Sikorsky–Boeing SB-1 Defiant

Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing are jointly producing a medium-lift-sized demonstrator they named SB>1 Defiant{{Cite web |date=12 August 2014 |title=Sikorsky, Boeing Selected to Build Technology Demonstrator for Future Vertical Lift - SB>1 Defiant expected to fly in 2017 |url=http://www.sikorsky.com/pages/AboutSikorsky/PressreleaseDetails.aspx?pressreleaseid=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719215727/http://www.sikorsky.com/pages/AboutSikorsky/PressreleaseDetails.aspx?pressreleaseid=5 |archive-date=19 July 2015 |website=Sikorsky}}{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Andrew D. |date=16 October 2014 |title=Good things come in threes: Boeing-Sikorsky to develop two larger X2 offshoots for JMR and Future Vertical Lift |url=https://verticalmag.com/news/goodthingscomeinthreesboeingsikorskytodeveloptwolargerx2offs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716053555/http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/GoodthingscomeinthreesBoeingSikorskytodeveloptwolargerX2offs |archive-date=16 July 2015 |work=Vertical Magazine}} (also widely known as "SB-1"){{Cite web |last=Warwick |first=Graham |date=4 November 2013 |title=Sikorsky Moves X2 Technology Up A Size For JMR |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/sikorsky-moves-x2-technology-size-jmr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622081446/http://aviationweek.com/awin/sikorsky-moves-x2-technology-size-jmr |archive-date=22 June 2014 |website=Aviation Week}} for phase one of the program. Originally planned to fly in late 2017, its first flight was delayed in April 2017 to early 2018.{{cite web |last=Giangreco |first=Leigh |date=21 April 2017 |title=Defiant's first flight falls behind |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/defiants-first-flight-falls-behind-436400/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227013407/https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/defiants-first-flight-falls-behind/123773.article |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=20 April 2017 |website=FlightGlobal}} Once flight testing begins, the aircraft will be evaluated by the Army for further development.{{Cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Dave |date=18 January 2013 |title=Boeing and Sikorsky team up on US Army's JMR |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/boeing-and-sikorsky-team-up-on-us-armys-jmr/108495.article |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114044900/https://www.flightglobal.com/boeing-and-sikorsky-team-up-on-us-armys-jmr/108495.article |archive-date=14 January 2024 |website=FlightGlobal}}{{cite web |date=18 January 2013 |title=Sikorsky, Boeing Partner for Joint Multi-Role Future Vertical Lift Requirements |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sikorsky-boeing-partner-for-joint-multi-role-future-vertical-lift-requirements-187450051.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114045058/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sikorsky-boeing-partner-for-joint-multi-role-future-vertical-lift-requirements-187450051.html |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2013 |publisher=PR Newswire}} Sikorsky is leading the development of phase one with an aircraft based on their previous Sikorsky X2 design.{{Cite web |last=Sweetman |first=Bill |date=22 October 2013 |title=Boeing and Sikorsky Name New Rotorcraft |url=https://aviationweek.com/boeing-sikorsky-name-new-rotorcraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114045404/https://aviationweek.com/boeing-sikorsky-name-new-rotorcraft |archive-date=14 January 2024 |website=Aviation Week}}

Boeing plans to lead phase two, which is the mission systems demonstrator phase.{{Cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Dave |date=28 February 2013 |title=Sikorsky and Boeing to pitch 'X-2'-based design for US Army JMR TD effort |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/sikorsky-and-boeing-to-pitch-x-2-based-design-for-us-army-jmr-td-effort/108938.article |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815073605/https://www.flightglobal.com/sikorsky-and-boeing-to-pitch-x-2-based-design-for-us-army-jmr-td-effort/108938.article |archive-date=15 August 2022 |website=FlightGlobal}} The Boeing-Sikorsky team is seen to have an advantage with their large industrial base that may result in wider support from Congress. Their transport helicopters are the most-used in the Army currently.{{Cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=14 June 2013 |title=Boeing-Sikorsky Team Emerges as Frontrunner After EADS Quits Army Helo Competition |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2013/6/14/boeingsikorsky-team-emerges-as-frontrunner-after-eads-quits-army-helo-competition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609051234/https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2013/6/14/boeingsikorsky-team-emerges-as-frontrunner-after-eads-quits-army-helo-competition |archive-date=9 June 2023 |website=National Defense Magazine}}

