Image source: topwar.ru
The American company Sikorsky presented a prototype of the Raider X helicopter being developed as part of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. As stated in the company, the readiness of the machine is 98%.
The American companies Bell and Sikorsky became finalists of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition – a "Promising strike reconnaissance aircraft" for the US Army, in 2020 both companies were included in the final list. According to the terms of the competition, the developers had to submit prototypes of the helicopter in 2023, after which the US Army will decide which of them will replace the obsolete Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior multipurpose helicopter in the army, which has been in service since 1962.
As has been repeatedly reported, Bell is developing a Bell 360 Invictus helicopter as part of the competition, Sikorsky is a Raider X helicopter, which is an enlarged version of the S-97 Raider. The helicopter is 98% ready, the company is waiting for the completion of the GE T901 Improved Engine Turbine Program (ITEP) engine testing program. The first flight of Raider X is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Image source: topwar.ru
The helicopter is designed according to a coaxial scheme, which is not typical for the company's cars, another novelty is the pushing screw at the rear of the helicopter, which should help the car gain more speed.
To date, the costs of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program have already exceeded two billion dollars, which is very disliked by congressmen who have already threatened to cut funding for the program. In the meantime, the US Army is waiting for the second prototype to be shown in order to finally decide which one will go into mass production.