FVL: Sikorsky Shows Off S-97 Scout Chopper For Army
The S-97 Raider is Sikorsky's proto-prototype for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. It's competing with the Bell 360 Invictus -- but unlike the S-97, the 360 isn't flying yet.
The S-97 Raider is Sikorsky's proto-prototype for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. It's competing with the Bell 360 Invictus -- but unlike the S-97, the 360 isn't flying yet.
Before you can 3D print a part, you need a detailed 3D model of it. So Army Material Command is figuring out how to scan tens of thousands of parts. One method: pull apart an entire helicopter.
New Future Vertical Lift aircraft are just part of the solution. So are new tactics and technology upgrades for existing helicopters.
To seamlessly share data on everything from target coordinates to engine diagnostics, the Army is developing a standardized Modular Open System Architecture for all its Future Vertical Lift aircraft.
The Army isn’t just replacing old helicopters. It’s building a networked "ecosystem" of mutually supporting manned and unmanned weapons that can drive a flying wedge into Russian and Chinese air defenses.
Quality control problems at Boeing are just part of wider supply shortfalls that could hamstring Army helicopters in a major war.