FLRAA and FARA (later cancelled) helicopter programs

Presentation of the demonstrator high-speed multipurpose helicopter Sikorsky Boeing SB> 1 Defiant

On December 26, 2018, Sikorsky (part of Lockheed Martin Corporation) and Boeing distributed photos of the first prototype prototype of the multi-purpose high-speed helicopter SB> 1 that they jointly create (instead of SB-1) Defiant. The creation of SB> 1 (Sikorsky S-100 brand designation) is carried out as a demonstrator of a promising high-speed helicopter on a competitive basis as part of the program of the United States Army Multi Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) to develop new concept helicopters Aviation Future Vertical Lift (FVL). The first flight SB> 1 was originally scheduled for the end of 2017, but was postponed several times, and as a result is now scheduled for 2019.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3475313.html

George1 wrote:Presentation of the demonstrator high-speed multipurpose helicopter Sikorsky Boeing SB> 1 Defiant

On December 26, 2018, Sikorsky (part of Lockheed Martin Corporation) and Boeing distributed photos of the first prototype prototype of the multi-purpose high-speed helicopter SB> 1 that they jointly create (instead of SB-1) Defiant. The creation of SB> 1 (Sikorsky S-100 brand designation) is carried out as a demonstrator of a promising high-speed helicopter on a competitive basis as part of the program of the United States Army Multi Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) to develop new concept helicopters Aviation Future Vertical Lift (FVL). The first flight SB> 1 was originally scheduled for the end of 2017, but was postponed several times, and as a result is now scheduled for 2019.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3475313.html

SiKamovsky....I thought according to the fanbois that coaxial rotors were dangerous and impractical? Life must suck for them constantly being neck-deep in their own bullshit.

Naw... it is only Russian crap until it is realised to be useful... then we dig up old drawings from projects from the 1950s that prove it was all invented by the US anyway...

The first flight of the demonstrator high-speed multipurpose helicopter Sikorsky Boeing SB> 1 Defiant

Boeing unveils a reconnaissance attack helicopter project

On March 3, 2020, Boeing Corporation unveiled images of its prospective reconnaissance and attack helicopter, which Boeing intends to offer for the US Army contest under the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program.




https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3950235.html

The helicopter in flight has no engine air intakes, while the helicopter on the ground has air intakes on its side... both have pusher propellers for high speed but I suspect the armament which appears to be Hellfires would make it vulnerable to current Pantsir missiles (20km) let alone near future ones (40km), not to mention even SOSNA (10km) and TOR (16km, soon 32km)... Pantsir and TOR do use radar but can also use other target information with command guided missiles and of course the laser beam riding SOSNA missiles can be fully optically guided so radar stealth will mean nothing at all for them...

In terms of guns the new 57mm gun air defence systems with airburst shells and no radar would be a serious problem for these new helos... that are only on paper at the moment... sounds like they are going to need more money...

Regarding the super long range gun... even old model BUK and TOR can deal with artillery shells... larger heavier longer ranged missiles could also deal with such ammo too...

Big article on it https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32442/boeing-reveals-its-contender-to-be-the-armys-future-high-speed-armed-scout-helicopter

US Army Selects SB> 1 Defiant and V-280 Valor Aircraft to Continue FLRAA Work

According to American media, on March 16, 2020, the U.S. Army chose the two main proposals for aircraft - the SB> 1 Defiant high-speed helicopter of the Sikorsky and Boeing consortium and Bell's V-280 Valor tiltrotor plan - to continue full-scale competitive development of the Future Long- Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) to create a promising multi-purpose helicopter.

The choice was made based on the results of preliminary flight tests of prototype demonstrators of both aircraft as part of the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) project to develop new concept helicopters for creating a family of promising Future Vertical Lift (FVL) army aviation helicopters.

Now, on March 16, companies that submitted both competing offers received U.S. Department of Defense contracts to continue R&D through the Competitors in the demonstration and risk reduction (CD&RR) phase. The Sikorsky consortium (part of Lockheed Martin Corporation) and Boeing received a $ 97 million contract to continue developing and testing the SB> 1 Defiant high-speed helicopter, and Bell (a member of Textron Corporation) received a $ 84 million contract to continue development and testing the tiltrotor V-280 Valor. The CD&RR stage should last two years, and in the fiscal year 2022 the U.S. Army should choose the only model for further full-scale R&D under the FLRAA program with the prospect of starting mass production in the fiscal year 2030 (the period looks clearly overly optimistic).

