Sikorsky Pitches Canceled Raider-X Helicopter to NATO After U.S. Army Program Ends
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, showcased its S-97 Raider coaxial rotor helicopter at the Farnborough International Airshow, two years after the U.S. Army canceled the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program for which the Raider-X was a finalist. Test pilot Bill Fell stated the company is now seeking new customers, including a potential bid for NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program, alongside European firms Airbus and Leonardo, and U.S.-based Bell. Boeing is also considering a bid. Sikorsky has indicated it would produce the aircraft in Europe to align with NATO's industrial base goals. The Raider's dual-rotor design, derived from Sikorsky's X-2 technology, allows speeds up to 240 knots and mitigates retreating blade stall, offering advantages for fast, low-altitude flight. The company is also evaluating a prospective program in South Korea.
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