西科爾斯基宣布推出搭載X2技術(shù)的S-97 Raider直升機后，僅僅過去6個月，這架堅實的共軸轉(zhuǎn)子直升機原型機已在其位于佛羅里達州西棕櫚灘研發(fā)飛行中心成功完成首飛。那里也是雙原型機Raider直升機的測試項目基地。
5月22日的飛行大約持續(xù)了1個小時，Raider駕駛員完成了一系列飛行操作，對飛機的盤旋與低速飛行能力進行了測試。首航結(jié)束后，Raider將進入進一步飛行測試階段，以測試未來戰(zhàn)斗操作的關(guān)鍵參數(shù)。這些操作包括武裝偵察、輕襲、輕型突擊與一些特殊操作。
Raider直升機是西科爾斯基創(chuàng)新部門系列項目中的一個，該部門是其飛機研發(fā)工程部中的技術(shù)開發(fā)組織。
“西科爾斯基創(chuàng)新部門有義務(wù)指出垂直飛行過程中遇到的重大問題，并展示對應(yīng)的解決方案，”研究工程部副總經(jīng)理Mark Miller表示。“讓一架全新的飛機成功起飛，尤其當(dāng)它具備能夠影響行業(yè)的性能時，這將是一項壯舉。這也正是西科爾斯基的核心價值觀：探索、挑戰(zhàn)、領(lǐng)先、并最終改變我們?yōu)榭蛻籼峁┑漠a(chǎn)品。”
西科爾斯基于2010年啟動S-97 Raider直升機項目，目標(biāo)是將X2旋翼飛機的配置變得更為成熟，并制造一架符合美國軍方對特殊操作與武裝偵察的要求的直升機，此外，還須改善未來垂直起飛（FVL）的相關(guān)技術(shù)。Miller表示，S-97 Raider直升機結(jié)合了各種先進的旋翼飛機技術(shù)，“當(dāng)這些技術(shù)用這種新方法結(jié)合起來的時候，就能創(chuàng)造出革命性的結(jié)果。”
該項目是由西科爾斯基飛機公司與53家行業(yè)合作伙伴100%投資建設(shè)。西科爾斯基提供了其中75%的投資，剩下的部分則由其他合作伙伴提供。
（如需了解S-97的更多背景信息，請登錄http://articles.sae.org/13583/）
這架基于X2共軸轉(zhuǎn)子的單引擎Raider直升機能夠發(fā)展成一架獨特的多任務(wù)直升機，可攜帶六隊荷槍實彈的軍人。這架電傳控制直升機將搭載用于起飛和前進的共軸反向旋轉(zhuǎn)旋翼葉片，以及用于高速加速與減速的推進器。該推進器可使飛機達到220節(jié)的巡航速度，為普通直升機的2倍，且沖刺速度預(yù)計可以高達240節(jié)以上。該機型的機身為單片復(fù)合機身，最大凈重僅略高于11,000磅。
“從這架飛機開始，我們著手研究未來的垂直起飛解決方案，而不僅僅是彌補短期內(nèi)的技術(shù)短板，” 西科爾斯基防御系統(tǒng)與服務(wù)部門總經(jīng)理Samir Mehta表示。“Raider高度結(jié)合了速度、操縱性能和聲學(xué)特征，西科爾斯基將以此為基礎(chǔ)，為軍方提供更多的與任務(wù)相關(guān)的飛機性能。”
今年3月，第二架Raider直升機原型機開始最終總裝，預(yù)計今年年內(nèi)完成。Raider直升機的展示飛行計劃于2016年進行。
Sikorsky’s S-97 takes successful first flight
Just over six months since Sikorsky opened the curtains to unveil its S-97 Raider helicopter featuring X2 technology, the first flight of the rigid coaxial rotor helicopter prototype was successfully conducted at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, FL, where the two-prototype Raider helicopter test program is based.
During the May 22 flight, which lasted approximately one hour, Raider pilots took the aircraft through a series of maneuvers designed to test the aircraft’s hover and low-speed capability. With first flight achieved, the Raider helicopter now moves into more progressive flight testing to demonstrate key performance parameters critical to future combat operations including armed reconnaissance, light assault, light attack, and special operations.
The Raider helicopter program is part of the portfolio of Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization within Sikorsky Aircraft’s Research & Engineering division.
“It is the Sikorsky Innovations charter to identify the toughest challenges in vertical flight, and to demonstrate solutions to them,” said Mark Miller, Vice President of Research & Engineering. “Getting an all-new aircraft into flight, especially one with game-changing capabilities, is a remarkable feat. This exemplifies the very DNA of Sikorsky Aircraft: to explore, to challenge, to pioneer, and in doing so, to ultimately change what is possible for our customers.”
Sikorsky launched the S-97 Raider helicopter program in September 2010, with objectives of maturing the X2 rotorcraft configuration and demonstrating a helicopter that meets current U.S. Army special operations and armed reconnaissance needs, while maturing technologies for Future Vertical Lift (FVL). According to Miller, the S-97 Raider helicopter leverages a mix of evolutionary rotorcraft technologies “that, when combined in this new way, results in revolutionary capability.”
The program is 100% industry-funded by Sikorsky Aircraft and its 53 industry partners, with Sikorsky providing 75% of the investment, with the partners providing the rest. (For more background on the S-97, visithttp://articles.sae.org/13583/.)
Based on the X2 coaxial rotor design, the single-engine Raider helicopter is capable of being developed into a unique multi-mission configuration that is able to carry six troops and external weapons. The fly-by-wire helicopter will feature coaxial counter-rotating rigid main rotor blades for lift and forward flight, and a pusher propeller for high-speed acceleration and deceleration. The latter feature contributes to it achieving cruise speeds up to 220 knot, more than double the speed of conventional helicopters. Dash speeds are expected to be up to 240 knot or higher. The aircraft features a single-piece composite airframe and a maximum gross weight of slightly more than 11,000 lb.
“With this flight, we have started the demonstration of solutions to not only near-term capability gaps but also solutions for future vertical lift needs,” said Samir Mehta, President of Sikorsky Defense Systems & Services. “With the Raider’s combination of speed, maneuverability, and acoustic signature, Sikorsky Aircraft is positioned to provide the military with essential mission-specific capabilities.”
In March, final assembly began on the second Raider helicopter prototype, which is on track to be completed this year. A demonstration tour of the Raider helicopter is planned for 2016
5月22日，西科爾斯基的S-97機型成功完成首飛?；赬2共軸轉(zhuǎn)子設(shè)計的Raider將能夠搭載6個小隊荷槍實彈的軍人。共軸反向旋轉(zhuǎn)主轉(zhuǎn)子與推進器有望使巡航速度達到240節(jié)。
西科爾斯基于2010年10月啟動S-97 Raider項目，目的是改進X2旋翼飛機的設(shè)計，并證明X2技術(shù)軍事應(yīng)用的可行性。