Bell has shown its MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor in a new configuration adapted for USMC use, sporting multiple armament provisions, including a nose gun.
Marine MV-75 Cheyenne II shown during Modern Day Marine sports multiple options for armament to support close-range and anti-surface warfare operations.
The armed marine configuration has been displayed as a scaled model with Kongsberg’s NSM cruise missiles mounted on the front fuselage sides and Common Launch Tubes (CLT) that can be fitted with UAVs and munitions. Interestingly, a turreted rotary cannon (Likely 20 mm) is present as well for close air support.
Other than what is seen from the scaled model, folding wings and rotors are more than likely to be present on USMC MV-75s, as they have to be efficiently stored inside LHA or LPD hangars.
If USMC goes through with MV-75, it would be set to succeed UH-1Y naval utility helicopters and AH-1Z attack helicopters with better flight performance and payload capacity.
To support this, the USMC is already considering the replacement of both helicopters, which are based on a many-decades-old design, by 2040 with a single platform, as reported by Aviation Week. Moreover, MV-75, with room for other missions, such as anti-submarine warfare, which the service has been interested in improving, can pave new paths.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
