Nichols Martin
A joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky subsidiary has completed the initial ground testing of a new compound helicopter in West Palm Beach, Fla., Rotor & Wing International reported Thursday.
The SB>1 Defiant helicopter spun its coaxial rigid rotors at slow speeds while remaining on the ground, as seen in a video posted Thursday.
“The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 DEFIANT helicopter has completed its initial ground run and is currently advancing through the ground testing activity in the build up to first flight,†the Boeing-Sikorsky team told the news outlet via email.
The aircraft uses Sikorsky's X2 rotor technology and is part of the U.S. military's Future Vertical Lift program.
The U.S. Army intends to use the helicopter for multi-role demonstrations.