The requirements under the FLRAA program include the creation of a medium multi-purpose helicopter to replace the main American helicopter of this class Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, and provide for the transportation of 12 fully equipped infantry with a cruising speed of at least 230 knots (about 428 km / h) to a range of at least 229 nautical miles (424 km). The FLRAA helicopter should be equipped with two promising General Electric T901 turboshaft engines, created under the US Army Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE) program and having take-off power of more than 5000 hp.

In turn, the FLRAA (category JMR-Medium / FVL-Medium) acts as part of the more extensive FVL program, implemented since 2004 and providing for the creation of five types of new helicopters or aircraft for vertical take-off and landing to replace the entire fleet of U.S. Army aviation helicopters ( OH-58, AH-64, UH-60, CH-47), starting from about 2030-2035. At the same time, both competing groups under the FLRAA program also declare ongoing studies of shock versions of their machines to meet the requirements of the US Army in the Capability Set 3 / FVL-Attack subroutine (to replace the Boeing AH-64 Apache combat helicopter).

In 2013, the U.S. Army selected at the first stage of creating the JMR TD technology demonstrator under the FLRAA program, the V-280 convertible plan projects of Bell, the Sikorsky and Boeing high-speed helicopter SB> 1 Defiant, as well as the projects of the Karem Aircraft convertiplane and the AVX Aircraft high-speed helicopter. The last two initiative projects fell away in August 2014, although AVX announced and continues to state that it continues to develop its aircraft in the FLRAA competition at its own expense. Thus, competition for FLRAA is conducted between the “giants” of the US military-industrial complex, which, under the terms of the contracts provided in 2014, were supposed to provide their first prototype demonstrators by the end of 2017 (only V-280 convertiplane complied with this condition). In both cases, the U.S. Department of Defense funded no more than 20% of the cost of the companies in the first phase of JMR TD.

The first prototype demonstrator of the V-280 Valor convertiplane created by Bell as part of the JMR TD (the so-called Air Vehicle Concept Demonstrator - AVCD, registration number N280BH) made its first flight on December 18, 2017 in Amarillo (Texas), and has now flown more than 160 hours in test flights.

The V-280 was developed by the so-called Team Valor alliance of Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, Moog, IAI, TRU Simulation & Training, Astronics, Eaton, GKN Aerospace, Lord, Meggitt and Spirit AeroSystems. The V-280 serial tiltrotor with a crew of four is supposed to carry 14 troops. With a declared maximum take-off weight of about 30 thousand pounds (13620 kg; apparently there will actually be more), the device should have a maximum payload of up to 10 thousand pounds (4540 kg). The machine is almost completely made of composite materials and equipped with two turboshaft engines. The difference between the V-280 and the previous types of convertiplanes (in particular, the V-22 Ospey) is that it does not turn completely nacelles with engines, but only screws, due to the articulated shafts.

The prototype demonstrator V-280 is equipped with engines of the General Electric T64 series, however, production cars should be equipped with promising turboshaft engines General Electric T901 under the FATE program. The cruising speed of the machine should be 280 knots (520 km / h, hence the index "280"), the maximum - more than 300 knots (560 km / h). The ferry range is declared at 3900 km, the range (depending on the load) is from 930 to 1480 km.

In turn, the SB> 1 Defiant high-speed helicopter, presented by the Sikorsky and Boeing consortium, uses Sikorsky’s new rotor design combining counter-rotating coaxial rotors with a tail propeller driven by the rotor gearbox. This scheme was worked out by Sikorsky on an experimental X2 helicopter, which was tested in 2008-2011 and reached a maximum speed of 460 km / h, and on the demonstrator of the 5-ton S-97 Raider helicopter tested since May 2015, with a "passport" maximum speed of 444 km / h and cruising - 407 km / h.

The first flight prototype demonstrator of the SB> 1 Defiant helicopter (serial number 0001, registration number N100FV) made its first flight to West Palm Beach, Florida on March 21, 2019.

The maximum take-off weight of the first prototype SB> 1 is declared at 32,000 pounds (14515 kg), capacity - up to 18 people. The SB> 1 prototype is equipped with Honeywell T55 modified turboshaft engines with a takeoff power of approximately 4,000 hp. (these engines are used on Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters), which will provide a cruising speed of at least 250 knots (460 km / h). However, according to Sikorsky, the range required by FLRAA will be achieved only on SB> 1 in a serial configuration with promising General Electric T901 engines under the FATE program.





https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3961685.html

US Army Selects Sikorsky and Bell Projects for FARA Reconnaissance Attack Helicopter Competition

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Army selected the Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) Raider X and Bell 360 Invictus helicopter projects for the second phase of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) prospective reconnaissance and attack helicopter competition.

