Competing teams developing prototypes for next-generation military helicopter to replace the Black Hawk

Dec. 6, 2021
Each prototype will rely on X2 technology that includes two counter-rotating rigid rotors and a rear-mounted pusher propulsor instead of a tail rotor.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – As technology advances throughout the world, so does military defense and intelligence. Right now the army is searching for the future military helicopter, through the Future Vertical Lift Program, or FVL. WHNT reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

6 Dec. 2021 -- The Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing team has debuted a new facility in Huntsville, Ala., to help create what officials hope will become the next generation of rotorcraft. Huntsville now has a simulation of one of these aircraft where current and future pilots ultimately can train.

For more than 40 years, the UH-60 Black Hawk has led the way for American military helicopters. Sikorsky made the iconic Black Hawk helicopter and is now working on two prototypes that company officials hope will be named as the future of military helicopters the Raider X and Defiant X.

With this design, the developers say their helicopters will maintain all of the capabilities of the Black Hawk while being nearly twice as fast, twice as maneuverable. All while being quieter and changing the way the military flies and fights.

Related: Vertical-lift future aircraft for Black Hawk replacement enters new development phase; downselect next year

Related: Army asks industry for open-systems avionics technologies for future attack and reconnaissance helicopters

Related: Bell Helicopter debuts Bell V-280 Valor military tiltrotor

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

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