Unveiling the Next Generation Military Helicopter | S-97 Raider

This is the Sikorsky S-97 Raider. A next-generation prototype helicopter designed specifically for the U.S. Army. Today, I'm bringing you to Sikorsky's Flight Test Facility in West Palm Beach, Florida to experience a full flight demonstration where you will have the chance to see what this helicopter is truly capable of.
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Huge thanks to Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky for having me out!
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[@tristanrondeau911]

Man the mix of the sounds of a helicopter and a turboprop is out of this world 😍😮

[@kinggooseman5373]

That’s my take from this, that sound is iconic already

[@ryanp6999]

It does sound amazing

[@efflehzere9153]

@@kinggooseman5373 Definitely not sneaking up on anyone, I saw a demonstration and with prop engaged it sounds wicked cool like a WW2 fighter screaming toward you with prejudice. Should scare the enemy into hiding

[@birdy8406]

Can't tell how sweet it sound when two coaxial propellers are in harmony. More than what it sounds, it is the feel you die for.

[@ghibraellewijaya4619]

the same with ka 52

[@reyalexandro]

I work at Sikorsky... I can't wait to see this one.

[@choasisgoated]

What do you do at Sikorsky?

[@reyalexandro]

​@@choasisgoated Scheduling

[@thureinmin7350]

You work at Sikorsky so that is a Chopper

[@reyalexandro]

@@thureinmin7350 Huh?

[@bobjosefuerte7516]

He’s like Sikorsky top guy

[@edjarrett3164]

I’m awed by your skill and talent in highlighting our military and cool new platforms like the S97 raider. I’m an 82 grad, we were just happy that the mainframe computer was still working. Flying for 26 years was amazing, but getting the next generation enthused is your game. Keep up the outstanding work!

[@SamEckholm]

Thanks, Ed!

[@MADmosche]

Reading a script written by someone else while standing in front of a camera…hmm not really any skill or talent there.

[@edjarrett3164]

@@MADmosche You are a cynic. You don’t believe people act altruistically. You should try commenting on things you know and refrain from those you don’t know. Nothing was scripted, but everything was real. I’m an aviator and USAFA grad, so I don’t make excuses for poor comments.

[@SamEckholm]

Thanks for watching! I decided to mix it up and take a more cinematic approach for this one. I really hope you guys like it! Looking forward to covering more aircraft and tech real soon.

[@luciananavarropowell6502]

Thanks for the great content!

[@jakecollins3586]

Best content creator

[@Calebs_Aviation]

Great job Sam! It looks epic! 😀

[@Nu4ter]

very cool video

[@craig3665]

The style seemed very similar to RTs Combat approved just so you are aware

[@donantilla329]

Speed and maneuverability; the Army will be proud to add this to their fleet. Congratulations to the team that designed and built the S-97, and thanks to all the talented mechanics and electricians that keep it flying.

[@nametag4277]

How does it avoid getting shot down by manpads?

[@samuelsnowdon2271]

@@nametag4277 flying low behind terrain and I imagine it can reach from really long ranges

[@donantilla329]

@@nametag4277 Manpads are a challenge if you loiter too long, and too close to a shooter. If the acoustic and IR and radar signatures are lower than current helicopters, that gives the shooter reduced time to know the Raider is nearby. Also, with the vast amount of networked tactical information that has become available, the helicopter has an improved chance of knowing where the hot spots may be. I'd also expect that Sikorsky would use similar build technologies to reduce vulnerable area so that, if hit, the chance of survival is improved. If you do a search on how rugged the H-60 Black Hawk is, and what detection and countermeasures are publicly known, that will give you insight. I participated in actual tests of selected countermeasures, and certain techniques help reduce vulnerability.

[@nametag4277]

@@donantilla329 that’s great information, I just don’t see them lasting long against China. Helicopters are indispensable in support rolls, but I can’t see them surviving long in an attack roll against any country with a half decent AA capabilities.

[@nametag4277]

@@donantilla329 would they be able to counter a manpad like the British Star streak that paints the helicopter with a laser a sends 3 tungsten darts at Mach 3? It’s only a matter of time until China developers a similar weapon. I guess my over all question is what per to per war has the attack helicopter proven itself as a force multiplier?