In the second phase of the FARA program, two selected bidders must build flight prototypes, the testing of which should be launched in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 (i.e., at the end of calendar year 2022). After the final selection of one sample, its mass production is considered possible from 2028.

The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, launched in 2018, provides for the development of a promising reconnaissance and attack helicopter for the U.S. Army aviation, which should complement the Boeing AH-64 Apache combat helicopters. In April 2019, the U.S. Army issued contracts valued at approximately $ 15 million for the development of competitive projects in advance for the FARA program to five companies - AVX Aircraft (in partnership with L-3 Communications Integrated Systems), Bell (part of Textron Corporation), Boeing , Karem Aircraft (with the participation of Northrop Grumman and Raytheon) and Sikorsky (owned by Lockheed Martin Corporation), with the presentation of advance projects by March 2020.

Bell is developing a completely new Bell 360 Invictus helicopter for the FARA competition, a pre-project which was publicly presented on October 1, 2019. The Bell 360 Invictus is similar to the previously-established RAH-66 Comanche reconnaissance and attack helicopter, created for the US Army Aviation jointly by Boeing and Sikorsky, whose program was closed by the US Army in 2004 for financial reasons. Although the main design characteristics of the Bell 360 Invictus have not yet been disclosed, however, apparently, it should be slightly larger than the Comanche and should be equipped with one promising General Electric T901 turboshaft engine in the 3,000 hp class, created under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP ) Also, the helicopter will have an auxiliary power unit. The support system is based on the new Bell 525 helicopter system, although a 40-foot rotor should only have four blades instead of five. The steering screw, as on the Comanche, is made according to the "fenestron" scheme. There are two very large supporting wings. The helicopter is equipped with an electronic control system, the crew is two people.

The developers claim that the Bell 360 Invictus should have a cruising speed of "more than 180 knots" with a maximum take-off weight (unnamed). The combat radius is claimed at 135 miles with a 90-minute barrage. The armament will include a 20-mm three-barrel turret gun and up to 1,400 pounds of combat load in the weapon compartments (the images show four Hellfire missiles in the weapon compartments on extendable launchers and eight more external-mounted missiles under the wing).

In October 2019, Sikorsky presented an advance project for the Sikorsky Raider X helicopter to participate in the FARA competition, which is actually a reduced single-engine version of the S-97 Raider experimental high-speed helicopter with a new Sikorsky carrier system with coaxial rotational rotors and a pusher propeller driven from rotor gearboxes. This scheme was worked out by Sikorsky on an experimental X2 helicopter, which was tested in 2008-2011 and reached a maximum speed of 460 km / h, and on the demonstrator of the 5-ton S-97 Raider helicopter tested since May 2015, with a "passport" maximum speed of 444 km / h and cruising - 407 km / h.

Recall that a little earlier in March 2020, the US Army chose the SB> 1 Defiant high-speed helicopter, presented by the Sikorsky and Boeing consortium, of the same carrier scheme as one of the two candidates to continue full-scale development on a competitive basis within the framework of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program to create a promising multi-purpose helicopter.

Thus, in the competition for a promising reconnaissance and attack helicopter under the FARA program, three other applicants failed - Karem Aircraft (with a rotorcraft AR40 project with a rotor, a propeller and large wings), the AVX and L-3 consortium (proposing the Compound rotorcraft project Coaxial Helicopter, which, in addition to wings, has a coaxial main rotor and two small pushing propellers) and Boeing Corporation, which only at the beginning in March 2020 presented its project of an original helicopter combining a six-bladed main rotor, has four blades th pushing screw and separate steering screw.

