Defiant in Sling Load and Single-Engine Flights

Helis, February 18, 2022 - In three demonstrations during the same flight, the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant helicopter demonstrated it is not only maneuverable, survivable and fast, but also provides the critical external lift capability of traditional rotorcraft.

With Defiant X, the team’s offering for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), crews will deliver troops and cargo to the objective in future combat at twice the speed and range of the current fleet.

Slalom maneuvers

The SB>1 Defiant continues to preform mission exercises completing slalom maneuvers at speeds between 60-100 kts proving how the helicopter will give soldiers the edge in future battles and help them evade enemy forces.

External load

In external load flight profile demonstration, the SB>1 Defiant flew a 3,400 lbs ( 1,500 kgs ) sling load at nearly 100 kts ( 185 km/h ) with a 20-degree angle of bank demonstrating the lift capability and maneuverability of the X2 technology that will allow soldiers to build combat power during the long-range assault mission.

Single engine

The twin-engine SB>1 Defiant was also piloted with one engine idling completing an approach, hover and landing