Sikorsky-Boeing defense helicopter achieves first flight

The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 DEFIANT helicopter successfully achieved its first flight on Thursday, March 21 at Sikorsky's West Palm Beach, Fla., U.S. site. The aircraft, developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co. (Ft. Worth, Texas, U.S.), and Boeing (Chicago, Ill., U.S.), is part of the U.S. Army's Future Vertical Lift program.

With its two coaxial main rotors and rear-mounted pusher propulsor, DEFIANT reportedly  increases speed and range compared to similar aircraft, while improving maneuverability and survivability in a cost-effective way. DEFIANT uses Lockheed Martin’s X2 defense technology.

The helicopter is participating in the Army's Joint Multi-Role-Medium Technology Demonstrator program. Data from DEFIANT will help the Army develop requirements for new utility helicopters expected to enter service in the early 2030s. This flight marks a key milestone for the Sikorsky-Boeing team and is the culmination of design, simulation and test activity to demonstrate the capability of the X2 Technology, which is said to be scalable to a variety of military missions such as attack and assault, long-range transportation, infiltration and resupply. DEFIANT is the third X2 aircraft in fewer than 10 years, Lockheed Martin 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,” says Dan Spoor, VP, Sikorsky Future Vertical Lift. “This design provides for exceptional performance in the objective area, where potential enemy activity places a premium on maneuverability, survivability and flexibility.”

“The design and development of DEFIANT has revealed the capability advancement that is truly possible for Future Vertical Lift,” says David Koopersmith, VP and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift. “Clearly, the performance, speed and agility of DEFIANT will be a game changer on the battlefield and we look forward to demonstrating for the U.S. Army the tremendous capabilities of this aircraft.”