Sikorsky S-97 Raider

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 2015 · helicopter

The Sikorsky S-97 Raider is an advanced compound helicopter demonstrator using X2 coaxial contra-rotating rotor technology and a rear pusher propeller to achieve speeds far beyond conventional helicopters.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	11 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Compound coaxial helicopter with pusher propeller
Two rigid coaxial contra-rotating main rotors — no tail rotor
Pusher propulsor at tail for high-speed flight

Immediately recognisable by its rigid coaxial main rotors with no tail rotor, clean fuselage, retractable undercarriage, and the large pusher propeller at the tail.

Specifications

The Sikorsky S-97 Raider has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 444 km/h (276 mph).
Typical crew: 2 pilots + 6 troops.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in May 2015, the S-97 was developed as a technology demonstrator for the US Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition, building on lessons from the earlier X2 demonstrator. Two prototypes were built to validate high-speed rotorcraft technology.

Variants

The S-97 Raider is related to the larger SB>1 Defiant and led to the Raider X concept for the FARA competition, which Sikorsky ultimately won with a developed design.

Where you'll see it

Not yet in operational service; serves as a technology demonstrator. The derivative Raider X is the basis for a potential US Army production contract.

Related aircraft

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