Helicopters created as part of the competition under the FARA program should be equipped with one promising General Electric T901 turboshaft engine in the 3,000 hp power class created under the ITEP program. FARA US Army requirements include a maximum helicopter speed of 333 km / h at an altitude of 1200 m.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3969692.html

Defiant-X high-speed helicopter project

On January 25, 2021, a consortium of American companies Sikorsky (as part of Lockheed Martin) and Boeing officially presented the project of a new high-speed helicopter Defiant-X, proposed for a tender under the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program to create a promising multipurpose helicopter for the US Army for replacement after 2035 of helicopters of the Silorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family. The Defiant-X helicopter is a development of the SB> 1 Defiant high-speed multipurpose helicopter demonstrator , which is undergoing flight tests since March 2019.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4243890.html

US Army chooses Bell Textron tiltrotor in FLRAA program


On December 5, 2022, the US Army announced that it had chosen the proposal of Bell Textron (part of Textron Corporation) in the competition for a promising multi-purpose aircraft under the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program to replace multi-purpose helicopters of the Sikorsky family ( Lockheed Martin UH-60 Black Hawk. Bell Textron has been awarded a US Army contract for the full-scale development of the FLRAA aircraft based on the previously unveiled Bell V-280 Valour tiltrotor demonstrator. The first flight of a full-fledged prototype of the Bell Textron tiltrotor under this contract should take place in 2024.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4624284.html

Another US wunderwaffle. Will probably be as successful as other wunderwaffles like Comanche and LCS. Or its own predecessor the V-22 Osprey.

U.S. Army canceled the FARA advanced reconnaissance and attack helicopter program

The U.S. Army is overhauling its aviation modernization plans, canceling the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program after prototyping activities and ending production of the Sikorsky UH-60V Black Hawk while committing to more UH-60M variants and production of the Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinook.

The service also will delay production of the GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engine program to ensure it can be integrated in the Boeing AH-64 Apache and UH-60.

The surprise announcement after close of business on Feb.8 overhauls the service’s acquisition plans, after Army officials for years have said FARA is a top modernization priority. Sikorsky and Bell had been competing for the program.

In an announcement, the service said the decision is based on a “sober assessment of the modern battlefield.” In addition to rotorcraft plans, the service said it will also phase out operations of the RQ-7 Shadow and RQ-11 Raven UAVs.

“The Army is deeply committed to our aviation portfolio and to our partners in the aviation industrial base,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said in an announcement. “These steps enable us to work with industry to deliver critical capabilities as part of the joint force, place the Army on a sustainable strategic path, and continue the Army’s broader modernization plan, which is the service’s most significant modernization effort in more than four decades.”

Canceling the major programs frees up resources for the Army to commit to a multiyear procurement of the UH-60M Black Hawk along with associated upgrades. The service will enter the upgraded CH-47F Block II Chinook into production, with a path to full-rate production.

The Army plans to continue the Bell V-280, the winner of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, as planned. The service will also increase spending in research and development to expand and accelerate uncrewed reconnaissance capability.

“We are learning from the battlefield—especially in Ukraine—that aerial reconnaissance has fundamentally changed,” Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George said in the announcement.

“Sensors and weapons mounted on a variety of unmanned systems and in space are more ubiquitous, farther reaching, and more inexpensive than ever before. I am confident the Army can deliver for the Joint Force, both in the priority theater and around the globe, by accelerating innovation, procurement and fielding of modern unmanned aircraft systems, including the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System, Launched Effects, and commercial small unmanned aircraft systems.”

Specifically, the Army says a review of FARA in light of technological developments and budget projections showed that the increased capabilities would be more affordably and effectively achieved by using enduring, uncrewed and space-based assets.

The decision is a repeat of history for the Army’s attempts for a scout helicopter.

The Army planned to replace the original Kiowa in the 1970s with the high-speed Lockheed Cheyenne, but the technology proved too challenging and the program was canceled.

The program that became the Sikorsky/Boeing RAH-66 Comanche was launched in 1983, with the goal of replacing the OH-58. But the Comanche also was canceled in 2004, with only two prototypes built.

Another replacement candidate—the Bell ARH-70 Arapaho—also fell victim to cost overruns and schedule delays several years later, triggering another cancellation.

In the aftermath of the Arapaho’s demise, the Army formed a plan to modify commercial helicopters into military aircraft, known as Advanced Aerial Scout, but this also was canceled.

The cancellation of the FARA program, however, may herald a change in how the armed scout mission is performed. The development of the “FARA ecosystem” has demonstrated air-launched effects from a variety of aircraft, including Apaches, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-1C Gray Eagles.

The Army had requested $458 million for FARA’s competitive prototype flight testing, which had been expected for 2023 but pushed back a year because of T901 delays.

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/us-army-cancels-fara-overhaul-aviation-plans

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4801074.html