Posted on 06/26/2014 10:30:14 AM PDT by robowombat
Sikorsky and Boeing Team Submit New Army Helicopter Design
By: Dave Majumdar Published: June 17, 2014 2:00 PM Updated: June 17, 2014 2:00 PM
A joint Sikorsky-Boeing team has submitted their initial design for a new high-speed compound helicopter called the SB-1 Defiant to the U.S. Army.
“Last week we submitted our initial design and risk report to the customer,” said Doug Shidler, one of the two co-program directors for the industry team, during a Tuesday teleconference. “Next week we will be conducting our initial design and risk review with them.”
The high-speed compound helicopter design is the team’s entry into the Army’s Joint Multirole (JMR) risk reduction effort for the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program that is intended to replace the long-serving Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk.
Eventually, a derivative of the FVL could replace the U.S. Navy’s MH-60S/R helicopters under the MH-XX program—the service is a partner on the Army led effort.
Thus far, Shidler said that the Sikorsky-Boeing team has completed a preliminary design review for the Defiant aircraft and are about to start working on the detailed design. There will be a final design and risk review next year, Shidler said. If all goes as planned, the Defiant will fly in 2017.
The FVL aircraft could enter service in the 2030s if the Pentagon funds the program to fruition—but given the uncertainly of future budgets, it is not a foregone conclusion.
While the team will not share the specific performance of the SB-1 aircraft, the general design requirements for the FVL call for a cruise speed of 230 knots, a range of 424 kilometers and hovering at 6000ft density altitude during a 95 degree Fahrenheit day.
To achieve those performance targets—especially the speed component, which is beyond the capabilities of any conventional helicopter—the aircraft uses co-axial rigid rotors coupled with a propulsor unit. The Sikorsky X-2 high-speed prototype aircraft pioneered the design concept that is being used on Defiant a few years ago. There are four competitors in the JMR demonstration effort—the Sikorsky-Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Karem Aircraft and AVX.
They’ll be with ISIS in no time. tee hee
Is it true that them counter-rotating blades on the helicopters will confuse the fire control radars tracking them? (/s)
“Is it true that them counter-rotating blades on the helicopters will confuse the fire control radars tracking them? (/s)”
Not as much as putting foil under the hub caps will/S!!!
The Obama Fubar-copter.. used for clearing air to air missles..
Other measures are in the plan. But staying below the radar horizon will remain a principal part of survival strategy.
TC
I’m tired of the bigotry of naming helicopters after Indian tribes. Let’s call this one “The Honkey”.
I’m not sure, but my office-spy-drone has not been seen on the local military radar yet!
Coincidence?
Let’s just buy the Russian models and save about half the money...
“”range of 424 kilometers and hovering at 6000ft density altitude during a 95 degree Fahrenheit day.””
Not very impressive high and hot capabilities. That density altitude is Atlanta on a hot summer day.
My air park is near Sikorsky in West Palm.
Some pretty wild pooh comes out of their private airport.
A 95 degree day at Centennial airport, Denver area,gives a density altitude usually around 10,200. Only being able to hover at 6,000 at 95 degrees is only half of what it needs.
Where are they going to put the propeller and won't they make the Sisko Angry?
Headline “Today a US Honkey crashed outside Nashville”.
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