西科尔斯基宣布推出搭载X2技术的S-97 Raider直升机后，仅仅过去6个月，这架坚实的共轴转子直升机原型机已在其位于佛罗里达州西棕榈滩研发飞行中心成功完成首飞。那里也是双原型机Raider直升机的测试项目基地。

5月22日的飞行大约持续了1个小时，Raider驾驶员完成了一系列飞行操作，对飞机的盘旋与低速飞行能力进行了测试。首航结束后，Raider将进入进一步飞行测试阶段，以测试未来战斗操作的关键参数。这些操作包括武装侦察、轻袭、轻型突击与一些特殊操作。

Raider直升机是西科尔斯基创新部门系列项目中的一个，该部门是其飞机研发工程部中的技术开发组织。

 “西科尔斯基创新部门有义务指出垂直飞行过程中遇到的重大问题，并展示对应的解决方案，”研究工程部副总经理Mark Miller表示。“让一架全新的飞机成功起飞，尤其当它具备能够影响行业的性能时，这将是一项壮举。这也正是西科尔斯基的核心价值观：探索、挑战、领先、并最终改变我们为客户提供的产品。”

西科尔斯基于2010年启动S-97 Raider直升机项目，目标是将X2旋翼飞机的配置变得更为成熟，并制造一架符合美国军方对特殊操作与武装侦察的要求的直升机，此外，还须改善未来垂直起飞（FVL）的相关技术。Miller表示，S-97 Raider直升机结合了各种先进的旋翼飞机技术，“当这些技术用这种新方法结合起来的时候，就能创造出革命性的结果。”

该项目是由西科尔斯基飞机公司与53家行业合作伙伴100%投资建设。西科尔斯基提供了其中75%的投资，剩下的部分则由其他合作伙伴提供。

（如需了解S-97的更多背景信息，请登录http://articles.sae.org/13583/）

这架基于X2共轴转子的单引擎Raider直升机能够发展成一架独特的多任务直升机，可携带六队荷枪实弹的军人。这架电传控制直升机将搭载用于起飞和前进的共轴反向旋转旋翼叶片，以及用于高速加速与减速的推进器。该推进器可使飞机达到220节的巡航速度，为普通直升机的2倍，且冲刺速度预计可以高达240节以上。该机型的机身为单片复合机身，最大净重仅略高于11,000磅。

 “从这架飞机开始，我们着手研究未来的垂直起飞解决方案，而不仅仅是弥补短期内的技术短板，” 西科尔斯基防御系统与服务部门总经理Samir Mehta表示。“Raider高度结合了速度、操纵性能和声学特征，西科尔斯基将以此为基础，为军方提供更多的与任务相关的飞机性能。”

今年3月，第二架Raider直升机原型机开始最终总装，预计今年年内完成。Raider直升机的展示飞行计划于2016年进行。

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