Honeywell Engines for Sikorsky-Boeing DEFIANT X Advanced Helicopter

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Boeing selected Honeywell as the engine provider for DEFIANT X, the advanced helicopter for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition.

Honeywell will be providing HTS7500 turboshaft engine for the helicopter.

DEFIANT X is a complete weapon system that builds on the handling qualities and capabilities proven by the team’s technology demonstrator, SB>1 DEFIANT. It flies twice as far and fast as the venerable Black Hawk helicopter it is designed to replace. Currently undergoing testing in a digital combat environment, the aircraft continues to prove itself as the most survivable platform for mission requirements.

Sikorsky-Boeing submitted the proposal for DEFIANT X for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft in September 2021. Contract award is expected this year. 

The FLRAA program enable the Army to develop a new helicopter to replace its aging fleet of UH-60 Black Hawks by 2030.

The new HTS7500 engine is 42% more powerful than the newest version of the T55 that powers CH-47 Chinooks and offers the lowest total weight compared to other engines in its horsepower class.