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The aerospace company has been tapped to support Lockheed Martin-subsidiary Sikorsky and Boeing’s joint proposal for the US Army’s next generation assault helicopter program.
Honeywell has been named as the latest member of Team DEFIANT — a Sikorsky and Boeing-led cooperative participating in the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition.
The company’s HTS7500 turboshaft engine has been selected to power the DEFIANT X — an advanced manoeuvrable weapon system proposed for selection, designed to fly twice as far and twice as fast as the Black Hawk.
Mark Cherry, vice-president and general manager of Boeing Vertical Lift welcomed Honeywell’s participation in the program.
“Team DEFIANT’s strength is built on the experience of Sikorsky and Boeing, and a commitment to Army Aviation,” he said.
“Honeywell’s history with Boeing and the US Army makes us even more confident that DEFIANT X is the best fit for the Army’s total mission.”
Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky added: “DEFIANT X is a transformational aircraft, and Honeywell is giving us a transformational engine to power it.
“DEFIANT X is optimised for operational effectiveness, sustainment and interoperability with the enduring fleet, and will transform the Army.”
DEFIANT X is billed as a complete weapon system, which builds on the handling qualities and capabilities of the team’s technology demonstrator, SB>1 DEFIANT.
The helicopter is currently undergoing testing in a digital combat environment.
“Honeywell is excited to be a part of Team DEFIANT and proud to play a part in the future of vertical lift for the US Army,” Ricky Freeman, president, defence and space at Honeywell Aerospace said.
“We’re confident our HTS7500 engine on the DEFIANT X platform will provide the Army with an agile, fast and manoeuvrable platform that will help ensure overmatch capability in the future battlespace.”
Team DEFIANT X entered the competition in September 2021, with the US Army expected to award a contract later this year.
