June 27, 2020
The U.S. Army Has Big Plans to Replace Its Old Helicopters
What comes after the AH-64 and other helicopters?
by Caleb Larson
The Army is looking to replace its aging helicopter fleet with something that provides more capabilities. Sometime in early 2030, the winner of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft is intended to replace the UH-60 Blackhawk, which originally entered service in the late 1970s, and AH-64 Apache, which entered service in the mid-1980s. There are several contenders.
Sikorsky is developing the SB-1 Defiant in tandem with Boeing. Their prototype is based on the older but similar Sikorsky X2 design. Both designs use two counter-rotating propellers for lift, and a pusher propeller at the rear for forward movement, which allows for great top speed and increased range.
Bell, one of the joint developers of the V-22 Osprey, is also in the competition. Their tilt-rotor design, the V-280 Valor is in some ways similar to the earlier V-22, though it is sleeker and lacks the V-22’s heavy-lift capabilities.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-army-has-big-plans-replace-its-old-helicopters-163661
