It is faster. It is more maneuverable. It can go farther. It is more agile, more reliable, and has a higher survivability rate than any rotorcraft available today.

The Sikorsky S-97 Raider flew low and fast, expertly executing crisp, tight, quick maneuvers. (Photos/Steve Babin)

Those advanced military capabilities were on full display when the transformational Sikorsky S-97 Raider light-attack scout helicopter made its debut in a Future Vertical Lift Flight demonstration at the Redstone Army Airfield on Redstone Arsenal.

FVL is the Army’s call to replace all military helicopters with next-generation rotorcraft.

Built specifically for the Army for missions on the modern battlefield, the S-97 is Sikorsky’s answer to the capability gap left by the OH-58D Kiowa. The company entered the Raider into the Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.

The demonstration was part of a two-day visit to Redstone Arsenal to put the company’s proprietary X2 Technology on display.

“Since the first Black Hawk took to the skies in the 1970s, to when our teams broke helicopter speed records with X2 Technology in 2010, we have been working with our Army partners to develop and deliver low-risk, transformational, affordable and sustainable aircraft to support the warfighters’ missions,” said Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo. “We’ve been at this, the X2, for about 12 years, so what you see today is mature …. This is the first of what we believe will be many times our X2 Future Vertical Lift aircraft will fly at Redstone.”

Lemmo said the compound coaxial rotor helicopter with a pusher propeller is not just for speed, but for maneuverability of which has never been seen in a traditional helicopter.

Jay Macklin, director of FVL Business development for Sikorsky, said, “What is important about this technology is that it is our (Sikorsky’s) entry into future attack reconnaissance aircraft competition for the Army.

“We developed this technology, and we are very excited to show it off to the Army, to show what we think this aircraft can do for the aviators of the future.”

Indeed, the demonstration did not disappoint as the Army audience watched the S-97 fly low and fast, expertly executing crisp, tight, quick maneuvers.

“We believe RAIDER-like speed will be one of the keys to success on future multidomain operations to include decrease time traversing the battlefield, reduced threat exposure, and enhanced lifesaving capability in a medivac role,” said Sikorsky sales manager Mike Mudd, who narrated the demonstration.

It then executed a low G pushover maneuver positioning for a diving fire gun run at about a 30-degree nose low attitude. The crew used the prop’s reverse thrust aerodynamic breaking to slow the aircraft, a technique that allows the crew more time to act to fire and accurately place rounds on target, something no other helicopter can do.

According to Mudd, the S-97 demonstration builds on Sikorsky’s continued development of X2 technology begun in 2008. There have been three variants of the Raider, and the demonstration builds on that continued development.

“We want you to see first hand, what the future, with an emphasis on ‘future’ of Army aviation can be… from precise low speed handling in an objective area, to level body acceleration and seamless transitioning to the highest speed flight,” said Mudd.

“In the past two years, Raider has continuously progressed to an expanded envelope of 210 knots, 60-degree angle bank, 15-degree pull-ups while entering that 60-degree angle bank, cyber flight to 35 knots, and closing in on a total of 100 flight hours.”

He said the helicopter is compact with a 34-foot rotor diameter and has a flexible cabin for a wide range of operational uses that include combat configured troops, additional fuel, retractable landing gear, and air launch effects capability. It also has a widespread growth margin for the future in terms of speed, range, and payload.

One of the Raider’s pilots, a former Marine and a longtime Sikorsky test pilot, Christiaan Corry spoke about the aircraft’s safety.

“If you look at the machine, you’ll notice that it has this uncharacteristic set of rotor blades stacked one on top of the other,” he said. “It has this tail rotor blade that is no longer a tail rotor. It is just a propulsor now.

“One of the biggest safety enhancements to we made is that there is no longer a need for a tail rotor. All the equalization of forces happens right above the airframe where the rotor blades are spinning in opposite directions. You only need a tail rotor to offset the spinning of a single rotor helicopter, so we got rid of it and were able to put all the thrust into the backend of the machine.

“As a result that is no longer a flight critical component. If you watch war films where the helicopter takes a shot to the tail and spins tragically to ground, that is not a thing with this machine.

“Straight off the top, that would be my number one answer to the aircraft’s safety features.”

Sikorsky’s facility in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville houses about 100 employees dedicated to supporting Future Vertical Lift, Army Black Hawk helicopters and other military aviation programs.

Sikorsky’s simulator is also in Huntsville. The simulator consists of a full cockpit with a wrap-around dome for out-the-window visuals which can be updated as the system matures. In addition to the basic flying, the cockpit simulates sensors, weapons, and a variety of tactical environments. The high-fidelity simulator has welcomed Army aviators, soldiers and leaders at tradeshows and special events around the U.S. since 2018.

In addition, Sikorsky and Boeing have developed a Defiant X simulator, which is permanently located at the Sikorsky Huntsville facility. The Defiant X simulator will allow Army aviators, Solider and leaders to experience the unique flight characteristics provided by X2 Technology as well as experiencing the mission system approach to the FLRAA mission.