Sikorsky S-97 "Raider"

[RevDisk]

Sikorsky recently announced the S-97 "X2 Raider" in response to a request for information relating to Army’s Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) program.   

Two configurations were purposed.  For the armed reconnaissance mission, the X2 Raider helicopter will have a two-pilot cockpit, with the rest of the space reserved for armament and auxiliary fuel.  (aka the Ricky Bobby Option)  In an assault configuration, that space is used to hold six troops.  Both configurations allow increased speed, increased maneuverability, greater endurance, and the ability to operate at high altitudes over conventional helicopters.  And it's quite quiet as well.

[MillCreek]

Went with the Kamov approach for overall compactness, I see.

[RevDisk]

Went with the Kamov approach for overall compactness, I see.

Not for compactness.  Coaxial to defeat dissymmetry of lift.  We have a pusher prop, active vibration control, and a bunch of other "interesting" stuff under the hood.  So somewhat similar looks, very different internals.  The whole aircraft exterior is designed around removing drag.  This thing is build for speed.

[Strings]

Well, now you know what to send up here for Christmas...

[RevDisk]

http://www.sikorsky.com/StaticFiles/Sikorsky/Assets/video/LHT_VNR_102010_lowres.wmv

[AZRedhawk44]

Pshaw.

Doesn't have anything on Airwolf.

[Ben]

I don't know a lot about helos. What are the reasons / benefits of this tail rotor design? Is it basically a speed enhancement?

[Jamisjockey]

I don't know a lot about helos. What are the reasons / benefits of this tail rotor design? Is it basically a speed enhancement?

The standard tail rotor is designed to counteract the torque of the main rotor.  I'd imagine the counter rotating main rotors on this design elimate that need, so the pusher tail rotor allows it extra forward propulsion....
I
feel
the
need
for
speed!

[RevDisk]

I don't know a lot about helos. What are the reasons / benefits of this tail rotor design? Is it basically a speed enhancement?

The design is that there is no tail rotor.   

Jamis is correct.  No need for counter-torque with a coaxial, so we toss on the prop for speed.  However, the design also allows the airframe to pull maneuvers that are physically not possible to accomplish in a conventional setup.  In other words, we could fly circles around Airwolf. 

I do not want to be within a hundred miles of 160th when they get their hands on this...  It's fast, maneuverable in ways unimaginable to any sane pilot, and has plenty of interesting physics characteristics that I'm sure insane pilots will love exploring. 

[Harold Tuttle]

[41magsnub]

The design is that there is no tail rotor.   

Jamis is correct.  No need for counter-torque with a coaxial, so we toss on the prop for speed.  However, the design also allows the airframe to pull maneuvers that are physically not possible to accomplish in a conventional setup.  In other words, we could fly circles around Airwolf. 

I do not want to be within a hundred miles of 160th when they get their hands on this...  It's fast, maneuverable in ways unimaginable to any sane pilot, and has plenty of interesting physics characteristics that I'm sure insane pilots will love exploring. 

Yeah...  but airwolf can go mach 2..  and this go mach 2?   :)  Also, Airwolf can stuff shrike and hellfire missiles plus 6" copperhead guided artillery shells in what looks like a 2" tube..  can this do that too?   

[MillCreek]

Oh, I did not earlier see the pusher prop in the rear.  I thought they went with the co-axial rotors (like Kamov) just to eliminate the tail rotor.  Hmm, this should have some speed then with the auxiliary prop. 

[Strings]

Ok... his and hers, one for me and one for Spoon...

[Ben]

The design is that there is no tail rotor.   

Jamis is correct.  No need for counter-torque with a coaxial, so we toss on the prop for speed.  However, the design also allows the airframe to pull maneuvers that are physically not possible to accomplish in a conventional setup.  In other words, we could fly circles around Airwolf. 

Interesting. Is it constant or variable? My limited knowledge would lead me to believe that the design for increased speed would somewhat negatively affect the maneuverability that you'd have with a standard tail rotor. From what you said though, that's not only not the case, but you're increasing maneuverability. You're making my brain hurt.  

