25 May 2015
Sikorsky’s high-speed S-97 Raider helicopter has made its first flight.
The S-97 is a follow-up prototype of Sikorsky’s X2 technology demonstrator with coaxial counter-rotating rotors to provide lift and a pusher propeller at the rear. Sikorsky says the S-97 will be able to cruise at up to 240 knots. It is being developed for the US Army with the ability to carry six troops and carry external weapons. No civilian use has yet been announced.
During the one-hour test flight, pilots Bill Fell and Kevin Bredenbeck took the S-97 through a series of manoeuvres to test the aircraft’s hover and low-speed capability. Future flight tests will demonstrate key performance parameters critical to future combat operations including armed reconnaissance, light assault, light attack and special operations.
