Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Is Back In The Air After A 2017 Software Error Resulted In A Crash

Task & Purpose: The Slick New S-97 Raider Makes the Black Hawk Look *So* 1974

The competition to be the next Army helicopter is heating up. On June 20th, Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider once again took flight completing a 90-minute demonstration, the first since an August 2017 crash caused by flight software errors grounded the program

According to Sikorsky, the S-97 will be capable of ‘light assault, light attack, armed reconnaissance, close-air support, combat search and rescue, and unmanned applications.’ which would make the Raider a virtual flying Swiss Army knife.

With a more conventional twin rotor design than its competitor for those sweet, sweet Army warbucks in the Bell V-280 Valor, the Raider is designed to allow maximum maneuverability, capable of speeds of around 250 miles per hour and dropping six fully loaded troops into the fray. It has a reported range of 350 miles and can cruise at an altitude of 10,000 feet. By comparison, the Valor the can reach speeds of 322 miles per hour, has a range of between 500 to 900 miles depending on the configuration.

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WNU Editor: It's 2017 crash did set back the program by one year, but it looks like Sikorsky is going to try its best to make up for lost time.

The Next Big Thing In Army Aviation?

We Are The Mighty: The US military could soon be flying one of the fastest helicopters ever

Helicopters have been very versatile, serving as anything from transports to gunships. But they haven’t been all that fast. According to AirForce-Technology.com, the fastest helicopter in military service is the CH-47F Chinook, which has a top speed of 195 mph.

That could change if the Sikorsky S-97 enters service with the U.S. Army. With a top speed of at least 253 mph, it blows the competition away — even if it isn’t quite as fast as Airwolf.

But hey, the technology is getting pretty close.

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WNU Editor:  With a top speed of at least 253 mph .... it will definitely be a fast helicopter.

Lockheed Martin Reveals Their Version Of The 'Next Big Thing' In Army Aviation (Video)

Daily Mail: Lockheed Martin reveals radical superfast 'Raider' Special Operations helicopter with two sets of rotors

* Raider could be used by the US Army, Airforce, Navy and Marine Corps
* Tops speeds at 220 knots, which is double the speed of traditional helicopters
* Also designed to refuel in the air and fly 10,000 feet in 95° F temperatures

It has been deemed ‘the next big thing in Army aviation’.

The S-97 Raider is a light tactical prototype helicopter capable of carrying six troops and external weapons, all while reaching speeds of more than 220 knots.

Based on Sikorsky’s Collier Award-winning X2 Technology, the war machine recently took to the skies to show off its co-axial rotor and push propeller design.

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WNU Editor: Sikorsky and Boeing have their own version of what will be the next generation of military helicopters .... Sikorsky and Boeing Give us a Glimpse of Their New Attack Helicopter Concept (The Drive). But Boeing is having problems .... Defiant's first flight falls behind (Flight Global)

More News On Lockheed Martin's S-97 Raider

Watch Sikorsky’s Next-Generation S-97 Raider Helicopter In Action -- Task & Purpose
Lockheed Debuts New S-97 Raider Light Tactical Helicopter Video in Marketing Push -- The Aviationist
Hoist the Black Flag: S-97 Raider Prototype Cuts Through Sky (VIDEO) -- Sputnik
S-97 Raider co-axial helicopter showcased in new video -- new Atlas
Video of the week: Lockheed unwraps pacey Raider -- The Engineer

A Look At The U.S. Army's Sikorsky S-97 Raider

Daily Caller: The Newest Army Helicopter Is An Incredible War Machine [VIDEO]

The United States Army is set to display the newest Army helicopter at the Association of the United States Army exhibition Oct. 12, and people will be able to get a full view of America’s newest war machine. The S-97 Raider, built by Sikorsky, is a multi-role attack helicopter, according to UPI.

The S-97 Raider is unique for several reasons, including the fact that it has been developed with both vertical flight and forward speed capabilities. Building helicopters usually demands that the manufacturer choose between vertical flight or forward speed capabilities, but Sikorsky managed to find a way to include both. In 2010, a prototype of the helicopter unofficially broke the speed record for a helicopter.

Update: S-97 Raider helicopter to be displayed at AUSA expo -- UPI

WNU Editor: We know that it can hover (see above video).

The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER Unveiled

Behold The Newest, Fastest, Most Badass Attack Helicopter In The World -- Gizmodo/Sploid

The S-97 Raider—Sikorsky new attack helicopter—is out and it is not only gorgeous. It's absolutely badass. It is based in the same technology as their X2 technology demonstrator, which broke the world helicopter speed record in 2010: 260 knots—that's 299.2mph (481.5km/h) vs the 172mph of conventional helicopters.

According to Sikorsky's Mike Miller, it "is an all-new helicopter, all-new configuration. We haven't seen something this new in 30 years." The Raider uses counter-rotating rotor blades with a push propeller on the tail. This unique combination allows it to pulverize all speed records.

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More News On The Unveiling Of The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER

Sikorsky Unveils S-97 Raider Light-Attack Helo -- Defense Tech
Sikorsky Unveils Raider Prototype -- Defense News
Attack helicopter unveiled in Florida: ‘We haven’t seen something this new in 30 years’ -- Washington Times
Sikorsky Unveils S-97 Raider: Road To FVL? -- Breaking Defense
Sikorsky S-97 Raider to fly this year -- IHS Hane's 360
Sikorsky unveils new armed reconnaissance helicopter -- UPI
Sikorsky rolls-out high-speed Raider rotorcraft -- Flight Global
Sikorsky S-97 helicopter shoots for speed with unusual design -- CNet
Sikorsky develops new military chopper with own money -- Palm Beach Post