Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Sikorsky S-97 Raider
The Sikorsky S‑97 Raider is a high‑speed, compound helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to demonstrate advanced rotor‑craft technologies that could later be incorporated into the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program. First flown on 23 July 2015, the prototype emerged from a collaboration between Sikorsky and the U.S. Army’s Aviation Development Directorate, building on lessons learned from the X2 research platform that debuted in 2008. The S‑97 combines a coaxial main rotor system with a pusher propeller mounted at the rear of the airframe, a configuration that eliminates the need for a tail rotor and provides superior lift efficiency, reduced vibration, and markedly higher cruise speeds—up to 250 knots, well beyond conventional helicopters of similar size. The aircraft’s streamlined composite fuselage houses a fly‑by‑wire flight‑control system, advanced digital avionics, and a dual‑engine arrangement that enhances safety and payload capability. Its agility, speed, and reduced acoustic signature make it a prime candidate for reconnaissance, armed escort, and special‑operations missions. By proving that coaxial rotors and a pusher can be integrated into an operational platform, the S‑97 Raider has reshaped expectations for future vertical‑lift aircraft and paved the way for next‑generation rotorcraft such as the SB‑1 Defiant.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 11 metre
Performance
- Range
- 308 nautical mile
Production & History
- First Flight
- 2015
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- Wikidata ID
- Q1142731