Oh My: Meet the Successor of the Black Hawk Helicopter, The FLRAA
When viewed with a total mind to its requirements and new technological capabilities, the FLRAA may be destined to be “much more” than a Black Hawk.
More lethal, semi-autonomous, slightly stealthy, and twice the speed and range of a Black Hawk helicopter are just a few of the terms used to describe the Army’s emerging Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), a now-underway developmental effort slated to deploy by 2030.
Calling it a future Black Hawk would both be correct and reductive, as the new aircraft will assume all of the utility helicopter missions such as infantry transport, MEDEVAC, cargo delivery, and some reconnaissance, the new FLRAA will likely take on an even broader mission scope given that it is being architected for warfare in the 2030s and beyond. Case in point, an Army report described the new aircraft as something which will “augment” and not necessarily “replace” the Black Hawk.
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Jan 28, 2021 05:45 AM EST
The Futuristic Defiant X is competing for the U.S. Army s contract as the next high-tech helicopter. It will be fast and with new rotor technology never before seen on convention helicopters.
Next-generation helicopters or rotorcraft of the U.S. Army will be based on the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Winners of the contract will replace current helicopters in use with the U.S. Army.
The next-generation helicopter
Officials of Sikorsky and Boeing have revealed their next-generation helicopter with a coaxial rotor. It has similarities to the SB1 Defiant, but the manufacturer has added more upgrades that will serve the troops when flying into combat, reported the Military.
Futuristic Defiant X in Running to Become Army s Future Long-Range Assault Helicopter
Sikorsky and Boeing released details of the DEFIANT X helicopter designed for the U.S. Army. (Courtesy Sikorsky and Boeing)
25 Jan 2021
Sikorsky and Boeing Co. have unveiled the futuristic helicopter they re proposing to be the U.S. Army s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft.
In a series of mockup photos and videos, Sikorsky and Boeing officials on Monday revealed Defiant X: a compound coaxial helicopter, like its predecessor the SB>1 Defiant, but with significant upgrades for troops headed into combat zones. We ve made some . enhancements to the design to help reduce thermal signature and improve aerodynamic handling, Heather McBryan, director of sales and marketing for Boeing s Vertical Lift program, told reporters last week ahead of the announcement.
Sikorsky and Boeing Unveil New Helicopter that Could Replace US Army Black Hawk
The coaxial helicopter is based on the companies’ Defiant prototype.
Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky and Boeing have unveiled a new compound coaxial helicopter that they hope will one day replace the U.S. Army’s venerable Black Hawk helicopter.
The companies billed their Defiant-X as the “fastest, most maneuverable and most survivable assault helicopter in history.” The design is based on the SB>1 tech demonstrator aircraft jointly built by the two companies in recent years.
“We ve made some enhancements to design to help reduce thermal signature and improve aerodynamic handling,” Heather McBryan, Boeing’s sales and marketing director for Future Vertical Lift, said in a call with reporters on Friday ahead of Monday’s announcement.
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Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. on January 25, 2021 at 6:31 AM
Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant-X
WASHINGTON: Sikorsky and Boeing did “hundreds of trade studies” and consulted extensively with the Army to refine their SB>1 Defiant compound helicopter into the new Defiant-X, officially unveiled today.
What’s the difference? The companies were cagey about details, and they said they may make further tweaks. But between their guarded statements and the keen eyes of fellow reporters on the conference call, we can highlight a few visible changes in the images released today:
Defiant-X has beefed up landing gear, having gained a nose wheel that the SB>1 Defiant lacked. (SB>1 had two large wheels forward and a small wheel on the tail – check out these close-ups). This almost certainly adds weight, but, the companies said, it will improve stability on rugged frontline landing zones.