SB>1 DEFIANT™ can add power to propeller and main rotor to speed up without changing attitude; traditional helicopters must tilt their main rotor and fuselage to accelerate.
Maintaining level body increases situational awareness, while rapid acceleration in constrained spaces, minimizes exposure time to threats.
SB>1 DEFIANT™’s fly-by-wire control rigid main rotor and available hover power enables high agility at low speed.
Enables safe operations in complex, obstacle rich environments close to the ground.
Why It’s Mission
Critical
Why It's Special
SB>1 DEFIANT™’s rigid main rotor allows it to execute turns in half the distance of traditional helicopters.
Enables rapid orientation on the threat, increasing lethality and survivability.
SB>1 DEFIANT™ can reverse pitch on propeller to slow down; helicopters must flare in order to slow down thus losing sight of the target.
Maintains pilots’ eyes and weapons on target all the way to the objective.
Choose a Mission Maneuver
Precise Low Speed
Handling
Level Body Acceleration
Level Body Deceleration
High Turn Rate
Precise Low Speed
Handling
Level Body Acceleration
Why It's Special
Why It’s Mission
Critical
Level Body Deceleration
Why It's Special
Why It’s Mission
Critical
High Turn Rate
Why It's Special
Why It’s Mission
Critical
Assault aircraft like the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) fly low and fast, land quickly, deliver Soldiers to the X and get out — all while evading the enemy in complex terrain. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and partner Boeing have come together as Team DEFIANT to create an agile, maneuverable weapon system that flies twice as far and twice as fast as the BLACK HAWK — and fits in the same operational footprint. With Team DEFIANT’s unsurpassed experience in mission systems, training and sustainment, DEFIANT X will revolutionize the way the Army meets threats in 2035 and beyond. DEFIANT X is the best solution for the Army’s mission today, and the only solution able to adapt to the threats of tomorrow.
X2 speed, combined with next-generation flight control maneuverability, will dominate in future Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) environments. X2™ Technology offers revolutionary flight-control design that will enable deceleration and acceleration that is truly transformational. X2-rotor design will ensure extraordinary flight stability, safety and assurance in the most rigorous of tactical operations. DEFIANT X will be equipped with a proven optionally-piloted flight control system that will enable more reliable and safer operations in low altitude, obstacle-rich environments or in degraded, uncertain conditions. Providing speed where it matters, DEFIANT X is ready for the future battlefield.
Maneuverability
With unmatched range and survivability, DEFIANT X will change the way the Army fights – enabling crews to fly low and fast through complex terrain, where Army aviators spend most of their time. DEFIANT X incorporates Sikorsky X2™ Technology to operate at high speeds while maintaining low-speed handling qualities. This critical capability provides pilots with increased maneuverability and survivability in high-threat air defense environments, allowing them to penetrate enemy defenses while reducing exposure to enemy fire. DEFIANT X’s compound co-axial rotor system and pusher prop allows for a high degree of maneuverability in and around the objective which is also directly linked to survivability. DEFIANT X is the choice between just getting there and achieving mission success.
Survivability
Together, Sikorsky and Boeing have built more than 90 percent of the U.S. Army’s current military rotorcraft and have totaled more than 15 million flight hours. We’re the team that has produced iconic military rotorcraft including: BLACK HAWK, Chinook and Apache, and we are in the best position to deliver interoperability with the enduring fleet. With proven world wide supply chain partners, DEFIANT X will leverage an established, low-risk manufacturing capability that is augmented by a proven digital thread and advanced manufacturing processes in use today on the BLACK HAWK, Combat Rescue Helicopter and CH-53K. Sikorsky and Boeing’s joint resources and experience in JADO capabilities make the DEFIANT X team the best team to deliver a holistic weapons system to the Army.
Producibility
The digital thread will run seamlessly throughout the DEFIANT X design, development, production and sustainment process. DEFIANT X will be part of a connected logistical network that provides maintenance-free operating periods, improves interoperability and sustainment and lowers overall costs through the data analytics of condition-based maintenance. It's the choice between rebuilding infrastructure or seamlessly introducing the world's most advanced vertical lift weapon system.
Sustainability
DEFIANT X®: The Right Weapon System for the Next 50 years of Multi-Domain Operations
Composite Fuselage
Reduces vibration effects and limits corrosion in harsh environments.
Pusher Prop with Clutch
Provides high degree of maneuverability through quick acceleration and deceleration.
Cabin for 12 Combat Troops or 3,680 lbs. of cargo provides a survivable and networked space for Soldiers.
Cabin for 12 Combat Troops
Reduces parasitic drag and enables high-speed transport.
Retractable Landing Gear
Fully composite, rigid blades provide unprecedented maneuverability, agility, delivering a tactical advantage.
Advanced Coaxial Rotor System
Enables state-of-the-art rotorcraft stability and control, reducing aircrew workload for future autonomous ops.
Fly-by-Wire Flight Controls
Reduces vibration effects and limits corrosion in harsh environments.
Composite Fuselage
Provides high degree of maneuverability through quick acceleration and deceleration.
Pusher Prop with Clutch
Fully composite, rigid blades provide unprecedented maneuverability, agility, delivering a tactical advantage.
Advanced Coaxial Rotor System
Enables state-of-the-art rotorcraft stability and control, reducing aircrew workload for future autonomous ops.
Fly-by-Wire Flight Controls
Reduces vibration effects and limits corrosion in harsh environments.
Composite Fuselage
Provides high degree of maneuverability through quick acceleration and deceleration.
Pusher Prop with Clutch
Cabin for 12 Combat Troops or 3,680 lbs. of cargo provides a survivable and networked space for Soldiers.
Cabin for 12 Combat Troops
Reduces parasitic drag and enables high-speed transport.
Retractable Landing Gear
Fully composite, rigid blades provide unprecedented maneuverability, agility, delivering a tactical advantage.
Advanced Coaxial Rotor System
Enables state-of-the-art rotorcraft stability and control, reducing aircrew workload for future autonomous ops.
Fly-by-Wire Flight Controls
Front View
Side View
Top View
360° Spin
The transformational capabilities of speed, range and convergence in the DEFIANT X design delivers next-generation capabilities to the ground maneuver commander. Having the same operational sizing point as a BLACK HAWK enables DEFIANT X to land in formation, massing combat power in support of the ground tactical plan. Soldiers that have trained and deployed with BLACK HAWKs will be familiar with the proven crashworthy, survivable seating configuration of DEFIANT X. Maintainers will also appreciate DEFIANT X as it will leverage today's existing U.S. Army aviation support infrastructure.
Continuity
Future Vertical Lift > DEFIANT X®/FLRAA
Media Toolkit
SB>1 DEFIANT® Confined Area Landing
SB>1 DEFIANT® in Flight
Media Toolkit
DEFIANT X®
RAIDER X® / DEFIANT X®
SB>1 DEFIANT® Flight B-Roll
SB>1 DEFIANT® Confined Area Landing
SB>1 DEFIANT® External Load Lift
SB>1 DEFIANT® in Flight
RAIDER X® / DEFIANT X®
RAIDER X® / DEFIANT X®
SB>1 DEFIANT® Flight B-Roll