Sikorsky S-97 Raider makes debut test flight

Sikorsky has completed a first flight of the self-funded S-97 Raider, to open a year-long test and demonstration phase for the high-speed, compound helicopter proposed for light attack, scout and special utility missions.
The S-97’s coaxial-compound, rigid-rotor configuration will eventually be tested at speeds up to 220kt – or about 50kt faster than the speed limit of most conventional helicopters – but the maiden flight on 22 May focused on exploring the low-speed envelope in a degraded mode of the fly-by-wire system.
Sikorsky chief pilot completed three take-offs and landings during the hour-long sortie and evaluated the aircraft’s handling in all four cardinal directions at speeds up to 10kt.
Sikorsky launched the S-97 project in 2010 after completing a series of record-breaking demonstration flights of the X2.
The S-97 flies faster than most helicopters because it replaces a tail-rotor with a pusher propeller, which was left deactivated for the first flight test.
flightglobal

S-97 Raider Helicopter Unveiled

Sikorsky unveiled its first S-97 Raider prototype Thursday, kicking off the test flight phase of the experimental helicopter program.
The Raider is Sikorsky’s planned entry to replace the US Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior fleet.
The Raider prototype is based on the X-2 technology that Sikorsky developed in the late 2000s, with some key differences. Where the X-2 demonstrator was a one-person, 5,000-pound platform, the Raider is roughly 11,000 pounds with room for six troops for combat assault missions; if those troops aren’t needed, that space can be used to hold extra equipment or ammunition.
Sikorsky has expressed confidence it will go hand in hand with unmatched speed. The company has claimed speeds of 220 knots (253 mph), which would be significantly faster than conventional military rotorcraft.
defensenews

New Sikorsky S-97 Raider similar to the mysterious Stealth “Osama Bin Laden raid” helicopter?

This week, Sikorsky is expected to start the assembly of the S-97 Raider helicopter prototype.
The helicopter, among the choppers pitched for the U.S. Army’s Armed Aerial Scout program, to replace the Army’s aging fleet of OH-58 Kiowa Warriors, in use since the late 1960s, features a futuristic shape (compared to that of current helos) and is based on Sikorsky’s X-2 technology.
The S-97 will be a high-speed helicopter with coaxial main rotors and pusher propeller with a capability to either accomodate six troops or sensor in addition to the two pilots in the typical side-by-side cockpit.
The image of the first fuselage, released by Sikorsky, brings to light some interesting details about the Raider and a loose similarity with the MH-X Stealth Black Hawk helicopter exposed by the Osama Bin Laden raid.
Not only the Raider’s nose section is compatible with the concept I developed with AviationGraphic’s Ugo Crisponi in 2011 but the new chopper features a retractable landing gear is a feature that we thought was among the things that could keep the MH-X stealth and silent.
Most probably the MH-X (whose shape remains unknown) is different from the S-97, however it is safe to believe tha Sikorsky has embedded some of the features developed for the secret, radar evading U.S. Army Stealth Black Hawk used by the Navy SEALs at Abbottabad in May 2011, in the new chopper pitched to the Army.
theaviationist

Sikorsky S-97 Raider Begins Final Assembly

Sikorsky will begin final assembly of its S-97 Raider helicopter prototype this week.
That puts the helicopter manufacturer — which is competing for the US Army’s Armed Aerial Scout program — on track for a first flight at the end of 2014.
The Raider is based on the X-2 technology developed by Sikorsky in the late 2000s, but grows the size and weight significantly. Where the X-2 demonstrator was a one-person, 5,000-pound platform, the Raider will be roughly 11,000 pounds with room for six troops in its combat assault mode. In reconnaissance mode, that space could be used for extra equipment or ammunition.
Despite that growth, Sikorsky executives are confident the design will bring a mix of speed and maneuverability that helicopters have not yet achieved.
defensenews

Sikorsky starts construction of S-97 Raider prototypes

Sikorsky has started building two prototype S-97 Raider high-speed compound helicopters for the US Army's prospective Armed Aerial Scout programme.

flightglobal

Sikorsky presenta el helicóptero rápido de exploración y ataque S-97/ S-97 Sikorsky unveils S-97 for high-speed scout and attack helo

Basado en el prototipo X2, Sikorsky ha presentado el helicóptero rápido de exploración y ataque S-97 Raider.
El S-97 llevaría armamento y podría transportar tropas, como el helicóptero ruso Mil Mi-24 Hind, aunque a una velocidad mayor, de hasta 200 nudos (370km/h) en crucero, y 220 nudos en velocidad máxima.
Con este helicóptero, Sikorsky pretendería sustituir al Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior en el US Army.
Para tal fin Bell Helicopter ya ha presentado un OH-58D mejorado y EADS North America junto a Lockheed Martin, ha presentado un EC145 denominado AS645.
El S-97 transportará seis soldados totalmente equipados y podrá volar hasta los 10.000 piés.
El helicóptero podría ser adoptado por el US Marine Corps como escolta del Boeing V-22 Osprey, y es el primer helicóptero que Sikorsky lanza tras la cancelación del Sikorsky/Boeing RAH-66 Comanche en 2004.
flightglobal.com
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Building upon the record-breaking X2 demonstrator, Sikorsky has launched the S-97 Raider programme to fly and test a high-speed scout and attack helicopter.
The helicopter, will carry weapons and troops like the Russian Mil Mi-24 Hind, but fly faster than 200kt (370km) in cruise, and 220kts in dash mode.
Unveiling the S-97 programme on 20 October, Sikorsky intends to challenge the US Army's requirements staff as they consider options for replacing the Bell Helicopter OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.
Two weeks ago, Bell Helicopter unveiled a new demonstrator project to re-engine a Kiowa with a Honeywell HTS900-2 engine. EADS North America has teamed with Lockheed Martin to convert an EC145 single-rotor helicopter into the AS645 armed scout.
The S-97 is designed to hover carrying six, fully equipped soldiers. If the payload is only weapons, sensors and fuel, the S-97's hover ceiling rises to 10,000ft.
The aircraft also could be adopted by the US Marine Corps as a high-speed, armed escort for the BellBoeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.
The S-97 is the first all-new helicopter that Sikorsky has launched since the army cancelled the Sikorsky/Boeing RAH-66 Comanche in February 2004.
flightglobal.com