[@frooogle99]

hats off to everyone engaged in making this incredible machine!

[@DarkAeroInc]

Really like the coaxial counter rotating rotors on this. 😁🤓 Really cool you got to see this in action Sam!

[@neilk22]

Imagine the service intervals being quite short, and the skilled mechanics needed to do those services.

[@cairnsaviationvideography]

Love your videos Sam I always get excited when you release a new video keep up the awesome work mate!

[@nylisagibbs3281]

Can’t wait to see this! Love the content lately Sam

[@BlueCation]

This helicopter looks absolutely amazing, I've been looking forward to seeing it in action since the preview 😀

[@generalrendar7290]

I'm incredibly jealous that you got to crawl around and experience that sweet helicopter. I think it's the favorite to win the FARA.

[@RhinoZone305]

SAM that was hella heli-EPIC! No one else could do a vid of the S97 Raider justice like you did. Pilot stuff is great, but your skills for video, telling the story, and your magic at the 'Creation Station' are next level. Your choice to go down the cinematic lane was spot on. Awesome work as always Sam! 😎

[@SamEckholm]

Really appreciate that 🙏🏼

[@lucaslessing4725]

This military helicopter has amazing manoeuvre abilities,as well great speed.

[@augl2702]

Badass. Can't wait for the full video.

[@RK-oq3bx]

Nicely designed helicopter and looking forward to its operational excellence 👍

[@artichokie791]

Looking forward to seeing this in the battlefield one day.

[@catthewondahokulea6515]

As an Aviation Mechanic in training I feel for the guys who are the mechanics for this Helicopter. Imagine trying to fix that on base that does not have a Hanger for it. I have worked on the old Hiller UH-12E Helicopters and they are a blast to work on, but, this feels like trouble for Maintenance crew. Sam I know you are a Pilot but your ground crew always need love, the mechanics are the people who keep the machines going while pilots damage a good plane or helicopter.

[@musicistheanswer6234]

The great thing about coaxial rotor heads is that it removes the risk of retreating blade stall. Hence higher speeds can be achieved. On the flip side, the problem with that is then the leading edge of the rotors will be close to the speed of sound which can be very problematic aerodynamically speaking for the rotor blades (turbulence etc).

[@hammstah9578]

Awesome AF public relations work as always, Sam! Really informative, brilliant camera work and audio! Oh, wait, the Raider is freakin' amazing, too!!! What's its radar signature and how does its noise/acoustic signature compare to the 60, for example?

[@kazikoFPV]

As a designer of Apache Test platforms, I can't wait to get my hands designing trainers for these

[@steved9147]

As a former marin helo pilot of the CH53D I can tell you Sikorski makes some really good aircraft!

[@colin1927]

I live 20 minutes away from there! My neighbor was the Chief test Pilot for Sikorsky, he flew the X2 and the S97

[@colin1927]

He's not dead, he retired 😆@@aabbcc5154

[@victormanuelpolanco922]

Love the shape of the bird. Really cool and high- performing.

[@jameskang2380]

I remember watching this helicopter, on a documentary by Smithsonian being made in the 70s/80s. However, the Air Force shut it down even though the US army wanted it because the design resembles an airplane. This is amazing that Lockheed Martin was able to finally revive this project.

[@iamasmurf1122]

That was not why they shut it down ! In 1972 the design you are talking about was plagued with issues of vibration ! This also the S-97 is not new this was first designed in 2010

[@Tsudico]

I think you are thinking of the AH-56 Cheyenne, which was shut down by the Air Force even though it was very advanced for its time. As for the issues with vibration as the reason for the shutdown, a recent video by Megaprojects explained that a test pilot died when trying to push the craft specifically to find the source of the problem. Due to that test, the problem was solved before the project was shut down. I didn't even know about the AH-56 Cheyenne. The helicopter plagued with issues I grew up with was the RAH-66 Comanche.

