The company states that Raider X is designed to provide vital intelligence while ensuring communication through a secure mesh network. It is engineered to fly low and fast, staying beneath tree cover to remain undetected.
Tailored to locate, track, and neutralize anti-access/anti-denial (A2AD) threats as well as hostile forces, Raider X is engineered to function in high-risk zones at the forefront of combat. According to a press release, it serves as a high-end sensor, a primary communication node, and a robust armed recon helicopter rolled into one.
“Raider X is a complete weapon system,” said Jay Macklin, Sikorsky’s director of Future Vertical Lift Business Development and a retired Army Aviator. “It provides significant reach, survivability and lethality – much more than exists with today’s enduring fleet. Raider X will be plugged into the network as a key part of the combined arms force, enabling the ground commander to see and shape the battlefield.”
Meet the Sikorsky RAIDER X, a next-gen scout helicopter prototype for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition. #AUSA2023 pic.twitter.com/KJOptrpceL
— Sikorsky (@Sikorsky) October 9, 2023
In the face of ever-evolving threat landscapes and rapid technological advancements, the importance of quick updates and decentralized decision-making is paramount for mission accomplishment. Raider X is explicitly designed with the Army's Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to offer advanced capabilities and facilitate quick enhancements. Its flexibility paves the way for ongoing technological innovation.
This combination of robust physical performance and transformative digital functions aligns precisely with Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security strategy, which aims to equip military personnel with the tools they need to tackle the multi-domain operations of the future.
The Raider X prototype was officially revealed at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) defense exhibition.
Source: Lockheed Martin
