Sections

Sikorsky and Boeing finally reveal what might be the Army’s new chopper

1 DEFIANTu2122 helicopter. The aircraftu2019s rotor system will allow it to fly about twice as fast and twice as far as todayu2019s conventional helicopters. Courtesy Sikorsky-Boeing Team.","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Sikorsky-Boeing-Defiant 2","orientation":"0"}” data-image-title=”Sikorsky-Boeing-Defiant 2″ data-medium-file=”https://i1.wp.com/thenewsrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Defiant.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i1.wp.com/thenewsrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Defiant.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1″ data-lazy-srcset=” https://i1.wp.com/thenewsrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Defiant.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/thenewsrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Defiant.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/thenewsrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Defiant.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1 750w, https://i1.wp.com/thenewsrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Defiant.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1 2000w” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px” srcset=”data:image/gif;base64,https://thenewsrep.com/files/112080/r0lgodlhaqabaiaaaaaaap///yh5baeaaaaalaaaaaabaaeaaaibraa7″/>

Courtesy Sikorsky-Boeing

by ·

Following much speculation, Sikorsky and Boeing have finally revealed their new prototype helicopter, which is vying to become the U.S. Army’s next utility helicopter. There are two contestants left in the Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme, which will produce the next generation utility helicopter. Competing with the SB-1 Defiant is the Bell V-280 Valor.

The Army uses the Joint Multi-Role demonstrator programme to assess the two airframes, which are quite different, and then decide which is more desirable for the Army’s future operational requirements. The data that will be gathered from the SB-1s and V-280s protoflights will enable the Army to decide the requirements for the FVL. The new helicopter is expected to enter service early in the next decade.

The SB-1 is a coaxial chopper, meaning that it has two rotors on the same axle, which makes it more reliable and decreases maintenance time and costs. On the other hand, the V-280 is a tiltrotor chopper, meaning that it has two rotors mounted on two fixed-wings — it resembles the V-22 Osprey. The V-280 has been conducting test flights since December 2017.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING.

Your subscription is important and supports our editorial integrity. Advertisers are sometimes afraid of being associated with controversial news topics, and your subscription is vital to ensuring we can continue to publish the courageous news we are known and respected for.

Get Insider Access and Expert Analysis Today

SUBSCRIBE NOW

or Log In

BECAUSE, FACTS DON’T TAKE SIDES

Your Subscription Supports Honest News Efforts

TRY 4 WEEKS FOR $1.99

Comments

Join our community. To comment on this article please join/login.
Here’s a sample of the comments on this post.

  • Stavros Atlamazoglou

    Mason,
    Solid questions. But Sikorsky-Boeing haven’t revealed any footage of the ground testing, just the pics. My guess is that the main rotors will work in conjunction with the tail rotor.

  • Mason

    Twin rotor, push prop, droool. Must have. Serious question, rotors are counter rotating, negating torque moment arm twist? so no counter torque tail prop, just the push prop?