Stratford-based Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., recently began what it terms “bladed ground testing” of the S-97 Raider helicopter. Sikorsky unveiled the helicopter last October.
The company called grounded blade testing “a major milestone” for the helicopter, “signaling the start of activities in the program”™s test flight phase.”
- An S-97 Raider helicopter. File photo
“Testing all of the aircraft’s systems together, for the first time, marks significant progress in the development of this next generation helicopter and moves the program closer to first flight,” said Mark Hammond, S-97 Raider program manager.
The helicopters are designed to carry six troops, plus two pilots, and cruise at 253 mph (220 knots), more than twice as fast as conventional choppers, according to Sikorsky.
The vehicle is billed as “the new ”“ and first ”“ armed reconnaissance rotorcraft featuring X2 technology designed for military missions.” In the X2 system, the helicopter”™s two rotors run counter to each other and there is a pusher propeller.
Sikorsky reportedly will offer the Raider as a replacement for the U.S. Army”™s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter fleet and as a special operations platform. The helicopter weighs 11,000 pounds and will be capable of carrying multiple weapon and sensor arrays, Sikorsky said.
The Raider is being developed by Sikorsky ”“ bearing 75 percent of development costs ”“ and Sikorsky suppliers who are carrying the remaining 25 percent. Two prototypes are involved with this phase of the testing, one of which is fully assembled and another still to be assembled.
“We look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the Raider”™s revolutionary performance and unmatched maneuverability for the U.S. Army,” said Steve Engebretson, director of advanced military programs at Sikorsky.
