The Sikorsky-Boeing “Defiant” is one of the entries in a demonstration competition to select a new helicopter with more performance than existing platforms. From InterestingEngineering(do)com:
The Defiant is just one entry into the plan to replace the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Despite its successful career since the 1980s the U.S Army has decided to hunt for a replacement. The Joint Multi-Role-Medium Technology Demonstrator program has been set up with the goal to find the new aircraft.
It is expected recent developments in technology will allow the future selected helicopter to have longer range and better performance in high-altitudes. The Defiant helicopters have a distinct look- it has two sets of counter-rotating main rotors and a rear-facing propulsor propeller for forwarding thrust.
Inside the helicopter can squeeze four crew and 12 combat troops, and reach speeds all while reaching speeds of up to 250 knots, or 461 kilometers per hour. The latest version of the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pales into comparison with a top speed of 357 kilometers per hour.
The demonstration helicopter achieved its first flight on March 21, 2019, and indications are that no problems were discovered, as they began to slow process of pushing out the edges of the flight envelope. Dan Spoor, vice president, Sikorsky Future Vertical Lift, says:
DEFIANT is designed to fly at nearly twice the speed and has twice the range of conventional helicopters while retaining the very best, if not better, low-speed and hover performance of conventional helicopters. This design provides for exceptional performance in the objective area, where potential enemy activity places a premium on maneuverability, survivability and flexibility. We are thrilled with the results of today’s flight and look forward to an exciting flight test program.”
This helicopter has a personal meaning for me, indirectly, as it is identical in every respect to a helicopter I designed for a science fiction novel I wrote in 1987. It’s great to see that somebody finally built it!
3 replies on “This may be the Blackhawk helicopter replacement”
Whatever happened to the Comanche? I thought that was the most sinister looking helicopter I’d ever seen. Stealth technology, internal weapons storage, and high tech electronics. And then, it just vanished.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/54/75/45/547545b195c87413c251c71d6822e25f.jpg
I don’t know why, but they cancelled the program in 2004, after spending a crapload of money, but before commencing production. The Defiant is twice as fast, but I suspect much less stealthy.
I’d guess that when they started looking at the cost to produce it, it came out worse than the B2 bomber. Another possibility (noting that the emphasis seems less on stealth aspects lately) that the opposition fielded a radar system capable of seeing it.
It’s been a long time since I was a defense systems expert, as in the Wobbly Goblin era, 1979-1989.
Having read it just now, I’d guess this is a pretty good summary of the program:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing%E2%80%93Sikorsky_RAH-66_Comanche
The Comanche was purely gun ship – a pilot and a gunner, no passengers. It far exceeded the cost of the AH-64, Apache. Granted, the Marines could sorely have used the Comanche to replace the Cobra, but ultimately chose the souped up Cobra, the AH-1Z, Viper.
The Marine Corp is still flying the Huey, in the UH-1Y, Venom incarnation.
https://youtu.be/hO9_PnufGjQ
With something like 87% parts commonality, it makes a lot of sense, especially for the Marines.