Next Generation Helicopter

[nikischutt]

Originally Posted by JohnM

And even more unbelievable ... British Life-boats are totally funded the same way, but Life-boat crews are unpaid volunteers.

All those curves could make the S-97 a challenging paper model though.

Keep on snippin' ... Johnny.

Similar to the NSRI here in South Africa.

Aaron Murphy is overdue on a new helicopter design, I reckon he can pull it off.

[papermate]

These googled pictures are for you to think about designing it, Aaron.

Papermate

[Isaac]

this is going to cost over $100 million a piece and they will be too scared to use it in combat. So why bother?


Look at the F-22. Finally got to drop a few smart bombs in Syria. About 10 years after it could be used.


Or look at the Apache helicopter in the former Yugoslavia. The US Army was so cautious that it was not used in combat.


Anyhow, based on looks alone, I like it alot.


Isaac

[murphyaa]

I'm looking into it. Definitely gonna have to go in Coast Guard colors though.

[elliott]

Would love to see this one modeled. It has a number of interesting features like the pusher propeller and the contra-rotating main blades. Should make for a great model.

[murphyaa]

It's next. Just got one more Dragon Lady to finish.

[SCEtoAUX]

Originally Posted by Isaac

this is going to cost over $100 million a piece and they will be too scared to use it in combat. So why bother?
Isaac

According to this site Production of Sikorsky?s S-97 Raider continues on track - 2/19/2014 - Flight Global the cost per aircraft will be $15 million.

Sikorsky’s stated price of $15 million each makes Raider a more expensive option for the army than conventional helicopters.

But the company says the US military will find value in Raider’s speed and capabilities, and it thinks Raider will become a serious contender for a scout replacement once test flights demonstrate its ability.

This site Sikorsky S-97 helicopter shoots for speed with unusual design - CNET says the cost of the two prototypes will be $200 million in private funds.

When all's said and done, the privately funded S-97 program will cost Sikorsky and its partners $200 million (75 percent from Sikorsky itself) for the construction and testing of two prototypes, the first of which was on display Thursday.

Of course, the $15 million price per aircraft does not take into account the inevitable rise in the final cost which always seems to happen in very large government contracts. Who knows, they just might be close to $100 million each once all of the colonels, generals, and politicians get through with it.

[murphyaa]

Some politician is gonna make sure each one has an expresso machine and genuine leather seats.

[Isaac]

There is no way you can purchase it for $15M. Maybe the exterior minus the engines, avionics, rotors and no tires......


A UH-60 Black hawk costs more than $20M equipped.

Look at the F-35. It was formally known as the JSF ( Joint Strike Fighter ). I bet the original quoted price back then was probably less than $20M. How much is it now?..........


Leather seats are the lowest cost items on airplanes.



Isaac

[nikischutt]

Regardless of cost, this thing looks cool. It's begging to be modelled.

Even if it's not bought, it might spur future development and advances in rotorcraft design. Let's face it, there have been few (if any) ground-breaking aviation advances in recent times.

Niki