Sikorsky-Boeing unveils Defiant X offering for FLRAA

摘要

Sikorsky and Boeing unveiled the Defiant X rigid co-axial rotor-craft they will offer for the US Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) effort on 25 January. The Defiant X is Sikorsky-Boeing's complete weapon system configuration for the FLRAA competition. It builds on handling qualities and capabilities developed by the SB＞1 Defiant, which was built for the US Army's Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) programme. Jay Macklin, Sikorsky Future Vertical Lift (FVL) business development director, told Janes on 22 January that Sikorsky-Boeing made enhancements to the Defiant X design to reduce its thermal signature, including changes to the exhaust system. The team's enhancements also improve the aircraft's aerodynamic handling. The Defiant X has a V-shaped vertical stabiliser design, which is different from the 'flying wing'-style vertical stabiliser found on the SB>1 Defiant. Sikorsky-Boeing declined to provide further details about modifications it made for the Defiant X, citing competition sensitivities.