FLRAA speed requirements lowered to 230 knots?
I thought the Army wanted the FLRAA to have a top speed of 250 knots, and potentially up to 280 knots. However I was advised today that the Army was dropping the requirement down to 230 knots. Can any one confirm?
|
Originally Posted by CTR
(Post 10894533)
I thought the Army wanted the FLRAA to have a top speed of 250 knots, and potentially up to 280 knots. However I was advised today that the Army was dropping the requirement down to 230 knots. Can any one confirm?
|
Defiant at 211 kts s&l, 232 in a descent, 2/3 prop torque.
https://news.yahoo.com/amphtml/sb-1-...131114297.html |
Thanks IFMU,
In the article text was my earlier question answer: ”WASHINGTON — The Sikorsky-Boeing developed SB-1 Defiant coaxial demonstratoraircraft hit 232 knots in a descent, and 211 knots in straight and level flight, meeting the U.S. Army’s speed requirements for its future long-range assault aircraft it plans to field by 2030.” However I believe any new lower speed requirement of 230 Kts would be in level flight, not in descent. |
At 2/3 power and 211 kts S&l, I'd project 258 kts max s&l.
|
Originally Posted by IFMU
(Post 10905135)
At 2/3 power and 211 kts S&l, I'd project 258 kts max s&l.
Lets establish a curve based upon Sikorsky's own statements: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...5-kt-in-flight The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant coaxial helicopter on 9 June reached a new top speed of 205 kt in flight while using less than 50% of the installed propeller power. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-...hits-230-knots 211 knots in straight and level flight...the aircraft was using about two-thirds prop torque and engine power to achieve the speeds. So that's 205 kt @ "less than" 50% power, followed by 211 kt @ 66% power, which would yield a best case blistering 224 kt at MCP (empty) |
So that's 205 kt @ "less than" 50% power, followed by 211 kt @ 66% power, which would yield a best case blistering 224 kt at MCP (empty) |
Originally Posted by SansAnhedral
(Post 10905148)
So that's 205 kt @ "less than" 50% power, followed by 211 kt @ 66% power, which would yield a best case blistering 224 kt at MCP (empty)
My quick estimate was by the square root of the increase of power. Also how do you know the weight? Any flight test program I've been involved with at Sikorsky has never been anywhere near empty weight. IIRC you said you were a key player on the X2, which means you know the effect weight has on speed for an X2 rotor. Edit: my bad, you said you did a bit on X2. So maybe you don't know. |
I don’t really think the data from press releases is sufficient to build any sort of credible speed-power polar, even for trash-talking purposes. The time required to advance another 6 knots is a legitimate issue, though. Makes me wonder if the 205 knot speed claim earlier was actually in a descent as well.
|
Originally Posted by SplineDrive
(Post 10905237)
I don’t really think the data from press releases is sufficient to build any sort of credible speed-power polar, even for trash-talking purposes. The time required to advance another 6 knots is a legitimate issue, though. Makes me wonder if the 205 knot speed claim earlier was actually in a descent as well.
|
Originally Posted by IFMU
(Post 10905201)
So - you are using a linear relationship between power and speed? Care to explain?
https://iili.io/3HsAZJ.png Even the hotrod low drag/FE X2TD fuselage power required slopes up with airspeed on the upper end of the envelope
Originally Posted by IFMU
(Post 10905201)
IIRC you said you were a key player on the X2, which means you know the effect weight has on speed for an X2 rotor.
Edit: my bad, you said you did a bit on X2. So maybe you don't know. |
Originally Posted by SansAnhedral
(Post 10905148)
Interesting extrapolation using only one data point.
Lets establish a curve based upon Sikorsky's own statements: https://www.defensenews.com/digital-...hits-230-knots So that's 205 kt @ "less than" 50% power, followed by 211 kt @ 66% power, which would yield a best case blistering 224 kt at MCP (empty) How does "...232 knots in a descent and 211 knots in straight and level flight..." meet FLRAA requirements? Am I missing something"? |
Originally Posted by Commando Cody
(Post 10906013)
How does "...232 knots in a descent and 211 knots in straight and level flight..." meet FLRAA requirements? Am I missing something"?
|
Defiant Total Flight Hours?
Has Lockheed or Boeing recently advertised how many total flight hours the Defiant has accumulated to date?
|
Originally Posted by CTR
(Post 10906414)
Has Lockheed or Boeing recently advertised how many total flight hours the Defiant has accumulated to date?
|
23 Flight Hours in17 Months?
Originally Posted by SplineDrive
(Post 10906554)
i read 23 hours in one of this week’s articles.
|
Originally Posted by CTR
(Post 10906930)
Thank you SplineDrive for the information. But is that information from a recent press release? It’s been 17 months since first flight.
|
From above article:
Defiant was close to hitting the 230-knot goal in June when it reached a speed of 205 knots. The demonstrator hit 100 knots in January. With the four months between press releases I have pondered what serious problems are crippling the program. When one of the pilots commented that the June-ish test card called for a 30 degree bank, but they did 45 degrees instead I suspected flight control issues (no competent flight test pilot would intentionally miss the targeted bank angle that much). Four months is about right for a flight control software mod so that accounts for one of the claimed sixteen flights. We know the S-97 top speed has been reduced to the 180 to 200 kt range by excessive drag and brutal vibration. It is a safe bet one or both of these are issues they are having to address as they are minimizing the FLRAA requirements to avoid outright cancellation. Any one want to give odds on another press release this year? |
Actually Sultan, maybe we should be giving props to the PR department rather than denigrating them. Their job is to promote the company's interests and put the best spin on what's going on. Their job is to keep accomplishments in front of the audiences' and customers' eyes. They really haven't been given a lot to work with here and so they're doing the best they can with what they have.
|
Originally Posted by The Sultan
(Post 10906991)
Any one want to give odds on another press release this year?
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 02:44. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.