Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky, and Boeing, have selected a range of Honeywell systems for the Defiant X helicopter, a finalist in the US Army’s ongoing future long-range assault aircraft (FLRAA) competition.
According to a Honeywell statement, Team Defiant selected Honeywell’s GTCP 36-150 auxiliary power units (APUs) for the helicopter.
The system features the latest compressor technology and is tailored to meet the aircraft installation and performance objectives of the US Army.
Honeywell Aerospace Power Systems vice-president and general manager David Shilliday said: “Our rugged and reliable GTCP 36-150-APU series is an ideal candidate to meet the installation and demanding performance needs of the Defiant X.
“Honeywell has delivered more than 10,000 of these APUs since production started in 1979, and we believe this new, low-risk version will help Team Defiant win the FLRAA competition.”
Sikorsky and Boeing also selected Honeywell’s main engine generator and APU generator.
The main engine generator will deliver electricity to the helicopter when airborne while the APU generator will provide electricity to the aircraft on the ground.
The new selections come more than two months after Team Defiant finalised Honeywell’s HTS7500 turboshaft engine for the helicopter.
The US Army launched the FLRAA programme in 2019 to procure a new utility helicopter that will eventually replace the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk from 2030 onwards.
The Defiant X is said to be capable of flying twice as far and fast as the Black Hawk helicopter.
The contract is expected to be awarded later this year.