[Tallpine]

Not for compactness.  Coaxial to defeat dissymmetry of lift.  We have a pusher prop, active vibration control, and a bunch of other "interesting" stuff under the hood.  So somewhat similar looks, very different internals.  The whole aircraft exterior is designed around removing drag.  This thing is build for speed.

OTS engines?

From whom?

[AmbulanceDriver]

The design is that there is no tail rotor.    

Jamis is correct.  No need for counter-torque with a coaxial, so we toss on the prop for speed.  However, the design also allows the airframe to pull maneuvers that are physically not possible to accomplish in a conventional setup. In other words, we could fly circles around Airwolf.  

I do not want to be within a hundred miles of 160th when they get their hands on this...  It's fast, maneuverable in ways unimaginable to any sane pilot, and has plenty of interesting physics characteristics that I'm sure insane pilots will love exploring.  

So is your plan to have Skippy from MHI be your test pilot?  And does it have room for the setup he's gonna need to play heavy metal?

[TommyGunn]

 In other words, we could fly circles around Airwolf.  

Airwolf could go from zero to Mach one in ten seconds from sea level to 40,000ft.  
Now, the actual helicopter was a Bell 222 which tops out about 165 MPH.  It did have twin turboshaft Lycoming engines which is unusual for an executive "puddle-jumper" but nowhere near mach speeds.
When you can print every third frame of a 35mm. camera negative you can make an executive chopper with some fiberglass option add-ons look pretty good for way less than a billion dollars.
I enjoyed the tv show a lot ... in fact I have the complete DVD set ... but we do not yet have the ability to make real helicopters that can do the things it could do.
And, good grief, the ADF pod tubes were bigger than two inches .......  

[41magsnub]

Airwolf could go from zero to Mach one in ten seconds from sea level to 40,000ft.  
Now, the actual helicopter was a Bell 222 which tops out about 165 MPH.  It did have twin turboshaft Lycoming engines which is unusual for an executive "puddle-jumper" but nowhere near mach speeds.
When you can print every third frame of a 35mm. camera negative you can make an executive chopper with some fiberglass option add-ons look pretty good for way less than a billion dollars.
I enjoyed the tv show a lot ... in fact I have the complete DVD set ... but we do not yet have the ability to make real helicopters that can do the things it could do.
And, good grief, the ADF pod tubes were bigger than two inches .......  

Lighten up Francis

[TommyGunn]

Lighten up Francis

Who the ____ is Francis??

[RevDisk]

Oh, I did not earlier see the pusher prop in the rear.  I thought they went with the co-axial rotors (like Kamov) just to eliminate the tail rotor.  Hmm, this should have some speed then with the auxiliary prop. 

Ayep. 

OTS engines?

From whom?

LHTEC T800-LHT-801

Interesting. Is it constant or variable? My limited knowledge would lead me to believe that the design for increased speed would somewhat negatively affect the maneuverability that you'd have with a standard tail rotor. From what you said though, that's not only not the case, but you're increasing maneuverability. You're making my brain hurt.  

Variable, I believe. 

Increased speed does negatively affect maneuverability (with varying degrees of how just negatively), but you'd also not be gunning the engines if you were making a tight turn.   Usually.  Reason maneuverability is improved is because the tail rotor speed largely effects which direction you're aiming in a conventional.  With the X2, you just use the rotor mast.  Plus there's some additional physics involving the blade movement.  But yes, increasing speed and maneuverability both.

[TechMan]

Who the ____ is Francis??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrllCZw8jiM

[French G.]

Looks like the pusher prop is a must, I would assume the main rotor is pretty limited in terms of forward tilt of the tip path plane that regular helos use to go forward. Should lessen the rotor loading too, less pitch needed for forward motion. Fast. Want one in my garage, please send Hellfires and big gun.

[Ben]

I have to say one of my favorite parts of the video wasn't the high-tech stuff, it was the archival footage of (I presume) Sikorsky doing a test flight in his suit and hat. :)

[seeker_two]

Looks kinda small for eight people....unless they're hobbits or something....

...does this mean they're changing the slogan to "An Army of One-Half?".....






 

[Harold Tuttle]

4 Spacemarines get strapped to the wing pods in powersuits