SB-1 Defiant’s maiden flight

The SB-1 Defiant is a co-development programme between Sikorsky and Boeing, designed to inform the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift programme.
Sikorsky

The Sikorsky SB-1 Defiant made its maiden flight from Sikorsky’s facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 21, 2019.

The helicopter will be used to inform the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift programme as part of the Joint Multi-Role-Medium Technology Demonstrator programme.

Data gathered from the flight test programme will help define the US Army’s requirements for a future medium-lift helicopter, which is expected to enter service in the early 2030s.

David Koopersmith, Vice- President and General Manager, Boeing Vertical Lift, said: “The design and development of Defiant has revealed the capability advancement that is truly possible for Future Vertical Lift. Clearly, the performance, speed and agility of Defiant will be a game-changer on the battlefield and we look forward to demonstrating for the US Army the tremendous capabilities of this aircraft.”