The Sikorsky-Boeing SB 1 DEFIANT™ helicopter achieved first flight on March 21, at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach, Fla., site. The aircraft, developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company and Boeing, will help inform the next generation of military helicopters as part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program.
With its two coaxial main rotors and a rear mounted pusher propulsor, DEFIANT is unlike production rotorcraft available today. It represents a leap forward in technology to achieve the U.S. government’s desire for vast increases in speed and range while improving maneuverability and survivability in a cost-effective way.
DEFIANT aircraft’s use of X2™ Technology will allow the Army to penetrate from strategic standoff and exploit gaps created in complex Anti-Access Area Denial systems against near-peer adversaries.
