Sikorsky recently unveiled the first of its two S-97 RAIDER helicopter prototypes. According to the United Technologies subsidiary, this event marks the beginning of the armed reconnaissance helicopter’s flight tests aimed at providing the US Army with its next generation of combat rotorcraft.
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The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER is a multi-mission helicopter, which has a 15% smaller footprint than conventional helicopters, according to the company. The S-97 RAIDER is wholly funded by private investment with Sikorsky funding 75% of the costs and 53 principal suppliers providing the rest. It is based on Sikorsky’s X2 technology, which features a pair of fixed coaxial rotors made of rigid, counter-rotating blades along with a six-blade pusher propeller for propulsion.
According to Sikorsky, this arrangement, along with fly-by-wire flight controls and active vibration control, provides not only a reduction in hub drag, but also a low acoustic signature, high cruise speed and improved high/hot hover performance.
Sikorsky intends the S-97 RAIDER as a multi-mission craft that will act as a replacement for the US Army’s OH-58D KIOWA WARRIOR helicopter or the Special Forces’ MH-6 LITTLE BIRD. Depending on how it is equipped, it can be used for armed recce, light attack, light assault, search and rescue (SAR), or casualty evacuation.
To achieve this, the S-97 has a composite fuselage for a take-off weight of 11,000lb (4,990kg) and is powered by a single General Electric YT706 engine putting out 2,600bhp (1,900kW). With its length of 35ft (11m) and rotor diameter of 34ft (10m), it can still carry a crew of two seated side by side, along with six troops or extra fuel and munitions. The production version may also be capable of autonomous flight. Sikorsky says that the S-97 RAIDER has a cruising speed of 253mph (407km/h, 220kn), which is more than double the speed of conventional helicopters, and pulls three G’s in the turns for greater agility. It has a range of 308nmi (354mi, 570km), flight endurance of 2hr 40min, and a service ceiling of 10,000ft (3,048m). The copter can carry a selection of armaments, including a 50 calibre or 7.62mm machine gun with 500 rounds, a 7-shot rocket pod with 2.75 in rockets, or HELLFIRE missiles.
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The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER is a multi-mission helicopter, which has a 15% smaller footprint than conventional helicopters, according to the company. The S-97 RAIDER is wholly funded by private investment with Sikorsky funding 75% of the costs and 53 principal suppliers providing the rest. It is based on Sikorsky’s X2 technology, which features a pair of fixed coaxial rotors made of rigid, counter-rotating blades along with a six-blade pusher propeller for propulsion.
According to Sikorsky, this arrangement, along with fly-by-wire flight controls and active vibration control, provides not only a reduction in hub drag, but also a low acoustic signature, high cruise speed and improved high/hot hover performance.
Sikorsky intends the S-97 RAIDER as a multi-mission craft that will act as a replacement for the US Army’s OH-58D KIOWA WARRIOR helicopter or the Special Forces’ MH-6 LITTLE BIRD. Depending on how it is equipped, it can be used for armed recce, light attack, light assault, search and rescue (SAR), or casualty evacuation.
To achieve this, the S-97 has a composite fuselage for a take-off weight of 11,000lb (4,990kg) and is powered by a single General Electric YT706 engine putting out 2,600bhp (1,900kW). With its length of 35ft (11m) and rotor diameter of 34ft (10m), it can still carry a crew of two seated side by side, along with six troops or extra fuel and munitions. The production version may also be capable of autonomous flight. Sikorsky says that the S-97 RAIDER has a cruising speed of 253mph (407km/h, 220kn), which is more than double the speed of conventional helicopters, and pulls three G’s in the turns for greater agility. It has a range of 308nmi (354mi, 570km), flight endurance of 2hr 40min, and a service ceiling of 10,000ft (3,048m). The copter can carry a selection of armaments, including a 50 calibre or 7.62mm machine gun with 500 rounds, a 7-shot rocket pod with 2.75 in rockets, or HELLFIRE missiles.
