The US Army is developing replacements for the Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters under its Future Vertical Lift programme. Here are the contenders for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.

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Top Trumps: Future Vertical Lift

The US Army is developing replacements for the Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters under its Future Vertical Lift programme. We check out the contenders for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft programmes.

Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft: the incumbent

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

Rotors

1

Top speed

357km/h

Range

583km

Payload

1,200kg internal, 4,100kg underslung

People

4 + 11

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The UH-60 Black Hawk is so iconic it’s in a film title. Developed by Sikorsky, the UH-60 Black Hawk has been operational with the US Army since 1978. Variants of the Black Hawk are in service with or have been ordered by 25 international customers. 

Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft: the candidates

Bell V-280 Valor

Rotors

2 plus wings (tiltrotor)

Top speed

560km/h

Range

3,900km

Payload

4,500kg

People

4 + 12

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The V-280 Valor is a third-generation tilt-rotor vertical lift helicopter in developed by Bell Helicopter Textron. Still in design concept phase, the aircraft is designed to perform multiple missions such as attack and transport with enhanced speed, maximum reach, and greater payloads.

Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant

Rotors

2 coaxial rotors

Top speed

391km/h

Range

424km (with FATE engine upgrade)

Payload

unknown

People

4 + 12

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SB>1 Defiant is a compound helicopter with rigid coaxial rotors capable of performing tight assault formations, close proximity landing, unique hovering, high-speed and low-speed flights due to its large angular rates and precision attitude control capabilities.

Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft: the incumbent

Bell OH-58 Kiowa

Rotors

1

Top speed

239km/h

Range

260km

Payload

907kg underslung

People

2

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The Bell OH-58 Kiowa saw continuous service in the US military from 1969 to its retirement in 2017. The helicopter was deployed in all of the US major conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq. It is is still flown by a number of operators including Greece, Saudia Arabia and Taiwan.

 Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft: the candidates

Bell 360 Invictus

Rotors

1 articulated rotor

Top speed

333km/h at mission weight

Range

250km with 90 minutes time on station

Payload

635kg

People

2

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The Bell 360 Invictus attack and reconnaissance helicopter features an articulated rotor and lift-sharing wing with space for a pilot and gunner. The system will be armed with a 20mm cannon as well as an integrated munitions launcher.

Sikorsky Raider X

Rotors

2 coaxial rotors

Top speed

460 km/h (estimated)

Range

> 570km (estimated based on S-97 Raider data)

Payload

unknown

People

2

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The Sikorsky Raider X is a coaxial helicopter which, unlike many attack helicopters, has its pilots sit side-by-side rather than in tandem. Raider X was developed from the Sikorsky S-97 design.

// Image credits: Main image and UH-69: US Army, V-280: Bell, SB>1: Lockheed Martin, OH-58: US Army, 360 Invictus: Bell, Raider X: Lockheed Martin.