Sikorsky unveils S-97 Raider helicopter in Florida
Stratford-based Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., recently unveiled the first of two S-97 Raider helicopter prototypes in Florida, “signaling the start of activities in the program”™s test flight phase,” the company said.
The helicopters can carry a crew of six troops, plus a pair of pilots, and cruise at 253 mph, more than twice as fast as conventional choppers, according to Sikorsky.
The vehicle, 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 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.
“Today, Sikorsky unveiled the next generation of military rotorcraft, with capabilities and performance never seen before in our industry,” Sikorsky President Mick Maurer said. “Just four years ago, we announced plans to build the S-97 Raider and teamed with some of the best companies in the industry, understanding the need to ensure aircraft development would not falter as government defense budgets shrank in response to economic pressures. Sikorsky is proud of its leadership in this area, and of the leadership the S-97 Raider represents among the world”™s military rotorcraft.”
The Raider weighs 11,000 pounds and will be capable of carrying multiple weapon and sensor arrays, Sikorsky said.
“Raider marks the first unveiling of a new relevant rotorcraft configuration in 30 years,” said Mark Miller, vice president of research and engineering. “With the Raider program, Sikorsky has brought innovation to every aspect of the process, rethinking the way we design, build, test and support the product. We are looking forward to getting air under its tires and expanding the envelope in flight test in the coming months.”
This story has been updated to correct the test flight status of the S-97 Raider. The helicopter’s unveiling signaled the start of its test flight phase, but it had not yet flown.