Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant, competitor for the United States Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program
Posted by RLoret@reddit | WeirdWings | View on Reddit | 13 comments
slagwa@reddit
Needs more revolving propellarly thingies
Inevitable_Yak_3975@reddit
My bet is they just end up keeping the same airframe anyway and all those prototypes and funds go to waste. Seriously has any of these "future X and Y vehicle" things the US army does ever resulted in replacing stuff made in the 70's?
AverageAircraftFan@reddit
The winner of this program is actively replacing the Blackhawk. The F-35A is actively replacing the aging F-16s. The F-35B just replaced the AV-8B this year. The F/A-XX is currently planning to replace the F/A-18
Also, “made in the 70’s” is very misleading. No airxraft in service were actually MADE in the 70s, at least, not that i can think of. We have gone through numerous upgrades since then making aircraft substantially better.
The UH-1Y and AH-1Z are nothing like their original aircraft
Miuramir@reddit
Aren't all 70-ish remaining active service B-52H dating back to the last batches of 100-ish made in 1961-1962?
Inevitable_Yak_3975@reddit
should've specified that I count the F35 as a successful program, you're also correct that their track record on updating aircrafts is pretty good, I mixed up US army program for ground vehicles, oops!
Inevitable_Yak_3975@reddit
The engine powering this thing must be absolutely insane.
oskarwildeweiner@reddit
Such a beautiful aircraft
Reach_or_Throw@reddit
Oh dude this belongs in Deus Ex
lavardera@reddit
what do they currently fly in this role? Not the blackhawk?
SloCalLocal@reddit
Yes, Black Hawks. OP's pictured helicopter lost the competition to the Bell V-280 tilt-rotor, which will be dubbed the H-75 Cheyenne in service.
Sosemikreativ@reddit
Yes, that was the proposal for the Blackhawk replacement. Focus was on more range and velocity.
Pyrhan@reddit
I maintain that this kind of aircraft, or a militarized version of the Airbus Racer, would be ideal for shooting down shaheds in Ukraine, or whichever battlefield they (or similar) shows up next.
Can operate from any unprepared field (or ship helipad), fly faster than conventional helicopters to intercept its target, and slow down to match velocity and easily shoot it down.
AdmirableVanilla1@reddit
Yo dawg I heard you like spinny things