Bell 360 Invictus and Sikorsky Raider X: The American press spoke about the prospects for the development of new helicopters in the United States

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In recent decades, the United States has been actively exploring the possibility of introducing new solutions in aircraft construction, primarily by using them to create new models of army helicopters. aviation... By 2030, writes the Defense News edition, it is planned to develop and create a long-range attack (assault) helicopter and a reconnaissance attack aircraft. Both will be used for the needs of the army aviation, which plays an important role in local military conflicts.

The radical reform of the US Army's helicopter fleet is known as the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. It provides for the replacement of the old Bell OH-58D Kiowa surveillance, reconnaissance and support helicopters (they were decommissioned in 2017), as well as a number of heavy attack helicopters with an extended-range airborne assault helicopter and a promising reconnaissance and attack helicopter. So far, the Bell 360 Invictus and Sikorsky Raider X helicopter projects are considered to be real candidates for the finalist of the tender. In 2022, the army must conduct comparative tests of prototypes and select the most promising of them.



General Robert Barry, in an interview with Defense News, stressed that the Pentagon wants to once invest in the development of new technologies, and then use these technologies on various platforms. In turn, Major General Wally Rugen, who is directly responsible for the implementation of the helicopter program in the army aviation, believes that such an approach will find the best way to solve the problems facing the American armed forces.

The Army expects a modular aircraft engine so that individual components can be swapped out without having to replace the entire power plant. This will significantly reduce maintenance costs, not only financial, but also organizational. Also, the US Armed Forces expects from new systems the ability to quickly integrate with existing systems.

Meanwhile, the scale of investment also depends on the availability of attractive options: the military department is not going to invest in unpromising projects. Now the leaders of the American helicopter industry will have to strain their capabilities and show their best side in order to win the sympathy of the Pentagon generals and, accordingly, to claim victory in the competition.

For reference: the Sikorsky Raider X helicopter is designed in a coaxial propeller configuration with a so-called pusher propeller in the tail section. The car is created with the implementation of the principle of low visibility. For this, the "Raider" hull is designed for production from composite materials. The helicopter can be either manned or unmanned. On board, he can transport troops of up to 6-7 people. In this case, the helicopter will, according to the developers, have record speed parameters - more than 440 km / h. The first flight of the prototype took place over 5 years ago.

Video from tests this spring:


Bell 360 Invictus has a more modest top speed: about 340 km / h. At the same time, it will be equipped with a 20-mm air cannon and will be able to carry on board about half a ton of payload in the form of, first of all, missiles of suitable dimensions and weight.
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34 comments
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  1. +2
    13 October 2021 19: 18
    The military is forced to honor objectivity and not dissemble in the proposed scientific and technical solutions. Sober-minded people have long recognized the limits of modernization of blade propellers and their futility. And to believe and learn about new developments lacks determination.
    1. +2
      14 October 2021 07: 06
      Unmanned, but with a trooper ... I would not get into this negative
      "Houston, we have problems" the piece of iron got out of control))
  2. +3
    13 October 2021 19: 26
    Nikolay Ilyich Kamov. Standing confidently applauding! Yes A coaxial helicopter with a gyroplane to cross it only after good and reliable computer support turned out .. Bravo. Plus the screws do not overlap .... At this stage of development, the Americans are taking the lead. Do you have reasoned objections? Print. Read.
    1. +2
      13 October 2021 20: 07
      Quote: Observer2014
      Print. Read.

      The next breakthrough will be hanging tanks and folding pylons with weapons. laughing
      1. -2
        13 October 2021 20: 36
        The next breakthrough will be hanging tanks and folding pylons with weapons.
        Also, the refueling system will be stuck in. Don't go to the grandmother. wink Yes
    2. -12
      13 October 2021 20: 22
      Quote: Observer2014
      Nikolay Ilyich Kamov. Standing confidently applauding! Yes A coaxial helicopter with a gyroplane to cross it only after good and reliable computer support turned out .. Bravo. Plus the screws do not overlap .... At this stage of development, the Americans are taking the lead. Do you have reasoned objections? Print. Read.

      read, read, the model that Kamov had stuck, though they did "how it happened"
      1. +18
        13 October 2021 20: 53
        As the saying goes: "Do not read Soviet newspapers until lunchtime." In the photo you have the Whispercraft from the Hollywood movie "Day 6" with A. Schwarzenegger:

        The unrealized Ka-90 model looks like this:

        The Sikorsky X2 technology is indeed similar to the Ka-92 concept:

