Αυτό είναι το επαναστατικό Sikorsky S-97 Raider…
Και είναι μια επανάσταση. Το συγκεκριμένο, εντυπωσιακό ιπτάμενο αντικείμενο, βασίζεται στο επαναστατικό Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator που είναι πλέον σε μουσείο. Αλλά…
Κατά τη Sikorsky, το συγκεκριμένο σκάφος θα είναι το πρώτο από μια “next generation of combat rotorcraft.”
Το Sikorsky S-97 Raider σε αντίθεση με πολλά άλλα προγράμματα ΔΕΝ είναι παραγγελία των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων αλλά το χρηματοδοτεί η ίδια η Sikorsky κατά το 75% με 53 άλλους προμηθευτές να βάζουν τα υπόλοιπα. Επαναστατικό είναι το σύστημα στους ρότορες – counter-rotating blades, σχεδιασμός όπως τα ρωσικά Kamov με μια έξι πτερύγων προπέλα πίσω.
Κατά τη Sikorsky δε ο όλος σχεδιασμός μαζί με χειριστήρια fly-by-wire και έλεγχο active vibration control, πετυχαίνει ταχύτητα, εμβέλεια και αξιοπιστία.
The Sikorsky S-97 Raider has a 15 percent smaller footprint than conventional helicopters
Sikorsky intends the S-97 Raider as a multi-mission craft that will act as a replacement for the US Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter or the Special Forces’ MH-6 Little Bird. Depending on how it’s equipped, it can be used for armed reconnaissance, light attack, light assault, search and rescue, or casualty evacuation.
To achieve this, the S-97 has a composite fuselage for a takeoff weight of 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) and is powered by a single General Electric YT706 engine putting out 2,600 bhp (1,900 kW).
Its length of 35 ft (11 m) and rotor diameter of 34 ft (10 m) gives it a 15 percent smaller footprint than conventional helicopters, though it can still carry a crew of two seated side by side, along with six troops or extra fuel and munitions. The production version may also be capable of autonomous flight
Sikorsky says that the S-97 Raider has a cruising speed of 253 mph (407 km/h, 220 kn), which is more than double the speed of conventional helicopters, and pulls three G’s in the turns for greater agility. It has a range of 308 nmi (354 mi, 570 km), flight endurance of 2hr 40min, and a service ceiling of 10,000 ft (3,048 m).
The Sikorsky S-97 Raider has a six-blade pusher propeller
The S-97 Raider can carry a selection of armaments, including a 50 caliber or 7.62 mm machine gun with 500 rounds, a 7-shot rocket pod with 2.75 in rockets, or Hellfire missiles.
“Today, Sikorsky unveiled the next generation of military rotorcraft, with capabilities and performance never seen before in our industry,” says Sikorsky President Mick Maurer. “Just four years ago, we announced plans to build the S-97 Raider and teamed with some of the best companies in the industry, understanding the need to ensure aircraft development would not falter as government defense budgets shrank in response to economic pressures. Sikorsky is proud of its leadership in this area, and of the leadership the S-97 Raider represents among the world’s military rotorcraft.”
The aircraft will undergo initial flight tests in the coming months.
The video below shows the formal unveiling of the S-97 Raider.