Up to 2013, Sikorsky and partners have spent $250 million on X2 and Raider. The team and aircraft will be separate from the S-97 Raider. The team feels confident in the SB-1 Defiant and is paying for more than half of its design costs. The last project the companies teamed up for was the RAH-66 Comanche, which started in the 1980s and cost $7 billion before being cancelled in 2004. They say that factors outside their control, like budget cuts, "requirement creep", and a long development period caused problems with the Comanche and not team dysfunctionality. Under the Comanche program, each company built different parts of the aircraft. For JMR, employees from both companies will work together. The team named the suppliers in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Drwiega |first=Andrew |date=9 April 2015 |title=Sikorsky-Boeing Announces JMR Defiant Team |url=http://www.miltechmag.com/2015/04/sikorsky-boeing-announces-jmr-defiant.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212184048/http://www.miltechmag.com/2015/04/sikorsky-boeing-announces-jmr-defiant.html |archive-date=12 December 2023 |website=MilTechMag}} Swift Engineering Inc. supports the program with a major portion of the airframe structure designed and manufactured at the company's facility in San Clemente, California by an integrated team of Swift and Boeing employees.{{Cite web |date=30 March 2015 |title=Swift Joins Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant Team to deliver Next Generation Vertical Lift |url=https://swiftengineering.com/swift-joins-sikorsky-boeing-defiant-team/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930155732/https://www.swiftengineering.com/press/swift-joins-sikorsky-boeing-defiant-team/ |archive-date=30 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2019 |website=Swift Engineering}}

The timeline for the first flight has slipped several times. Originally scheduled for 2017, delays arose due to a requirement to implement automated fiber placement blade manufacture at the request of the U.S. Army.{{cite news |author=Reim |first=Garrett |date=9 October 2018 |title=Despite delays, SB-1 Defiant on track for 2018 first flight |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/despite-delays-sb-1-defiant-on-track-for-2018-first-452517/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923140027/https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/despite-delays-sb-1-defiant-on-track-for-2018-first-flight/129794.article |archive-date=23 September 2023 |work=FlightGlobal}} Further delays resulted in the first flight slipping past summer 2018.{{cite news |author=Huber |first=Mark |date=9 August 2018 |title=Sikorsky Defiant Moves Closer To First Flight |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-08-09/sikorsky-defiant-moves-closer-first-flight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212095315/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-08-09/sikorsky-defiant-moves-closer-first-flight |archive-date=12 December 2023 |work=Aviation International News}} Dynamic systems such as turboshafts, transmission, and rotors were scheduled to be tested at West Palm Beach, Florida, by the end of October 2018, before ground runs in November, then first flight to reach {{cvt|200|kn|km/h}} within six months.

The first prototype was unveiled in December 2018, and the first flight was pushed to early 2019.{{cite news |author=Waldron |first=Greg |date=27 December 2018 |title=SB-1 Defiant breaks cover |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-sb-1-defiant-breaks-cover-454669/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917102202/https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/pictures-sb-1-defiant-breaks-cover/130794.article |archive-date=17 September 2021 |work=FlightGlobal}} Ground runs began in January 2019; 15 hours of ground tests were needed before the first flight.{{cite news |author=Reim |first=Garrett |date=31 January 2019 |title=SB-1 Defiant starts ground run tests ahead of first flight |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/video-sb-1-defiant-starts-ground-run-tests-ahead-of-455448/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031171737/https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/video-sb-1-defiant-starts-ground-run-tests-ahead-of-first-flight/131207.article |archive-date=31 October 2023 |work=FlightGlobal}}

