The Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant is one of two candidates to become the main helicopter of the U.S. army to replace the obsolete UH-60 Black Hawk. During a recent test flight he was able to accelerate to the speed of 383 km/h. For comparison, his predecessor develops a maximum of 358 km/h and cruising speed is 286 km/h. Defiant is designed to carry four crew members and twelve passengers.
Competitor SB-1 Defiant in the framework of the development of army long-range aircraft (FLRAA) – the tiltrotor Bell V-280 Valor. The program managers have to choose a new medium helicopters, which will replace the aforementioned UH-60M Black Hawk and attack helicopter AH-64E Apache. FLRAA starts in 2022 and ends in early 2030, when a new machine is put into service.
SB-1 Defiant
The basic requirements of the army for new helicopter greater speed and range than legacy models, in connection with what the participants already suggested a number of new technological solutions.
In particular, Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 uses a set of two coaxial rotor blades, complemented by a tail pusher propeller. According to the developers, the “final” version of the Defiant will fly at a speed of 530 km/h.
In turn, the device Bell is a tiltrotor like the V-22 Osprey, capable of turning his wing and screws for vertical takeoffs, landings and horizontal flight.
Source — Defense News