Black and bold. What will be the future American multipurpose helicopter
SB1 Defiant
At the end of December, one of the most interesting aviation events of the outgoing year: the appearance of a promising multipurpose helicopter with the complex name Sikorsky-Boeing SB1 Defiant (English “daring”, “defiant”, “disobedient”) was presented. The development is based on the promising Future Vertical Lift program, designed to give the American military a whole family of high-speed helicopters.
If you have experienced a state of déjà vu when you see SB-1, do not be surprised. Americans have long and, in general, very successfully experience his fellow in the face of Sikorsky S-97 Raider. New SB1 can not be called a modification of this machine in the full sense of the word. Helicopters are designed to solve completely different tasks: as much as the tasks for rotary-wing machines in general may differ among themselves.
Recall that the S-97 is a relatively small helicopter with a crew of two and the ability to carry up to six troops. This is either a scout, or a light striker, or a base for the future drone. Most often it is seen as a high-speed replacement for the small Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, which has almost outlived its usefulness. The attack "Apache" helicopter S-97, most likely, will never replace: the Americans generally intend to operate the AH-64 almost until the 2050s. Recently, by the way, it became known that Boeing wants to remake the legendary helicopter, supplying it with a pusher propeller. This would theoretically increase flight speed by 50 percent. But how it will be in practice, of course, is unknown, because radical alterations do not always benefit old machines, if we talk about their flight performance. Often this leads to an abrupt increase in mass with quite predictable consequences.
By the way, it is the presence of the pushing screw in the tail section that makes S-97 Raider and SB1 Defiant so similar. As well as the use in the design of both helicopters coaxial rotor. But this, as we have said, similarities end there. The fact is that the helicopter shown now will be by default a much larger machine capable of performing a much wider range of tasks. Simply put, this is a possible replacement for the famous Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk - the main American multipurpose army helicopter. Like him, Defiant is able to predetermine the appearance of the US Army for many decades.
The importance of the program is difficult to overestimate. For all its merits, the Black Hawk has speed limits inherent in any “classic” helicopter, due to the aerodynamic concept itself. The maximum speed indicated in open sources for the UH-60L is 300 kilometers per hour with a cruising speed of just over 280. For comparison, the SB1 Defiant’s estimated cruising speed should be 460 kilometers per hour. The difference is huge. And, it must be supposed, the broad use of SB1 Defiant will give the American army the capabilities that it had never dreamed of. At the same time, no other country in the world has plans for the mass introduction of high-speed helicopters in the foreseeable future.
Helicopter characteristics
At the heart of the SB1 Defiant design itself is the experimental apparatus Sikorsky X2, which, prior to closing its program, managed to set at least one unofficial speed record, having sped up to 415 kilometers per hour. The pilot helicopter coaxially with the pusher propeller was built on the basis of the experimental S-69. “The secret of the coaxial unit X2 is that the main counter-rotating screws provide lift and forward flight without a tail screw. Above 150 knots (277,8 km / h) thrust is provided by a pushing screw, so the main screws do what they do best - provide a lift, ”said Chris Van Buyten, who as of 2016 was the vice president of innovative projects in Sikorsky company. It is noteworthy that for the SB1, two far from new Honeywell T55 engines were chosen as the basis for the power plant: the same ones were installed on Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. However, they are being upgraded specifically for Defiant, and in the future they can equip the helicopter with a fundamentally new power plant.
Built on the base of the SB1 Defiant, the serial vehicle will be able to carry out transport operations, land landing forces, carry out search and rescue operations, evacuate the wounded from the battlefield, and carry out a number of other tasks. Crew - four people. On board it will be possible to mark twelve paratroopers or cargo with a solid mass. The use of the SB1 Defiant cannot be ruled out as a strike helicopter, however, as far as can be judged, this possibility will be purely optional. Do not forget that in addition to "Apache", "Vipers" and combat aircraft of tactical aviation at the disposal of the Americans have a drone UAV, which can also be effectively used for ground support. And, of course, A-10, which will serve the United States faithfully and faithfully for some time until they are replaced, for example, F-35A or F-35B.
Pitfalls
SB1 Defiant is not to be afraid of machines that are designed for other tasks, but Bell V-280 Valor converters, which, in general, have similar characteristics. This, we recall, is a promising convertoplane that is already undergoing flight tests. Like the SB1, it can carry more than ten people landing, and the speed of the V-280 is even higher - the maximum is 520 kilometers per hour. Of course, the US Department of Defense has enough finances, but it must be assumed that the military will choose one aircraft: either SB1 or V-280. And so far Valor is ahead.
On the way he can become perhaps a very ambiguous experience in operating tiltrotor Marine Corps. "V-22 looks great ... when it is not idle in the repair," - said at the time the late Senator John McCain. Indeed, catastrophes, technical failures and a low level of combat readiness pursued V-22 all his life. Do not forget that Osprey built a relatively small series: for Bell V-280 Valor, which is considered as a massive device, such difficulties are completely unacceptable. In general, it is difficult to say with confidence now which one will be the winner. It may well be that none of the devices created will not suit the US military. And they will eventually remain faithful to the Black Hawk.
At the same time, in other countries they should understand that if the revolutionary high-speed helicopters really “shoot”, then their more familiar counterparts will ultimately remain out of work. And the global market of multifunctional rotary-wing machines will be divided among themselves Bell, Sikorsky and Boeing. “Boring” option, but so far it looks the most plausible.