The first flight took place on 21 March 2019 at Sikorsky West Palm Beach site in Florida.{{Cite web |date=21 March 2019 |title=Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 DEFIANT™ Helicopter Achieves First Flight |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-03-21-Sikorsky-Boeing-SB-1-DEFIANT-TM-Helicopter-Achieves-First-Flight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215193220/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-03-21-Sikorsky-Boeing-SB-1-DEFIANT-TM-Helicopter-Achieves-First-Flight |archive-date=15 December 2023 |website=Boeing}} In the summer of 2019, flights were suspended to address a bearing issue with the main rotor. Flight testing resumed on 24 September 2019.{{Cite web |last=Parsons |first=Dan |date=16 October 2019 |title=Defiant back in the air after 'bearing creep' issue found on test bed |url=https://www.verticalmag.com/news/defiant-back-in-the-air-after-bearing-creep-issue-found-on-test-bed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213090901/https://verticalmag.com/news/defiant-back-in-the-air-after-bearing-creep-issue-found-on-test-bed/ |archive-date=13 December 2023 |access-date=26 November 2019 |website=Vertical Magazine}} The aircraft reached a speed of 211 knots during level flight in October 2020.{{cite web |last1=Judson |first1=Jen |date=14 October 2020 |title=Watch the SB-1 Defiant coaxial demonstrator aircraft hit 230 knots |url=https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/2020/10/14/sb-1-defiant-coaxial-demonstrator-aircraft-hits-230-knots/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210822122835/https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/2020/10/14/sb-1-defiant-coaxial-demonstrator-aircraft-hits-230-knots/ |archive-date=22 August 2021 |website=Defense News}} By December 2020, the demonstrator had logged 26 flight hours in 31 flights over the 21 months since first flight.{{cite web |last=Parsons |first=Dan |date=30 December 2020 |title=Defiant roars through flight test milestones in 2020 |url=https://verticalmag.com/news/defiant-roars-through-flight-test-milestones-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215193219/https://verticalmag.com/news/defiant-roars-through-flight-test-milestones-2020/ |archive-date=15 December 2023 |access-date= |website=Vertical Magazine}} By October 2021, the demonstrator reached a top speed of 247 knots in level flight.{{cite web |last=Reim |first=Garrett |title=Sikorsky-Boeing team to squeeze a bit more speed from SB-1 Defiant |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/sikorsky-boeing-team-to-squeeze-a-bit-more-speed-from-sb-1-defiant/145895.article |work=Flight Global |date=12 October 2021}}

In January 2021, Sikorsky-Boeing announced the Defiant X variant, specifically designed for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program.{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Kate |date=26 January 2021 |title=Sikorsky-Boeing Team Unveils Defiant X |url=https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/military-aviation/sikorsky-boeing-team-unveils-defiant-x/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215193219/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/military-aviation/sikorsky-boeing-team-unveils-defiant-x/ |archive-date=15 December 2023 |work=AVweb}} In February 2022, Sikorsky-Boeing picked Honeywell's new HTS7500 engine, a derivative of the Honeywell T55 engine that powered the SB-1 demonstrator, as the powerplant.{{cite news |last1=Beinart |first1=Matthew |date=10 February 2022 |title=Sikorsky-Boeing select new Honeywell engine to power FLRAA offering |url=https://www.defensedaily.com/sikorsky-boeing-select-new-honeywell-engine-to-power-flraa-offering/army/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215193220/https://www.defensedaily.com/sikorsky-boeing-select-new-honeywell-engine-to-power-flraa-offering/army/ |archive-date=15 December 2023 |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=Defense Daily}} In March 2022, Sikorsky-Boeing has selected Collins Aerospace to provide all three seating platforms and its Perigon as flight control computer.{{Cite web |last=Bellamy III |first=Woodrow |date=1 April 2022 |title=Next Generation Perigon Flight Control Computer to See First Placement in Defiant X Helicopter |url=https://www.aviationtoday.com/2022/04/01/next-generation-perigon-flight-control-computer-see-first-placement-defiant-x-helicopter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215193219/https://www.aviationtoday.com/2022/04/01/next-generation-perigon-flight-control-computer-see-first-placement-defiant-x-helicopter/ |archive-date=15 December 2023 |access-date=16 June 2022 |website=Aviation Today |language=en}}

On 5 December 2022, the U.S. Army selected the rival Bell V-280 Valor as the winner of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program.{{Cite web |last=Weisgerber |first=Marcus |date=5 December 2022 |title=Army Chooses Bell V-280 to Replace Its Black Hawk Helicopters |url=https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/12/army-chooses-bell-v-280-replace-its-black-hawk-helicopters/380487/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003043316/https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/12/army-chooses-bell-v-280-replace-its-black-hawk-helicopters/380487/ |archive-date=3 October 2023 |access-date=5 December 2022 |website=Defense One |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Capaccio |first1=Anthony |last2=Tiron |first2=Roxana |date=5 December 2022 |title=US Army Taps Bell Textron for Helicopter of the Future |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-05/us-army-picks-bell-textron-for-assault-helicopter-of-the-future |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230303041732/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-05/us-army-picks-bell-textron-for-assault-helicopter-of-the-future |archive-date=3 March 2023 |access-date=5 December 2022 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}

