Defiant X Dual Rotor Helicopter from Boeing and Sikorsky

The new Defiant X demonstrator helicopter from @Boeing and @LockheedMartin - owned - @sikorsky is a variant of the SB-1 Defiant, a rigid coaxial rotorcraft powered by two Honeywell T55 turboshaft engines. It’s competing against the Bell Valor 280 to replace the Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter currently in service with the Army’s Future Vertical Lift program. With its push propeller in the rear it can achieve speeds of over 230 knots, the Army’s new benchmark of speed for its next generation requirements and can carry 12 people or just over 5,300 lbs of cargo. As part of the Army contract it is chasing, the Defiant X has the ability to be flown remotely too, but this isn’t Timmy’s little RC copter in the back yard!

This joint effort by Sikorsky and Boeing broadens the reach of capability, and since they have a majority of fleet control in the US Army, the project has a better chance of receiving congressional support. They’re flight testing in West Palm Beach, Florida, so if you see one floating around let us know!

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