Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and Boeing on January 25 released video of their advanced helicopter for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competition, known as FLRAA. The aircraft, named Defiant X, will be the fastest, most maneuverable and most survivable assault helicopter in history. Sikorsky and partner Boeing have created an agile, maneuverable weapon system that flies twice as far and twice as fast as the Black Hawk — and fits in the same operational footprint. Combined with Sikorsky-Boeing’s unsurpassed experience in mission systems, training and sustainment, DEFIANT X will revolutionize the way the Army meets threats in 2035 and beyond.
X2 speed, combined with next-generation flight control maneuverability, will dominate in future Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) environments. X2 Technology offers revolutionary flight-control design that will enable deceleration and acceleration that is truly transformational. X2-rotor design will ensure extraordinary flight stability, safety and assurance in the most rigorous of tactical operations. DEFIANT X will be equipped with a proven optionally piloted flight control system that will enable more reliable and safer operations in low altitude, obstacle-rich environments or in degraded, uncertain conditions.
With unmatched range and survivability, DEFIANT X will change the way the Army fights – enabling crews to fly low and fast through complex terrain, where Army aviators spend most of their time. DEFIANT X incorporates Sikorsky X2 Technologyâ„¢ to operate at high speeds while maintaining low-speed handling qualities. This critical capability provides pilots with increased maneuverability and survivability in high-threat air defense environments, allowing them to penetrate enemy defenses while reducing exposure to enemy fire. DEFIANT X’s compound co-axial rotor system and pusher prop allows for a high degree of maneuverability in and around the objective which is also directly linked to survivability.
Together, Sikorsky and Boeing have built more than 90 percent of the U.S. Army’s current military rotorcraft and have totaled more than 15 million flight hours. The team that has produced iconic military rotorcraft including: Black Hawk, Chinook and Apache, and they are in the best position to deliver interoperability with the enduring fleet. DEFIANT X will leverage an established, low-risk manufacturing capability that is augmented by a proven digital thread and advanced manufacturing processes in use today on the Black Hawk, Combat Rescue Helicopter and CH-53K. Sikorsky and Boeing’s experience in JADO capabilities make the DEFIANT X team the best team to deliver a holistic weapons system to the U.S. Army.
