Honeywell Chosen as Engine Provider for Defiant X Helicopter

(11 Feb 2022)  Honeywell has been chosen by Sikorsky and Boeing as the engine provider for Defiant X, the new helicopter for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition.

With Honeywell providing the HTS7500 turboshaft engine, the Defiant X is expected to be the fastest, most maneuverable and survivable assault helicopter in history.

“Defiant X is a transformational aircraft, and Honeywell is giving us a transformational engine to power it,” said Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky. “Defiant X is optimized for operational effectiveness, sustainment and interoperability with the enduring fleet, and will transform the army.”

Honeywell has been chosen as the engine provider for the Defiant X 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.

The aircraft 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 U.S. Army,” said Ricky Freeman, president, Defense & Space at Honeywell Aerospace. “We’re confident our HTS7500 engine on the Defiant X platform will provide the army with an agile, fast and maneuverable platform that will help ensure overmatch capability in the future battlespace.”

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.