        But some smelted a model, others made a 12-ton aircraft.
        1. +12
          13 October 2021 21: 09
          Kamov showed these models at the HeliRussia-2008 exhibition. The Sikorsky X2 made its first flight in .. 2008, 3 months after the exhibition (what nimble Americans are). In addition, these Sikorski concepts develop high horizontal speed not only by the pushing propeller, but also by the Advancing Blade Concept technology - the leading blade concept. It uses two coaxial propellers with two gearboxes, two swash plates that change the angle of attack of the retreating blades. Thus, only the leading blades create the main lifting force. Sikorski did all this on an experimental S-69 in 1973. Kamov can't have any plagiarism here.
          PS To the question that the concept of a rotorcraft is not capable of crossing a certain line, characterized by the laws of physics. It turns out, if you think a little, then it is capable.
          1. -3
            13 October 2021 21: 24
            Quote from Flanker692
            Kamov showed these models at the HeliRussia-2008 exhibition. The Sikorsky X2 made its first flight in .. 2008, 3 months after the exhibition (what nimble Americans are).

            and from this place in more detail,
            Sikorsky S-97 Raider model tested in 15m
        2. -4
          13 October 2021 21: 19
          Quote from Flanker692
          The unrealized Ka-90 model looks like this:

          or like this

          or like this
          Quote from Flanker692
          The Sikorsky X2 technology is indeed similar to the Ka-92 concept:

          2008 exhibition

          well, up to a bunch of Ka22 Osprey, ugh, Hoop, 1960 development
          1. -3
            13 October 2021 21: 21
            Quote: poquello
            to the heap Ka22 Osprey, ugh, Hoop, 1960 development

            1. +6
              13 October 2021 23: 07
              The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor. Its propellers unfold and push the vehicle like an airplane, I think that's understandable. The Ka-22 is a transverse rotorcraft, its propellers are static. Developed for the tasks of transporting large loads. First flight 1959. To speed up and reduce the cost, the body was taken from the Li-2 aircraft, further problems in implementation, the closure of the program. Compared to the states, its closest competitor is the well-known CH-47 Chinook - a longitudinal rotorcraft. It is still in operation. The first flight - 1961, only here it is - the modernization of its older brother CH-46 Sea Knight (first flight 1958), which is the development of their grandfather H-21 (first flight 1952). Mil only had such a scheme for the Mi-12 (1968). There is no need to try to catch the hand while inventing the next duck.
              1. -3
                13 October 2021 23: 21
                Quote from Flanker692
                Its propellers unfold and push the craft like an airplane

                and on ka22 do not push the transverse? )
          2. +7
            13 October 2021 21: 28
            I have already answered about the Ka-92.
            The news with this slide about "Kamov's promising 700 km / h attack helicopter" appeared in 2018. By this time, the X2 had flown for 10 years, and the Raider for 3 years. If anyone spied on a neighbor, it was Kamov.
            1. -3
              13 October 2021 21: 31
              Quote from Flanker692
              I have already answered about the Ka-92.
              The news with this slide about "Kamov's promising 700 km / h attack helicopter" appeared in 2018. By this time, the X2 had flown for 10 years, and the Raider for 3 years. If anyone spied on a neighbor, it was Kamov.

              which slide?
              Quote: poquello
              Quote from Flanker692
              Kamov showed these models at the HeliRussia-2008 exhibition. The Sikorsky X2 made its first flight in .. 2008, 3 months after the exhibition (what nimble Americans are).

              and from this place in more detail,
              Sikorsky S-97 Raider model tested in 15m
              1. +7
                13 October 2021 21: 50
                which slide?

                Your slide where General Designer Kamov S. Mikheev says something against the background of the silhouette of the helicopter. This slide is dated 2018, or rather the first mention on October 29th.
                and from this place in more detail,
                Sikorsky S-97 Raider model tested in 15m

                Sikorsky X2 - first flew August 2008. Demonstrator of ABC technology.

                Sikorsky Raider - first flight 2015. Prototype, a member of the FARA program of the future US reconnaissance and attack helicopter to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.
                In 2019, she and the FLRAA program (replacing the UH-60 Black Hawk) were thrown to the heap into the aforementioned FVL program. Where, in fact, they will try to create the maximum number of options for helicopter technology on one promising base. Here is DEFIANT X (an enlarged copy of the S-97) just to replace the UH-60. And the strike version of these prototypes (instead of the troop compartment - an internal armament compartment) to replace the AH-64 Apache.
                1. -2
                  13 October 2021 23: 00
                  Quote from Flanker692
                  Your slide where General Designer Kamov S. Mikheev says something against the background of the silhouette of the helicopter. This slide is dated 2018,

                  Quote from Flanker692
                  The news with this slide about "Kamov's promising 700 km / h attack helicopter" appeared in 2018. By this time, the X2 had flown for 10 years, and the Raider for 3 years.

