Thursday, 27 February 2025

Sikorsky presents the concept of the future X2 aircraft as an analogue of the F-35 for low altitudes and the need for a next-generation rotorcraft for the U.S. Army

 

S-97 above the Development Flight Center Sikorsky

Sikorsky shared its conceptual vision of the future X2 aircraft, presenting it as an analog of the F-35 Lightning II in the field of low altitudes.

After the cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program in 2024, Sikorsky continues to actively work on X2 technology. In fact, this technology is still among the candidates for NATO and South Korea's next-generation helicopter programs.

Front view of the S-97 Raider

An analysis of current operational conditions, including conflicts such as Ukraine, highlights the need for an advanced rotorcraft.

 In fact, the current conflicts have once again highlighted the vulnerability of helicopters, requiring them to fly low and fast in order to maximize their survival rate and make targeting the enemy more difficult.

Low and fast flight not only makes it difficult to detect, but also reduces the enemy's reaction time and thus reduces the time to aim weapons at helicopters. 

Conversely, high flight makes it easier to detect and gives the enemy more time to react, even if he is flying at high speed.Thus, survival is directly related to altitude and speed. To give some figures, at high altitudes, the detection rate is close to 100%, which significantly reduces survival. However, flying below 500 feet reduces the detection rate to about 40%, and at an altitude of 100 feet, the detection rate becomes minimal, only 7%, with a significant increase in survival.

According to Sikorsky, the main advantage of the X2 technology over a conventional helicopter with a single main rotor is its ability to fly faster and lower while maintaining good maneuverability.

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