Sikorsky
and Boeing provided the first look at the new Defiant helicopter. The
aircraft’s rotor system will allow it to fly about twice as fast and twice as
far as today’s conventional helicopters. (Courtesy Sikorsky-Boeing Team)
Here’s
the first look at the Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant helicopter
By: Jill Aitoro
WASHINGTON — Sikorsky and Boeing provided the first look at
the Defiant helicopter, one of two designs competing under the U.S. Army’s
Joint Multi-Role technology demonstrator program, two weeks after confirming
the first flight would be delayed until 2019.
The Joint Multi-Role
Technology Demonstrator effort will inform requirements for the U.S. Army’s FVL
family of systems, which will come online in the 2030s.
Sikorsky and Boeing provided the first look at the new Defiant helicopter. The aircraft’s rotor system will allow it to fly about twice as fast and twice as far as today’s conventional helicopters. (Courtesy Sikorsky-Boeing Team)
The Defiant is designed to fly at twice the speed and range
of today’s conventional helicopters and offers advanced agility and
maneuverability, according to the Sikorsky-Boeing team. Data from the Defiant
will help the Army develop requirements for new utility helicopters expected to
enter service in the early 2030s.
The Defiant’s first
flight was bumped to 2019 following a technical issue discovered during ground
tests. Competitor Bell’s V-280 Valor
tilt-rotor aircraft has
been flying since December 2017.
Source: defensenews.com
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