Raider Ship 2 did fly before the Defiant. What I hadn’t accounted for was Sikorsky and Boeing lobbying to push FVL Capability Set 1 ahead of 3. How Sikorsky can claim however that the S-97 represents a lower risk development than the V-280 is beyond me. Especially since the V-280 has in six months flown more hours and faster than the S-97 achieved in over two years.
In no no way trying to dismiss Sikorsky’s X-2 Technology challenges and achievements. Just getting tired of Washington and defense contractor politics.
I doubt Boeing is pushing for Cap Set 1 to go first. They’re not teamed with Sikorsky on the Cap Set 1 end of the FVL line and I am not aware of a Boeing internal platform that would fullfit the Cap Set 1 requirements very well. Let’s see if they respond to the FARA program that the Army just announced a few days ago.