Sikorsky S-97 Raider
The Sikorsky S -97 Raider X2 is a configured combat and transport helicopters of the U.S. company Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
Development
The helicopter based on the Sikorsky X2 and was announced to the public on October 20, 2010. It is being developed on the basis of the Armed Aerial Scout (AAS ) program of the United States Army as a replacement for the Bell OH - 58th Sikorsky announced to want to make two prototypes. The first flight should therefore take place within the next 40 bis 50 months around 2014. A first mock-up was shown in late 2010 at the annual conference of the Association of the U.S. Army.
Construction
The S -97 will be larger and heavier than the technology testbed X2. But it will also have an opposite coaxial rotor with rigid blades and an additional pusher propeller at the rear. The rotor and the propellers are powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines. The planned cruising speed is clearly the lie with 370-407 km / h below the speed limit already reached X2 of 463 km / h.
The cabin is intended to obtain a modular configuration, which can also swap in combat conditions. The reconnaissance variant would thereby obtained at the expense of transport capacity, an additional fuel tank. In the attack configuration would offer the cabin space to carry six fully equipped soldiers, as in the Mil Mi -24. Target are greater maneuverability, higher resistance under conditions of use and the possibility of using at high altitudes. In addition, the Raider has a significantly smaller turning radius and significantly reduced noise signature than conventional helicopters. As a possible main customer sees Sikorsky the U.S. Army. The first flight is currently scheduled for 2014 or 2015.