Originally Posted by
The Sultan
CC,
You just burst the bubble of the BS team’s plan to replace the failed SB-1 Defiant with a “slightly” modified paper production proposal where the twin rotors are replaced with an X-wing. Similar approach to what Boeing tried to pull on their JSF with a switch from delta wing to a conventional wing/stabilizer layout.
Must admit hadn't heard that. If they tried that, you might as well just hand the production contract to Bell now. Aside from the fact that X-wing would be a far worse technology for FLRAA (at least X2 aircraft can fly), it would be radically different from the technology that was the basis for their award for the competition. Bell and all the non-selectees would have a very good case that Sikorsky was now proposing something completely different from what they said they were going to build.
In the case of JSF, Boeing changed their design because they realized their configuration could not easily fly the required carrier approach. It's worth noting that Lockheed found themselves in the same boat, but they realized it earlier and so changed their design before they actually cut metal (or composite
).
Keep in mind that Boeing is somewhat handicapped. Their last military aircraft of their own design entered service in the 1950s. Their JSF was the first (and only) aircraft of theirs to fly that had an afterburner or was designed to fly supersonically. They've
never had a helicopter of their own design enter production and in fact have only flown five airframes of one design in total.