Page 14 - World Airnews Magazine March 2021
P. 14
FEATURE NEWS
DEFIANT X OFFERING
• Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil • Bell 412
ikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company,
Sand Boeing recently released details of
its advanced helicopter for the US Army’s Fu-
ture Long Range Assault Aircraft competition,
known as FLRAA. The aircraft, named DEFIANT
X, will be the fastest, most manoeuvrable and
most survivable assault helicopter in history.
Combined with the team’s unsurpassed
experience in mission systems and training,
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufac- it will revolutionise the way the Army
The Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, now Airbus Helicopters H125, tured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with meets threats in 2035 and beyond.
is a single-engine light utility helicopter originally designed and the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. DEFIANT X is a complete weapon system today – with room to grow and adapt to the “DEFIANT X is purpose-built for a
manufactured in France by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter. In The Bell 412 can climb at the rate of 6.86m/s. The maximum that builds on the handling qualities and trans- missions of tomorrow,” said Andy Adams, modernised Army that requires expanded
North America, the AS350 is marketed as the AStar. and cruise speeds of the helicopter are 259km/h and 226km/h formational capabilities proven by the team’s Sikorsky vice president of Future Vertical Lift. reach, survivability and lethality. This weap-
Top speed: 289 km/h respectively. The range is 745km, which can be extended up to technology demonstrator, SB>1 DEFIANT. “DEFIANT X not only includes the trans- on system will give soldiers unequalled
Range: 662 km 980km. The service ceiling is 6,096m. With unmatched range and survivability, formational aircraft, mission systems and technological advantage and connectivity
Weight: 1 241 kg Top speed: 259 km/h DEFIANT X will to fly low and fast through revolutionary attainment solution, but also over adversaries in a multi-domain battle
Cruise speed: 250 km/h Weight: 3 079 kg complex terrain, land quickly, deliver soldiers leverages Sikorsky’s and Boeing’s advanced space,” said Steve Parker, vice president
• Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Cruise speed: 226 km/h and equipment to the objective area or ‘the X’ manufacturing capabilities.” and general manager of Boeing Vertical Lift.
Range 745km and get out. DEFIANT X flies twice as far and With its rigid coaxial rotor system and pher DEFIANT X will revolutionise the Army’s
• Bell 407 fast as the venerable Black Hawk helicopter it propeller, DEFIANT X incorporates Sikorsky X2 air assault capability with limited changes
The Bell 407 is a four-blade, single-engine, civil utility helicop- is designed to replace. Currently undergoing Technology to operate at high speeds while in tactics, techniques, procedures, training
ter; a derivative of the Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger. The 407 uses testing in a digital combat environment, the maintaining low-speed handling qualities. and infrastructure while maintaining the
the four-blade, soft-in-plane design rotor with composite hub aircraft continues to prove itself the most This critical capability provides soldiers with Black Hawk helicopter footprint and tight
developed for the United States Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior survivable platform for mission requirements. increased manoeuvrability and survivability formation capability flown today.
instead of the two-blade, semi-rigid, teetering rotor of the “We are ready to deliver unparalleled in high-threat air defence environments, The Army is expected to release a request
206L-4. capabilities backed by proven technologies allowing them to penetrate enemy defences for proposal on FLRAA later this year, with
Range: 598 km that will truly transform the Army’s mission while reducing exposure to enemy fire. a contract award expected in 2022. Q
Top speed: 260 km/h
Cruise speed: 246 km/h
Weight: 1 210 kg
• Denel Rooivalk Would you ignore
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, a red flag?
medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Air-
craft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States
Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System competition
in 1972.
Top speed: 357 km/h
Range: 583 km
Weight: 6 191 kg
• Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
The Denel Rooivalk is an attack helicopter manufactured by
Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for "Red
Falcon". Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas
Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to
the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based Know more about your aircraft than ever before.
on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started develop- Insights from Spidertracks delivers actionable data
ment at the same time.
Development of the Rooivalk was protracted due to the im- and information on safety events in flight.
pact of limited budgets during the 1990s, and a desire to pro-
duce a highly advanced attack helicopter. The South African
The Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, also formerly known as the Air Force (SAAF) ordered 12 Rooivalk, designated the Rooivalk Join the revolution today, and be part of history tomorrow.
Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2, is a medium-weight multipur- Mk 1 in SAAF service, the first of was officially handed over in
pose twin-engine helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. April 2011. The helicopters are flown by 16 Squadron, based at
Top speed: 306 km/h AFB Bloemspruit near Bloemfontein.
Range: 649 km Top speed: 309 km/h
Length: 14 m Range: 740 km wwww.spidertracks.com/insights
Manufacturers: Denel Dynamics, Atlas Aircraft Corporation Q
World Airnews | March 2021 World Airnews | March 2021
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