Sikorsky and Boeing state the design is to have a cruise speed of {{convert|250|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}, but less range due to using the "old" T55 engine. A new engine, the Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE), is to meet the radius requirement of {{convert|229|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |last=Gourley |first=Scott R. |date=8 October 2013 |title=Joint Multi-Role (JMR): The Technology Demonstrator Phase Contenders |url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/joint-multi-role-jmr-the-technology-demonstrator-phase-contenders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116141108/https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/joint-multi-role-jmr-the-technology-demonstrator-phase-contenders/ |archive-date=16 November 2023 |website=Defense Media Network}}{{cite web |last=Parsons |first=Dan |date=14 October 2014 |title=Sikorsky, Boeing finalise design of SB-1 Defiant |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-boeing-finalise-design-of-sb-1-defiant-404763/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018162637/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-boeing-finalise-design-of-sb-1-defiant-404763/ |archive-date=18 October 2014 |access-date=18 October 2014 |work=FligthGlobal}} Compared to conventional helicopters, the counter-rotating coaxial main rotors and pusher propeller offer a {{convert|185|kn|mph kph|adj=on}} speed increase, a 60% combat radius extension, and 50% better performance in high-hot hover operations.

Sikorsky has said that the X2 design is not suitable for heavy-lift size, and instead suggests the CH-53K for heavy-lift and tiltrotor for the ultra-class.{{cite news|last=Majumdar |first=Dave |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20110914/DEFSECT01/109140306/X-2-Maxes-Out-Medium-Sized-Role-Sikorsky-Executive |title=X-2 Maxes Out in Medium-Sized Role |work=Defense News |date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131020194641/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20110914/DEFSECT01/109140306/X-2-Maxes-Out-Medium-Sized-Role-Sikorsky-Executive |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 January 2019}} However, Sikorsky plans to build the {{convert|30000|lb|kg|adj=mid|-class}} JMR-TD (with a cabin 50% larger than the Black Hawk) at full scale to remove doubts about the scalability of the X-2 technology.

Sikorsky–Boeing states the SB-1 will be quick and nimble, with fast acceleration and deceleration, fast side-to-side movement, and the capability to hover with the tail up and nose down.{{Cite web |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=23 October 2013 |title=Sikorsky-Boeing confident SB-1 Defiant won't be the next Comanche |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/sikorsky-boeing-confident-sb-1-defiant-wont-be-the-next-comanche-/111457.article |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722143718/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-boeing-confident-sb-1-defiant-wont-be-the-next-comanche-392025/ |archive-date=22 July 2014 |website=FlightGlobal}} The Defiant demonstrator will be powered by the Honeywell T55, which powers the CH-47 Chinook. It will be slightly modified to better operate at slower propeller speeds, down to 85% rpm.{{Cite web |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=18 June 2014 |title=Sikorsky-Boeing select T55 to power SB-1 Defiant demonstrator |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/sikorsky-boeing-select-t55-to-power-sb-1-defiant-demonstrator/113544.article |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701160404/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-boeing-select-t55-to-power-sb-1-defiant-demonstrator-400556/ |archive-date=1 July 2014 |website=FlightGlobal}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

• Future Vertical Lift

|related=

• Sikorsky S-69
• Sikorsky S-97 Raider
• Sikorsky Raider X
• Sikorsky X2

|similar aircraft=

• Bell V-280 Valor

|lists=

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Sikorsky–Boeing SB-1 Defiant}}

• {{official website|https://www.boeing.com/defense/future-vertical-lift/index.page|Boeing}}
• {{official website|https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/sb1-defiant-technology-demonstrator.html|Lockheed Martin}}

{{Boeing rotorcraft}}

{{Sikorsky Aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant}}

Category:Compound helicopters

Category:Boeing aircraft

Category:Sikorsky aircraft

Category:United States military helicopters

Category:2010s United States experimental aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 2019

Category:Coaxial rotor helicopters