Originally Posted by
SplineDrive
When Sikorsky teamed with Boeing on SB>1, the Sikorsky troops were told that Boeing examined Bell's proposed tilt rotor and decided it wasn't a good aircraft, Boeing didn't have technology inside the firm to meet FLRAA goals, and that left Sikorsky with the technology Boeing wanted to partner with. Of course, that line was a bunch of BS……
So I don't know that Sikorsky's leadership really bet on Bell failing badly, but their schedule and flight successes were a shock……….
Both FLRAA teams were Partially funded to build prototypes by the US Army. Sikorsky/Boeing were awarded approximately 15% more than Bell was. The remainder of the funding required was ponied up by the companies as an investment.
Sikorsky and Boeing Defence divisions combined have over one hundred billion dollars in annual revenue. Textron Defense divisions have slightly over four billion dollars.
Sikorsky made a losing bet, that they did they didn’t need to invest more company funds and manpower to beat Bell, and win FLRAA. Both companies had the funds and manpower to perform much better than shown in the demonstration phase.