Sikorsky X2 LTH for the armed scout helicopter contract

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Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today unveiled its X2 TECHNOLOGY Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) design at the Army Aviation Association of America annual convention. The new mockup reflects Sikorsky's concept for potential military application of the high-speed enabling X2 TECHNOLOGY. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

May 04, 2009 - Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today unveiled its X2 TECHNOLOGY Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) design at the Army Aviation Association of America annual convention. The new mockup reflects Sikorsky's concept for potential military application of the high-speed enabling X2 TECHNOLOGY. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

"These technologies can potentially bring new rotorcraft capabilities that, to date, have been unachievable by the industry," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. "In addition to doubling the speed of helicopters, this technology can improve hot/high performance, maneuverability and low acoustic signature. Sikorsky's Light Tactical Helicopter concept demonstrates a way to package these capabilities into an airframe that is tailored to meet a range of military missions."

The X2 TECHNOLOGY Light Tactical Helicopter multi-mission capabilities will meet both regular U.S. Army and Special Operations future requirements in a variety of combat roles. Sikorsky Aircraft has invested in the LTH concept to illustrate its commitment to developing future capabilities that are achievable and affordable. X2 TECHNOLOGY is scalable to a variety of military missions including assault, armed reconnaissance, close-air support and combat search and rescue, and unmanned applications.

Sikorsky Aircraft announced an initiative in June 2005 to develop an integrated suite of technologies called X2 TECHNOLOGY. The technology demonstrator aircraft, which achieved first flight in August 2008, is progressing toward the milestone of achieving 250 knot cruise speed. The project is funded entirely by Sikorsky.

The X2 TECHNOLOGY demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate a helicopter can cruise at 250 knots, while retaining such desirable helicopter attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, autorotation safety, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.

Among the innovative technologies the X2 TECHNOLOGY demonstrator employs are:
- Fly-by-wire flight controls
- Counter-rotating rigid rotor blades
- Hub drag reduction
- Active vibration control
- Integrated auxiliary propulsion system

The Dew Line (also with news of the Bell and EADS competitor offerings) and Ares noted that Sikorsky is trying to pitch the X2 LTH for the armed scout helicopter contract, with some of the details set out below:

May 4, 2009 - Watch out for on-the-spot reporting later from Bettina Chavanne at the Quad-A show, where Sikorsky has taken the wraps off a full-scale mockup of its X2 Technology Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) concept.

A much smaller model of the coaxial-rotor LTH has been making the rounds of the shows for a year or so now, so the mockup's unveiling at the Army Aviation Association of America show is significant. The Army is looking for an armed reconnaissance helicopter to replace the cancelled Bell ARH-70, but says its recent request for information showed nothing was available off the shelf to meet its requirements. So it's gone back to square one and started a new analysis of alternatives.

Sikorsky, meanwhile, says it couldn't deliver the high-speed X2 LTH before 2017-18, so its strategy seems to be to offer the Army the carrot of a completely new capability - if it can soldier on for a few more years with a combination of Kiowa Warriors, Apaches and unmanned aircraft in the armed scout role. The X2 would bring high speed with helicopter agility and the ability to go from the hover to 250kt and back without any rotary/fixed-wing mode changes.

Sikorsky's X2 Technology demonstrator is due back in the air shortly after the final mods to prepare for high-speed testing - connecting the pusher prop, fairing over the rotor hubs and making the gear retractable. The company expects to pass its 250kt speed target by year end - which should mean the results will be available in time for consideration by the Army as it analyzes its alternatives.

For older details on this topic for background reading see:

(i) 2005 story on X2, V-22 and other options; and

(ii) 2003 story of X2 pitched to replace CH-47.