Boeing-Sikorsky announced the early delivery of its proposed Defiant X to the US Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Program. The delivery of the proposal comes amid flight tests of the SB-1 Defiant demonstrator, on which the Defiant X is based.
Monday the portal Flightglobal, The manufacturers did not provide a reason for making the proposal in advance, but said that data obtained from test flights of the SB-1 was added to the documents. Recently, the SB-1 had a successful test where a cargo weighing more than two tons was lifted by the helicopter.
The SB-1 competes against Bell's V-280 Valor demonstrator in the program to find a replacement for the UH-60 Black Hawk, the main transport helicopter in service with the US Army. The US Army wants the new aircraft to have a maximum cruising speed of 519km/h, a combat radius of 556km and a maximum range of at least 4518km.
Although the V-280 is faster, Boeing-Sikorsky emphasizes the SB-1's performance in the landing and takeoff phases of the flight. “The Defiant X delivers speed where it counts, survivability, unsured power, maneuverability, superior handling in any environment and lower lifecycle costs – while operating in the same space as the [Sikorsky UH-60] Black Hawk. ”, said the manufacturers in a statement issued last Tuesday (07).
The Defiant X will have some differences from the SB-1. Engine exhaust will be covered to lessen the infrared signature; while the SB-1 has a nose gear, the Defiant X should receive a front landing gear, featuring a tricycle configuration and the The rear edge of the Defiant X's vertical stabilizers will be V-shaped.
The US Army is expected to choose the FLRAA winner and issue an initial production contract in 2022, with it expected to introduce its first new utility helicopter starting in 2030.
