After losing to Bell Textron in the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program, this did not stop Sikorsky (part of Lockheed Martin) from offering a prototype design for the next generation scout helicopter in a new competition in the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program which was released for needs of the US Army (US Army).
Sikorsky introduced a prototype Next Generation Scout helicopter called the Raider X at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) defense exhibition. Billed as a light reconnaissance helicopter capable of carrying out attacks, Sikorsky said the Raider
Raider X is designed to operate in contested environments on the front lines of combat. "This is a sophisticated sensor, a central network hub and a powerful armed reconnaissance helicopter, all in one," a Sikorsky spokesperson said in a press release.
Raider X will be networked as a critical part of the combined arms force, allowing commanders on the ground to view and make critical decisions.
With future environments and threats increasingly complex and the pace of technological change accelerating, enabling rapid improvements and bringing real-time decision making closer to the fight is critical to mission success.
Meet the Sikorsky RAIDER X, a next-gen scout helicopter prototype for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition. #AUSA2023 pic.twitter.com/KJOptrpceL
— Sikorsky (@Sikorsky) October 9, 2023
Raider X was purpose-built with the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for the US Army to provide leap forward capabilities and enable rapid upgrades. Its adaptability was the starting point of decades of innovation.
Sikorsky Raider X (Sikorsky S-102) is a helicopter concept with two coaxial rotors and a single pusher propeller, designed by the Sikorsky Aircraft division of Lockheed Martin.
The Raider X concept was announced in October 2019. In March 2020, the US Army selected the Raider The Raider X and 360 Invictus concepts will be built as flying prototypes for competitions scheduled for 2023.
The Raider X, as required by the FARA program specifications, was designed to use a single General Electric T901 engine, developed under the Army Improved Turbine Engine Program as a new engine for future Army helicopters.
Based on the performance of the S-97 and X2, Raider X it is estimated to have a maximum speed of more than 460 km/h, with a flying height of more than 2,700 meters and estimated to weigh 6,400 kg.
Raider X adopting a cockpit design that uses side-by-side seats, not the tandem seats typical of attack helicopters.
For weapons, Raider X equipped with a 20 mm caliber internal cannon at the bottom of the nose. Other weapons, such as anti-tank missiles, and internal sensors are installed using a modular system, in accordance with FARA specifications, to anticipate future upgrades and obsolescence.