Sikorsky, Boeing team on contract bid

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WASHINGTON, March 1 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing will submit a proposal to the U.S. Army to build a demonstrator aircraft based on Sikorsky's experimental X2 rotorcraft design.

The bid will be submitted for the Army's Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator Phase 1 program in support of the Army's Future Vertical Lift initiative for utility and attack aircraft.

"The Sikorsky-Boeing proposal will demonstrate how X2 Technology with counter-rotating coaxial main rotors and a pusher propeller and advanced fly-by-wire system, will deliver efficient 230-knot cruise airspeed, improved hover efficiency, and weight optimized design in an affordable package," said Sikorsky Military Systems President Samir Mehta.

"By leveraging our proven design, we can offer the Army reduced risk, a 100-knot improvement in speed, a 60 percent improvement in combat radius and 50 percent better high-hot hover performance."

"The Sikorsky-Boeing team for JMR TD is truly a team of equals," said Leanne Caret, vice president and general manager of Boeing's Vertical Lift division. "Sikorsky will take the lead role in this JMR TD Phase 1 proposal, and Boeing will take a lead role for Phase 2, for the mission systems demonstrator program."

The Army announcement of the winning bid is expected this year.