’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) as the Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II on April 15, 2026. To support this program, Bell announced plans in March 2026 to construct a $632 million manufacturing facility in the AllianceTexas development of North Fort Worth. The 448,000-square-foot plant will produce rotor blades and transmissions for the MV-75.

AirPro News analysis

We view Bell’s 75-year retrospective as a calculated messaging effort to reinforce its industrial stability as it transitions into the production phase of the MV-75 Cheyenne II. The $632 million investment in the AllianceTexas facility demonstrates a long-term commitment to the Fort Worth region, ensuring the area remains a primary hub for advanced tiltrotor manufacturing. The concurrent push to certify the Bell 525 in 2026 indicates that Bell is balancing its heavy military commitments with a sustained presence in the commercial super-medium market.

Sources: Bell Newsroom (Retrospective)