Sikorsky S-97 Raider

The Sikorsky S-97 Raider is a proposed high-speed scout and attack helicopter, under development by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky plans to offer it for the United States Army's Armed Aerial Scout program, along with other possible uses.

Design and development
First proposed in response to a Request for Information for the Armed Aerial Scout program in March 2010, the S-97 was formally launched on 20 October 2010. It is intended as a possible contender for the United States Army's requirement for an Armed Aerial Scout to replace the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Other military roles are possible, with the U.S. Special Operations Command having expressed interest in the concept as a replacement for the MH-6 Little Bird, and the possibility of adapting it for civilian applications also exists.

Based on the technology from the Sikorsky X2 demonstrator, the prototype S-97s will be powered by a General Electric T700 turboshaft engine, however a more powerful engine, developed under the Improved Turbine Engine Program, is expected to become available. The S-97 will be capable of cruising speeds upwards of 200 knots.

The S-97 design includes coaxial main rotors and a pusher propeller, making the S-97 a compound helicopter. The S-97 will be capable of carrying up to six passengers, in addition to a flight crew of two in a side-by-side cockpit. However, the production S-97 is projected to be capable of flying with either one or two pilots, or autonomously. Space for a targeting sensor has been reserved, however it will not be installed in the prototype aircraft.

The S-97 was projected to undergo a program review in 2011, and is expected to make its first flight within 50 months. Sikorsky plans to build two prototypes of the S-97 as demonstrators. One prototype is expected to be used for flight testing, while the second is planned for use as a demonstrator. The first prototype was planned to fly in late 2013 or early 2014 near the release of the Armed Aerial Scout Request for Proposals. Sikorsky started construction of the two prototypes in October 2012. In September 2013, Sikorsky began final assembly of the first S-97 Raider following delivery of the single-piece, all-composite fuselage by Aurora Flight Sciences.

The aircraft is powered by one General Electric YT706 engine, the same engine used on the UH-60M Black Hawk. The first Raider is scheduled to fly at the end of 2014. One will be used for tests, and the other for demonstrations. Sikorsky wants to offer the S-97 for the AAS program, but also wants the helicopter to fly before the Army makes its downselect. Sikorsky and its suppliers are spending around $200 million on two prototypes, but production models must meet the $15 million unit cost budgeted for the program. The Army is still deciding whether or not to proceed with the competition or extend the service life of the OH-58 Kiowa.