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Sikorsky S-97 Raider Ground Tests Today

Makes sense. But when I look at either design, it makes me wonder how it fits into what the Navy will want after the Army starts down whatever path they start down on.
 
I still feel like these will get ultimately looked at as too risky and they'll want some evolutionary design instead. I'd be intrigued as to what Sikorsky and Bell could do with a clean sheet utility helicopter, but then again, who's funding that.
 
V-280 is probably the lower risk path of the two options. But I'm not sure how the USN's requirements square with USA's. I'd also be interested to see what Bell's thoughts are on how to fold and stuff a productionized V-280. Right now V-280's proprotor diameter and wingspan are very close to V-22's dimensions. That's a lot of stuff to origami in to hangars that fit H-60s.
 
Bell was showing a light tiltrotor UAS model at NHA last year. I think that's what they're trying to push on the Navy. @phrogdriver should know.

I know Sikorsky is working on something between the S-97 and SB>1 in size to fit on small boys (and in H-60 hangars). I don't think blade fold is an issue, but folding that pusher prop is, so they have to make the bird small enough that the nose-to-tail length will fit in a hangar. If HSM gets that, we might have a reason to finally dump the SAR & VERTREP missions, since every ounce of gross weight will be mission systems and fuel.
 
IKE said:
Bell was showing a light tiltrotor UAS model at NHA last year. I think that's what they're trying to push on the Navy. @phrogdriver should know.

I know Sikorsky is working on something between the S-97 and SB>1 in size to fit on small boys (and in H-60 hangars). I don't think blade fold is an issue, but folding that pusher prop is, so they have to make the bird small enough that the nose-to-tail length will fit in a hangar. If HSM gets that, we might have a reason to finally dump the SAR & VERTREP missions, since every ounce of gross weight will be mission systems and fuel.
Click to expand...
The bigger question is does USN need speed or endurance?
 
IKE said:
If HSM gets that, we might have a reason to finally dump the SAR & VERTREP missions, since every ounce of gross weight will be mission systems and fuel.
Click to expand...

It’d be great to finally kick those missions over to the experts at HSC. Would also be great to have an easily configurable aircraft such that we could pull the magic boxes out for a short notice HADR mission.

Pags said:
The bigger question is does USN need speed or endurance?
Click to expand...

More of both than we currently have!
 
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