autoevolution
 

Sikorsky Shows Off Fancy S-97 Raider, Helicopter Looks Ready for Business

The future of military helicopters will never be the same once all the ongoing projects are completed and accepted into service. From tilt-rotors to attack choppers, America’s armed forces are looking to revamp pretty much everything in this segment.
Sikorsky S-97 Raider 5 photos
Photo: Sikorsky
Sikorsky S-97 RaiderSikorsky S-97 RaiderSikorsky S-97 RaiderSikorsky S-97 Raider
As far as attack helicopters go, there are presently two significant ongoing programs. The first is called Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and aims to find a replacement for the aging Black Hawk. The most advanced proposal in this segment seems to be the Defiant X, developed by Boeing with Sikorsky.

But Sikorsky is involved in another project as well, one designed for the simpler Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. Working together with parent company Lockheed Martin on this initiative, Sikorsky came up with something called S-97 Raider (project name Raider X).

In the middle of April, the company showed off the helicopter at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, in front of Army representatives. There were two flight demonstrations conducted, targeting low-level maneuverability and high-speed capability, and you can have a taste of how all went in the video attached below.

"The combination of the coaxial rotors and the propulsor are really the enablers for this transformational technology. As we demonstrated today, in low-speed flight we are as capable as a conventional helicopter, but when we engage the prop, we are able to operate in a whole new way – it's much more like flying an airplane," one of the pilots of the S-97 said in a statement.

The prototype you see here is the only helicopter meant for the FARA program that is currently in operation. It is the one used by Sikorsky to develop both the Raider X and Defiant X further.

The Army plans to replace the Black Hawk sometime next decade, so the development of both these new machines is likely to accelerate over the coming years.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
press release
About the author: Daniel Patrascu
Daniel Patrascu profile photo

Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories