Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant makes first flight

The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant helicopter achieved first flight March 21, 2019, at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach, Florida, site. This aircraft, developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and Boeing, will help inform the next generation of military helicopters as part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program.

With its two coaxial main rotors and a rear-mounted pusher propulsor, Defiant represents a leap forward in technology to achieve the U.S. government’s desire for increases in speed and range while improving maneuverability and survivability through its use of X2 Technology.

Defiant is designed to fly at nearly 2x the speed and has 2x the range of conventional helicopters while retaining low-speed and hover performance of conventional helicopters.

The helicopter is participating in the Army's Joint Multi-Role-Medium Technology Demonstrator program. Data from Defiant will help the Army develop requirements for new utility helicopters expected to enter service in the early 2030s. This flight marks a key milestone for the Sikorsky-Boeing team and is the culmination of significant design, simulation, and test activity to further demonstrate the capability of the X2 Technology.

X2 Technology is scalable to a variety of military missions such as attack and assault, long-range transportation, infiltration and resupply. Defiant is the third X2 aircraft in less than 10 years.