I think once the Raider X proves to be good for Recon, Sikorsky will eventually unveil the secret project they are working on in conjunction to Defiant X. They haven't said much about it, but it will be the heavy attack version to replace Apache for heavy open battlefield combat. It's the Defiant X drivetrain/engine compatible twin seat Attack only variant.
the videos showed the helicopter with a fenestron but the floor model (mockup?) had a conventional tail rotor. Was the design changed or did they just not have to fenestron model ready to display?
News articles say they are going with a conventional tail rotor based on their 525 Relentless because it is proven. I would have preferred the fan tail though.
@@bl8danjil They also made the switch to help shed some weight. I suspect this helicopter will struggle to maintain 180 knots air speed. I really liked the looks of this helicopter, but changing the tail just makes it seem less special now. There's no telling what else they'll have to change before it's said and done. Plus I think the Sikorsky Raider is going to be really tough competition.
@@bryanrussell6679 The Raider and Defiant just don't seem ready yet. They are just now trying to upscale up to full size and the testing is behind Bell's offering. If the Army really needs a scout helicopter now, then the Invictus is it.
@@bl8danjil That's just it, the army doesn't plan to actually start implementing these until 2030. Bell hasn't even finished building a flying model of the Invictus yet. The V280 is the one that they're ahead of schedule with.
@@bryanrussell6679 Bell is building a conventional helicopter. The only thing that was kind of iffy was the Fenestron tail rotor which they switched away from. Meanwhile, sikorsky is treading into unfamiliar territory. If the Army really needed to field a scout helo sooner, the Invictus is the best bet and not the Raider.
Man, this so reminds me of the RAH 66 Comanche, too bad Sikorsky is not making that aircraft today, as it's now the right helicopter at the right time.
Bell 360 Invictus ebből a helikopterből egy nyolc darab kellene a magyar államnak és hadseregnek a Mi-8 helyett elavultak még akkor is hogy kicsit felújították őket.
I don't like the idea of giving BOTH contracts to the same company but Bell has really knocked it out of the park with their FARA & FLRAA designs.
Hard not to agree with this statement which you have made here.
God bless you Brotherhood for cost for Gods Plan for US!!
Bell's V280 + invictus for the win.
I think once the Raider X proves to be good for Recon, Sikorsky will eventually unveil the secret project they are working on in conjunction to Defiant X. They haven't said much about it, but it will be the heavy attack version to replace Apache for heavy open battlefield combat. It's the Defiant X drivetrain/engine compatible twin seat Attack only variant.
Looked better with the ductet tail rotor
Agree. I love the ducted rotor concept (Finestron) developed by the french 👍
I am still hoping that the raider and defiant get the contracts but bell's options are pretty good too
So finally a helo + Jet had a baby
the videos showed the helicopter with a fenestron but the floor model (mockup?) had a conventional tail rotor. Was the design changed or did they just not have to fenestron model ready to display?
News articles say they are going with a conventional tail rotor based on their 525 Relentless because it is proven. I would have preferred the fan tail though.
@@bl8danjil
They also made the switch to help shed some weight. I suspect this helicopter will struggle to maintain 180 knots air speed. I really liked the looks of this helicopter, but changing the tail just makes it seem less special now. There's no telling what else they'll have to change before it's said and done. Plus I think the Sikorsky Raider is going to be really tough competition.
@@bryanrussell6679 The Raider and Defiant just don't seem ready yet. They are just now trying to upscale up to full size and the testing is behind Bell's offering. If the Army really needs a scout helicopter now, then the Invictus is it.
@@bl8danjil
That's just it, the army doesn't plan to actually start implementing these until 2030. Bell hasn't even finished building a flying model of the Invictus yet. The V280 is the one that they're ahead of schedule with.
@@bryanrussell6679 Bell is building a conventional helicopter. The only thing that was kind of iffy was the Fenestron tail rotor which they switched away from. Meanwhile, sikorsky is treading into unfamiliar territory. If the Army really needed to field a scout helo sooner, the Invictus is the best bet and not the Raider.
Man, this so reminds me of the RAH 66 Comanche, too bad Sikorsky is not making that aircraft today, as it's now the right helicopter at the right time.
Bell 360 Invictus ebből a helikopterből egy nyolc darab kellene a magyar államnak és hadseregnek a Mi-8 helyett elavultak még akkor is hogy kicsit felújították őket.