The US Army is developing replacements for the Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters under its Future Vertical Lift programme. Here are the contenders for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.
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Top Trumps: Future Vertical Lift
The US Army is developing replacements for the Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters under its Future Vertical Lift programme. We check out the contenders for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft programmes.
Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft: the incumbent
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Rotors
1
Top speed
357km/h
Range
583km
Payload
1,200kg internal, 4,100kg underslung
People
4 + 11
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The UH-60 Black Hawk is so iconic it’s in a film title. Developed by Sikorsky, the UH-60 Black Hawk has been operational with the US Army since 1978. Variants of the Black Hawk are in service with or have been ordered by 25 international customers.
Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft: the candidates
Bell V-280 Valor
Rotors
2 plus wings (tiltrotor)
Top speed
560km/h
Range
3,900km
Payload
4,500kg
People
4 + 12
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The V-280 Valor is a third-generation tilt-rotor vertical lift helicopter in developed by Bell Helicopter Textron. Still in design concept phase, the aircraft is designed to perform multiple missions such as attack and transport with enhanced speed, maximum reach, and greater payloads.
Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant
Rotors
2 coaxial rotors
Top speed
391km/h
Range
424km (with FATE engine upgrade)
Payload
unknown
People
4 + 12
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SB>1 Defiant is a compound helicopter with rigid coaxial rotors capable of performing tight assault formations, close proximity landing, unique hovering, high-speed and low-speed flights due to its large angular rates and precision attitude control capabilities.
Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft: the incumbent
Bell OH-58 Kiowa
Rotors
1
Top speed
239km/h
Range
260km
Payload
907kg underslung |
People
2
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The Bell OH-58 Kiowa saw continuous service in the US military from 1969 to its retirement in 2017. The helicopter was deployed in all of the US major conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq. It is is still flown by a number of operators including Greece, Saudia Arabia and Taiwan.
Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft: the candidates
Bell 360 Invictus
Rotors
1 articulated rotor
Top speed
333km/h at mission weight
Range
250km with 90 minutes time on station
Payload
635kg
People
2
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The Bell 360 Invictus attack and reconnaissance helicopter features an articulated rotor and lift-sharing wing with space for a pilot and gunner. The system will be armed with a 20mm cannon as well as an integrated munitions launcher.
Sikorsky Raider X
Rotors
2 coaxial rotors
Top speed
460 km/h (estimated)
Range
> 570km (estimated based on S-97 Raider data)
Payload
unknown
People
2
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The Sikorsky Raider X is a coaxial helicopter which, unlike many attack helicopters, has its pilots sit side-by-side rather than in tandem. Raider X was developed from the Sikorsky S-97 design.
// Image credits: Main image and UH-69: US Army, V-280: Bell, SB>1: Lockheed Martin, OH-58: US Army, 360 Invictus: Bell, Raider X: Lockheed Martin.