August 2008
X2 Technology™
Demonstrator
First Flight
The first flight of the X2 Technology™ Demonstrator marked a historic milestone in rotorcraft innovation, proving the power of the combination of rigid coaxial rotors and a pusher propeller.
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September 2010
X2 Technology
Demonstrator
reaches 250 kts
The X2 Technology Demonstrator pushed the boundaries of speed, reaching 250 knots, further verifying that X2 Technology would have a tremendous impact on future helicopter design.
October 2010
S-97 RAIDER®
program launched
Following the success of the X2 Technology Demonstrator, Sikorsky launched the S-97 RAIDER program. RAIDER is a next-generation light tactical prototype helicopter capable of carrying six troops.
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July 2011
X2 Technology
Demonstrator
final flight
The Collier-award winning X2 Technology Demonstrator completed 23 flights and achieved a maximum cruise speed of 253 knots, paving the way for the S-97 RAIDER flight test program.
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September 2013
S-97 RAIDER
final assembly
begins
Final assembly for the S-97 RAIDER begins following the acceptance of the fuselage structure consisting of an integrated cockpit, cabin and tail cone.
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October 2013
Sikorsky-Boeing team enters Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program
Sikorsky and Boeing introduced the SB>1 DEFIANT to the world as part of the Joint Multi-Role helicopter program. DEFIANT is the third generation of Sikorsky’s X2 Technology based aircraft.
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October 2014
S-97 RAIDER
Rollout
Ceremony
The S-97 RAIDER was unveiled to customers, suppliers and media to kickoff the program’s flight test phase.
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May 2015
S-97 RAIDER
First Flight
The first flight of the S-97 RAIDER lasted about an hour as pilots took the aircraft through a series of maneuvers designed to test the aircraft’s hover and low-speed capability.
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October 2018
S-97 RAIDER reaches 202 kts
The S-97 RAIDER reached 202 knots, advancing rapidly through its flight test schedule. The suite of X2 Technologies enables the aircraft to operate at high speeds while maintaining the low-speed handling qualities and maneuverability of conventional single main rotor helicopters.
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January 2019
SB>1 DEFIANT
begins ground runs
The SB>1 DEFIANT ground runs marked the first step in the helicopters flight test program. With its two coaxial main rotors and rear-mounted pusher propulsor, DEFIANT is unlike production rotorcraft available today.
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March 2019
SB>1 DEFIANT
First Flight
The SB>1 DEFIANT’s maiden voyage represented a leap forward in technology to achieve the U.S. Army’s desire for vast increases in speed, range and maneuverability.
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October 2019
Sikorsky introduces
RAIDER X for the
FARA program
RAIDER X is Sikorsky’s concept for an agile, lethal and survivable compound coaxial helicopter, specifically designed for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program.
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JUNE 2020
SB>1 DEFIANT Expands the Flight Envelope – Achieved 205 Knots
On June 9th, 2020, the #SB1Defiant continued its test regiment and expanded the flight envelope, achieving 205 knots, surpassing the top speed of the legendary Black Hawk.
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February 2020
SB>1 DEFIANT and S-97 RAIDER fly in first public demo
The SB>1 DEFIANT, S-97 RAIDER and Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA) flew in a demonstration for Senator Tammy Duckworth and the Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. Following the flight demonstration Sen. Duckworth praised DEFIANT, saying “as an alpha-model Black Hawk pilot, I was salivating out there on the flight line.”
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March 2020
Sikorsky-Boeing team down selected for FLRAA CD&RR phase
The U.S. Army announced that the Sikorsky-Boeing team was selected to move forward in the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft’s Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction Program (CD&RR) program. Sikorsky is partnered with Boeing on the SB>1 DEFIANT program in order to meet the demands of the Army’s future vertical lift mission.
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March 2020
RAIDER X down
selected for FARA
The U.S. Army selected RAIDER X to move to the second phase of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competitive prototype program. This means that Sikorsky will further mature the design, development and build of the RAIDER X prototype, leading up to a flight test program.
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October 2016
X2 Technology Demonstrator donated to Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
The X2 Technology demonstrator resides today at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
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October 2018
U.S. Army Pilots Fly Autonomous Sikorsky Helicopter
U.S. Army pilots exercised supervised autonomy to direct an optionally-piloted helicopter (OPV) through a series of missions. The series of flights marked the first time that non-Sikorsky pilots operated the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA).
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