Washington: DEFIANT X is an advanced utility helicopter and air assault weapon system that can fly low and fast, land quickly, deliver soldiers to the objective area (known as the “X”) and get out — all while evading the enemy in complex terrain.

It’s an agile, manoeuvrable aircraft that flies twice as far and twice as fast as the Black Hawk helicopter it will replace — and sits in the same operational footprint.

DEFIANT X builds on the handling qualities and transformational capabilities proven by SB>1 DEFIANT, a Sikorsky-Boeing technology demonstrator helping to inform the US Army’s future vertical lift requirements. Combined with unsurpassed experience in mission systems, training and sustainment, DEFIANT X will significantly advance the Army’s air assault capability with limited changes in tactics, techniques, procedures, training and infrastructure.

The helicopter is purposefully designed for the US Army’s Future Long Range Air Assault competition, a top modernization priority, and will revolutionize the way the Army meets threats in 2035 and beyond. It will be the fastest, most manoeuvrable and most survivable military helicopter in history.

With its rigid coaxial rotor system and pusher propeller, DEFIANT X incorporates proven Sikorsky X2 Technology™ to operate at high speeds while maintaining low-speed handling qualities.

This allows DEFIANT X to deliver speed where it matters – through tree lines, river beds, mountain ranges or contested urban environments – providing soldiers with unmatched manoeuvrability and survivability in high-threat air defence environments.

This critical capability allows crews to penetrate enemy defences while reducing exposure to enemy fire, so they can quickly insert and extract soldiers with all their mission equipment in position – when seconds matter.