United Technologies subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft has unveiled a prototype of its S-97 Raider helicopter, which is meant to replace the U.S. Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior fleet.
The Raider will be able to carry two pilots, six troops and external weapons. The single-engine helicopter will cruise speeds up to 253 miles per hour, which Sikorsky said is more than twice the speed of conventional helicopters.
Sikorsky, which unveiled the prototype in Florida, said it is developing the new aircraft with no funding from the federal government. The company is investing 75 percent of the costs, with industry partners kicking in the rest.
Fellow UTC subsidiary UTC Aerospace Systems said it supplied parts for the Raider’s flight control system as well as actuation, air management and sensing systems.
