HANGAR TALK
Sikorsky’s Raider X Team Begins Installation Process Of U.S. Army’s Improved Turbine Engine
Sikorsky recently began the installation process of the U.S. Army’s new Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) on its Raider Xaircraft designed for the Future Attack Reconnaissance (FARA) program. The U.S. Army and Sikorsky engineers reviewed the engine after its arrival at the company’s West Palm Beach facility and then transferred it to the engine integration test lab next to the Raider X assembly area in October.
“Lockheed Martin’s model-based systems engineering approach gives the Sikorsky team confidence in this final phase of the Raider X build, which brings us one step closer to completing this weapon system that will match the rapid pace of the reconnaissance mission,” said Future Vertical Lift Vice President Andy Adams. “The data that Raider X gathers – and the speed and agility with which it operates – will support the Army’s mission for deep-sensing capability and unsurpassed networking, connecting soldiers and the joint force to the information they need to complete their missions. Raider X is currently 98% complete. After installing additional instrumentation, Sikorsky will begin engine installation immediately. Following that, final system tests and check-outs will be accomplished. Those will be followed by engine turn-on and drive system check out with the ITEP in the aircraft. After successful system checks, we will conduct flight acceptance testing and proceed to first flight.”
First flight of Raider X is expected in late 2024, when the engine and aircraft are approved for flight by the Army.
In addition to Raider X, the Army intends to transition the ITEP engine to the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet. “With increased fuel efficiency and 50% more power than the current engine, the ITEP engine is one of the cornerstones to Black Hawk modernization and will increase the aircraft’s lift capability and range,” Adams said. “As the U.S. Army fields Future Vertical Lift aircraft, the Black Hawk will remain the foundational tactical air assault and utility aircraft for the U.S. Army.”
For more information visit
www.lockheedmartin.com/raiderx.
Dart and United Rotorcraft Partner for Aerial Firefighting Innovation
Dart Aerospace recently unveiled a partnership with United Rotorcraft aimed at the development of an advanced aerial firefighting system tailored for the Airbus Super Puma family of helicopters.
The new aerial firefighting system will consist of a fixed, external belly-mounted water tank with a capacity of 4,000L (1,056 gal.) and system controls located in the cockpit. United Rotorcraft will also develop multi-mission equipment packages to extend the year-round value of the helicopter platform for operator- specific requirements. A key objective includes certification by FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada supplemental type certificates (STC).
“This partnership solidifies DART’s position as a leader in the helicopter mission equipment industry. Together, United Rotorcraft and Dart are reaffirming our commitment to delivering superior solutions to the firefighting market,” stated Alain Madore, president of Dart Aerospace.
“Our purpose at United Rotorcraft is to provide emergency responders the tools needed to save lives, and protect property and the environment — something that we share at our core with Dart Aerospace,” said United Rotorcraft President Larry Alexandre. “We are excited to be partnering with such a driven leader in the world of aviation to bring further innovation and versatility to the global aerial firefighting community by adding to our existing product portfolio.”
Currently, the companies leverage their experience producing similar aerial firefighting capabilities for other Type 1 helicopters. The new Super Puma system, an extension of their aerial firefighting solution portfolios, will provide the market with crucial wildfire attack capability for Type 1 rotorcraft where there is an estimated 25% capacity gap globally. With this long-term agreement, the team will identify and meet additional market requirements with a type-certified aerial firefighting system for operators of the Super Puma helicopter family, including new and legacy Airbus H225 and AS332 aircraft. Targeted end users include government agencies and commercial operators worldwide requiring a highly effective multi-mission solution.
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