                  aa, look what, this is with trd,
                  close principle

                  with blowing in the ass '89)
        3. +4
          13 October 2021 22: 48
          in the USSR, about 10 radically different projects of helicopters were developed, and not only miles and kams - other aviation bureaus also participated, but all this activity was hacked to death at the level of the Central Committee of the party. Only a few and only extremely conservative projects remained. The USSR approached the 80s with the scientific groundwork for massive breakthroughs, but 70 percent of promising works were cut down due to the activities of the Gorbachev group, which destroyed almost all funds for investment in 7 years. One of their victims was Buran. Maybe I will say unexpected things, but the Sikorsky raider is squalor, because this car is based on technologies of the level of the 70s, just on modern spare parts. The USSR had more interesting projects.
        4. +2
          14 October 2021 09: 33
          You can draw anything you want. The Americans tried all the schemes back in the 60-70s. Remember Cheyenne ... the USSR did not pull such a project
  3. 0
    13 October 2021 19: 28
    It looks impressive.
  4. +10
    13 October 2021 20: 02
    Small clarification. The article in the video shows the S-97 - a much more modest predecessor of DEFIANT X. This is now the name of the Lockheed Sikorsky / Boeing prototype.

    Yesterday they released a short promo about reaching a speed of 457 km / h. In the video, you can see this device close up
  5. The comment was deleted.
  6. +3
    13 October 2021 21: 22
    The article is full of contradictions.
    You have already decided whether it is a heavy attack aircraft or a light reconnaissance aircraft, two in one will not work.
    Modular aircraft engine? Come on. In the field, disassemble the twin-shaft engine and assemble, I don’t know.
    Complication of the design (with a pusher screw) and, as a consequence, an increase in weight.
    Therefore, fuel consumption will inevitably increase, and hence either a decrease in radius or a decrease in load.
    And so, yes, beautiful, stylish, youthful.
    1. +4
      13 October 2021 22: 27
      The FVL program is scalable. Above I showed what kind of prototypes Sikorski has. The rider weighs ~ 6 tons - the weight category of the shock Apache. The defiant weighs ~ 12 tons - an analogue of the transport Black Hawk. The early X2 weighs about 3 tons - that's a light scout. The company has already received money to research a variant weighing ~ 45 tons, and this is already an analogue of the Mi-24.
      Hmm, I think Sikorski's engineers see differently about the range. Here is the demand from the military under the previous FLRAA program to replace the UH-60 in which they participate and have advanced the farthest. Pay attention to the combat radius - 170-230 nautical miles + 30 minutes reserve. This is ~ 2 times more than that of the UH-60.

      Well, the conventional circuit also has a tail rotor. Only he is there as a rudiment. And this screw takes part in useful work. According to the engineers, they have achieved a simplified transmission of their coaxial ABC scheme and the number of parts is comparable to the classic UH-60 scheme. At the same time, not only the speed was increased, but also the carrying capacity and flight altitude (just the pluses of the two propellers)
      1. 0
        13 October 2021 23: 29
        Quote from Flanker692
        The rider weighs ~ 6 tons - the weight category of the shock Apache. The defiant weighs ~ 12 tons - an analogue of the transport Black Hawk. The early X2 weighs about 3 tons - that's a light reconnaissance.

        It is logical to use 1 platform for these 3 types of helicopters. Changing the cockpit and the composition of the armament. Unification will greatly facilitate operation and reduce the cost of the series.
  7. +2
    13 October 2021 21: 56
    The Americans are quite seriously investing in coaxial aircraft, realizing all their advantages, and are also interested in new schemes like a rotary wing ... And here, damn it, they push the Ka-52 in every possible way and put the loser of the Soviet contests Mi-28 as the main one. They also keep the completely outdated Mi-24 for some reason.
  8. -3
    13 October 2021 22: 19
    In my opinion, this is a victory of technology over common sense. So, for comparison, 334 km / h and the Mi 24 can give out. Why this coaxial gyroplane is not clear and not clear.
  9. 0
    14 October 2021 08: 48
    The Americans did not come up with anything new ... All these ideas were long ago in the USSR. But the Americans are introducing ideas much faster than the USSR and Russia. And in Russia, this is generally a complete absurdity, here the power is not engaged in the economy, but in the plundering of wealth and dough ... So the United States is still in the lead, China is catching up, Russia is in a swamp ...
    1. +1
      14 October 2021 09: 35
      Ideas-Ideas ... technical implementation is a practical matter.
  10. 0
    14 October 2021 09: 43
    Well done, technically sophisticated and perfect apparatus. Question one: Will the benefits outweigh the cost and complexity of the application? What is the concept and is it worth the effort? Apaches and MH60, as far as I understand, no one removes from the agenda ..... drone UAVs bloom in all colors ...... ATGMs of the 3rd and 3rd + generations are already massively purchased and used. Super Tucano is in service.
  11. +1
    14 October 2021 14: 23
    Photos on the topic.
    Bell 360 Invictus - designed according to the classic scheme, more suitable for the role of a reconnaissance and attack helicopter.

  12. 0
    15 October 2021 03: 05
    They are engaged in nonsense ...

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