The Blackhawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky. The army designated the prototype as the YUH-60A and selected the Black Hawk as the winner of the program in 1976 after a fly-off competition with Boeing Vetrol YUH-61. Improved UH-60L and UH-60M utility variants have also been developed. The Black Hawk helicopter was and still is an amazing piece of military aircraft. One of the most fitting successors of the Black Hawk is now here – the Defiant-X.
Defiant-X is developed by “Boeing” and “Lockheed Martin”. It needs to be a worthy successor to the UH- 60 Black Hawk. So, it has been tested thoroughly and all its technical parameters are checked so that each and every parameter can run as desired. These tests were made during its first flight that took place on Jan. 5th.
Flight velocity of about 437 km/h was achieved, which is twice as fast as an average helicopter. It was approximately 39% faster than its predecessor. Moreover, this vehicle is having heavily improved stability as its new tail rotor construction and corresponding fixture positions lead to improved aerodynamics. This factor also contributes towards better visibility from the pilot’s cabin.
Defiant-X is designed in such a way that can land with much ease in difficult zones. These zones include uneven terrain. This helicopter has the ability to lift 2 military rocket launch systems weighing almost 4-ton. It has also shown some of its “fly-by-wire” controller functionality. This helicopter is an advanced utility helicopter and an air assault weapon system that can fly low and fast, can land quickly, and deliver soldiers to the objective area. It will revolutionize the Army’s air attacking capability. Thus this helicopter has been found the most maneuverable and the most survivable military helicopter in history.
Morgan, who is one of the Boeing engineers working on the Defiant-X program, said, “It’s an air assault weapon system with all the advantages of a traditional helicopter and the speed, range, and payload of an airplane.”
