Bell and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have entered a pact to explore potential for the developmental MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor for the South Korean market.

The memorandum of understanding between the two companies addresses Seoul’s High Speed Medium Utility Helicopter (HUSMH) programme, according to Bell.

The pair will look at modular open systems that will allow Seoul to modify the weapons carried by the tiltrotor. The two companies will also explore areas for industrial cooperation.

“Bell is excited to work with KAI,” says Jeff Schloesser, Bell’s senior vice-president, strategic pursuits.

“MV-75 represents the next generation of vertical lift. HSMUH presents another opportunity to extend the reach of this advanced capability and interoperability with US allies and partners.”

The nascent HUSMH programme has been mooted for several years.  A potential rival for any formal requirement might be Korean Air, which has conducted work on a tiltrotor design that outwardly resembles the MV-75.

US and South Korean forces operate closely together, which includes operating similar vertical lift platforms. Both forces operate large numbers of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks. Many UH-60s in US Army service will eventually be replaced by MV-75s.

In April 2025, Korean Air – in partnership with LIG Nex1 and Collins Aerospace – was named as the preferred bidder in a programme to upgrade 36 UH-60s in service with the South Korean military, defeating a rival bid from KAI and Hanwha Systems.

The work will extend the helicopters’ service life to the 2040-2045 timeframe.

Separately, Bell has formally opened an assembly location in Wichita that will build fuselages for the MV-75.  The company had already started producing fuselages at the location since October 2025, as part of accelerated efforts by the US Army to field the type.