Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced the start of bladed ground testing, a major milestone, for the S-97 Raider programme. The Raider is an armed reconnaissance rotorcraft designed to significantly outmatch conventional military helicopters in manoeuvrability, payload, speed, range and high/hot environmental conditions.

“Testing all of the aircraft’s systems together, for the first time, marks significant progress in the development of this next generation helicopter and moves the program closer to first flight,” said S-97 Raider Programme Manager Mark Hammond.

During the ground runs phase, the S-97 Raider team is testing the first of two aircraft prototypes as a completed system for the first time. The team will perform initial ground tests with the aircraft tied down and will focus on verifying correct operation of the propulsion system, drive train, rotor control system and pilot-vehicle interface.

The S-97 Raider helicopter demonstrator programme is 100 per cent industry-funded. Sikorsky provides 75 per cent of the investment and the suppliers provide the remaining funding. Sikorsky’s goal is to attract government interest in the programme.