Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER prototype photo:Sikorsky West Palm Beach, Florida Sikorsky has turned on electrical power for the first time on i...
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| Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER prototype photo:Sikorsky |
Sikorsky has turned on electrical power for the first time on its revolutionary S-97 RAIDER™ helicopter prototype, signaling successful installation of avionics systems.
The major step towards completing the assembly, was achieved on May 28, 2014, at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center where the aircraft is being assembled.
The new light tactical helicopter is designed to outmatch conventional military helicopters in speed, maneuverability, and high altitude operations.
The fly-by-wire controlled helicopter features counter-rotating rigid main rotor blades for lift and forward flight, and a pusher propeller for high speed acceleration and deceleration at the fuselage aft.
The event powered the cockpit multifunction, control display unit (CDU) for the first time. The protoype will undergo electrical power and avionics Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPs) in the coming weeks.
The S-97 RAIDER is targeted to fly by the end of 2014 and demonstration to the U.S. military in 2015.
Sikorsky had earlier proved the efficiency of the rigid rotor co-axial design in S-97 in 2010 through its 6,000-lb. gross weight X2 demonstrator helicopter which achieved 250-knot flight speed, or twice the current speed of helicopters. It also demonstrated low pilot workload and low acoustic signature.
