Bell Textron Partners with Marotta Controls for MV-75 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft Power Inverter Development

Bell Textron has selected Marotta Controls to design and produce a power inverter system for the MV-75 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)—the next-generation vertical-lift platform under development for the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.

The inverter will deliver power to several onboard systems while maintaining the aircraft’s emphasis on lightweight construction and energy efficiency. According to Marotta, this system will enhance electrical reliability and optimize power management for critical subsystems such as fuel pumps and avionics.

Expanding Marotta’s Capabilities

The agreement marks Marotta Controls’ first collaboration with Bell Textron and represents the company’s entry into DC-to-AC power conversion technology.
Steve Fox, Senior Vice President for Power and Actuation Systems at Marotta Controls, stated that the partnership “demonstrates how advanced power system design can align with modern aviation requirements,” noting that the inverter’s design leverages decades of experience in compact, high-performance power components.

Supporting the US Army’s Modernization Goals

The MV-75—Bell’s designation for its FLRAA tiltrotor platform—has been developed to replace portions of the Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache fleets. Designed as part of the Future Vertical Lift initiative, the MV-75 aims to provide significantly improved speed, range, and payload capacity over current rotary-wing aircraft.

The aircraft will feature tiltrotor technology, enabling vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter but achieving cruise speeds comparable to fixed-wing aircraft. This design offers the Army greater operational flexibility in long-range assault, medical evacuation, and logistics missions.

MV-75 Specifications (Expected)

• Manufacturer: Bell Textron

• Program: Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)

• Crew: 4 (including pilots and crew chiefs)

• Length: Approximately 51 feet (15.5 meters)

• Rotor Diameter: Around 35 feet (10.6 meters) each

• Maximum Speed: Estimated 280 knots (520 km/h)

• Range: Over 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles) with auxiliary fuel

• Payload Capacity: Approximately 4,500–5,500 kg (10,000–12,000 lb)

• Propulsion: Twin tiltrotor engines with advanced digital flight controls

Program Timeline and Induction

The FLRAA program formally began in 2019, with Bell’s V-280 Valor prototype selected by the US Army in December 2022 as the baseline for the MV-75. The Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase is currently underway, focusing on detailed design, component integration, and flight testing.

Initial low-rate production is expected by 2029, with full operational capability (FOC) projected for the early 2030s. The aircraft will gradually phase into service, complementing and eventually replacing older assault helicopter variants.

Strategic Alignment

Marotta Controls’ inclusion in the MV-75 supply chain strengthens the US defense industrial base and supports the Army’s push toward modular, power-dense, and reliable onboard systems. Fox noted that participation in the program “positions Marotta to play a role in future-generation aircraft platforms across the US defense ecosystem.”

As the Army continues to modernize its aviation fleet under the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program, partnerships like Bell and Marotta’s are key to integrating advanced power and actuation systems critical to sustained performance in complex operational environments.