At the end of December, one of the most interesting aviation events of the outgoing year: the appearance of a promising multipurpose helicopter with the complex name Sikorsky-Boeing SB1 Defiant (English “daring”, “defiant”, “disobedient”) was presented. The development is based on the promising Future Vertical Lift program, designed to give the American military a whole family of high-speed helicopters.
If you have experienced a state of déjà vu when you see SB-1, do not be surprised. Americans have long and, in general, very successfully experience his fellow in the face of Sikorsky S-97 Raider. New SB1 can not be called a modification of this machine in the full sense of the word. Helicopters are designed to solve completely different tasks: as much as the tasks for rotary-wing machines in general may differ among themselves.
Recall that the S-97 is a relatively small helicopter with a crew of two and the ability to carry up to six troops. This is either a scout, or a light striker, or a base for the future drone. Most often it is seen as a high-speed replacement for the small Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, which has almost outlived its usefulness. The attack "Apache" helicopter S-97, most likely, will never replace: the Americans generally intend to operate the AH-64 almost until the 2050s. Recently, by the way, it became known that Boeing wants to remake the legendary helicopter, supplying it with a pusher propeller. This would theoretically increase flight speed by 50 percent. But how it will be in practice, of course, is unknown, because radical alterations do not always benefit old machines, if we talk about their flight performance. Often this leads to an abrupt increase in mass with quite predictable consequences.
By the way, it is the presence of the pushing screw in the tail section that makes S-97 Raider and SB1 Defiant so similar. As well as the use in the design of both helicopters coaxial rotor. But this, as we have said, similarities end there. The fact is that the helicopter shown now will be by default a much larger machine capable of performing a much wider range of tasks. Simply put, this is a possible replacement for the famous Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk - the main American multipurpose army helicopter. Like him, Defiant is able to predetermine the appearance of the US Army for many decades.
The importance of the program is difficult to overestimate. For all its merits, the Black Hawk has speed limits inherent in any “classic” helicopter, due to the aerodynamic concept itself. The maximum speed indicated in open sources for the UH-60L is 300 kilometers per hour with a cruising speed of just over 280. For comparison, the SB1 Defiant’s estimated cruising speed should be 460 kilometers per hour. The difference is huge. And, it must be supposed, the broad use of SB1 Defiant will give the American army the capabilities that it had never dreamed of. At the same time, no other country in the world has plans for the mass introduction of high-speed helicopters in the foreseeable future.
Helicopter characteristics
At the heart of the SB1 Defiant design itself is the experimental apparatus Sikorsky X2, which, prior to closing its program, managed to set at least one unofficial speed record, having sped up to 415 kilometers per hour. The pilot helicopter coaxially with the pusher propeller was built on the basis of the experimental S-69. “The secret of the coaxial unit X2 is that the main counter-rotating screws provide lift and forward flight without a tail screw. Above 150 knots (277,8 km / h) thrust is provided by a pushing screw, so the main screws do what they do best - provide a lift, ”said Chris Van Buyten, who as of 2016 was the vice president of innovative projects in Sikorsky company. It is noteworthy that for the SB1, two far from new Honeywell T55 engines were chosen as the basis for the power plant: the same ones were installed on Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. However, they are being upgraded specifically for Defiant, and in the future they can equip the helicopter with a fundamentally new power plant.
Built on the base of the SB1 Defiant, the serial vehicle will be able to carry out transport operations, land landing forces, carry out search and rescue operations, evacuate the wounded from the battlefield, and carry out a number of other tasks. Crew - four people. On board it will be possible to mark twelve paratroopers or cargo with a solid mass. The use of the SB1 Defiant cannot be ruled out as a strike helicopter, however, as far as can be judged, this possibility will be purely optional. Do not forget that in addition to "Apache", "Vipers" and combat aircraft of tactical aviation at the disposal of the Americans have a drone UAV, which can also be effectively used for ground support. And, of course, A-10, which will serve the United States faithfully and faithfully for some time until they are replaced, for example, F-35A or F-35B.
Pitfalls
SB1 Defiant is not to be afraid of machines that are designed for other tasks, but Bell V-280 Valor converters, which, in general, have similar characteristics. This, we recall, is a promising convertoplane that is already undergoing flight tests. Like the SB1, it can carry more than ten people landing, and the speed of the V-280 is even higher - the maximum is 520 kilometers per hour. Of course, the US Department of Defense has enough finances, but it must be assumed that the military will choose one aircraft: either SB1 or V-280. And so far Valor is ahead.
On the way he can become perhaps a very ambiguous experience in operating tiltrotor Marine Corps. "V-22 looks great ... when it is not idle in the repair," - said at the time the late Senator John McCain. Indeed, catastrophes, technical failures and a low level of combat readiness pursued V-22 all his life. Do not forget that Osprey built a relatively small series: for Bell V-280 Valor, which is considered as a massive device, such difficulties are completely unacceptable. In general, it is difficult to say with confidence now which one will be the winner. It may well be that none of the devices created will not suit the US military. And they will eventually remain faithful to the Black Hawk.
At the same time, in other countries they should understand that if the revolutionary high-speed helicopters really “shoot”, then their more familiar counterparts will ultimately remain out of work. And the global market of multifunctional rotary-wing machines will be divided among themselves Bell, Sikorsky and Boeing. “Boring” option, but so far it looks the most plausible.
Information