[@h.cedric8157]

@@Tsudico it was shut down because the airforce insisted all CAS should be their responsibility, with the A-10. In fact the Cheyenne can do everything the A10 can but a lot better. That's why you see statistics of the A-10 getting hit and damaged a lot amongst all fixed wing CAS aircraft as far back as the Gulf war.

[@caper2x]

I want to see the troop-carrying version in action to get a better idea. But the Raider could be perfect to fill the army scout/light gunship needs. Love the small footprint, the coax rotors, and the prop. So, good luck, Sikorski.

[@user-pq4by2rq9y]

There isn’t a troop carrying version of the raider, it is the same aircraft with six seats inside the weapons bay.

[@seanrobbins7125]

​@@user-pq4by2rq9y I think he's talking about the defiant

[@brettmorton7365]

Wow that thing looks and sounds awesome.. and the speed, no other combination of rotors can do that. All the people at Sikorsky should be super proud 💪🏼💪🏼

[@nightsbeatswitchgood]

wild! my dad was a test pilot at sikorsky since about '07 and worked on the Raider program years ago!

[@BW-81]

Remember seeing a prototype inside a pavilion at either Farnborough or the Paris Air Show. Great to see it in the air.

[@ButterscotchAngel77]

Hi Sam! Another amazing video! Awesome! Hey my son, C3C at USAFA, just mentioned that you were at the academy filming! Look forward to watch the next video! Your videos are remarkable and great narration. Thank you for sharing 🙀🙀👏👏👏👏

[@SamEckholm]

Yes! Working on something special :)

[@i_was_made_for_this4912]

Really impressive. Hopefully the Army awards them the full contract.

[@justalpha9138]

My dad flew Blackhawks for over 22 years. I'm curious to see if this thing will make it because it looks damn capable!

[@xcq7222]

@@justalpha9138 that's awesome!! I thank him for his service

[@justalpha9138]

@@xcq7222 The Blackhawks were solid helicopters for a long time, and now it's time to pass the torch.

[@xcq7222]

@@justalpha9138 I'm not a big fan of how that new helicopter looks but I don't think looks of things are a priority for the us military

[@justalpha9138]

@@xcq7222 I do like how they look, but I understand why others wouldn't

[@skyequestrian]

Fantastic video as always! The content, filming, and editing are on point!

[@keith_jones]

Sam I am so glad I saved this for the big screen. I think this was the one to take a more cinematic approach, since you were basically stuck in the narrator roll. I loved the presentation. You still managed to convey the sheer joy of the moment for you watching the thing go through its paces. That is the very reason many of us like to watch your work. Bravi to you and your team on a job well done. I do wish you could have been more a participant. Alas, one does what one can. I eagerly await the next production.

[@SamEckholm]

Thanks Keith!

[@DOMINICAAVIATION]

An awesome video! This was incredible.

[@DaBeast34]

Insane how you got hands on with this aircraft and it’s not even fielded yet.

[@falkov1441]

3:04 Lets be honest this was the coolest part of the video like which air force base has a crocodile in their backyard pool lmao

[@kilik407]

An alligator, but apart from that detail pretty cool. 😁

[@user-SaputroYono]

Foreshadowing

[@wesvdell]

Great work, Sam! Keep it up

[@pabloendara5285]

That’s insane . The way the helicopter doesn’t till forwards is pretty cool . The prop on the back looks like a prop from the Hawkeye

[@kencase2179]

Looking forward to your next vlog.

[@7z.gPBESDj]

Great video, as always!

[@regarded9702]

It's funny, I was just looking for footage of the competitors for the new helicopters the army wants. All of a sudden, here this video is. Looks great as well

[@mjohnson9563]

another great video and very cool that we get a first look at it. The Pentagon must have just signed an order contract with them for this equipment otherwise they could not have paid you to go film it. I would imagine that the first few will start to roll off the assembly line in the next year which gives DOD time to figure out how to configure everything on it such as weaponry and fuel systems. To me it looks like a mini Black Hawk with a prop on the back side and the Army probably wants it to compliment the Black Hawk and the Apache. Once they start rolling some out of production maybe you can do a follow up on this one as I'm sure it will be fully loaded with all the bells and whistles and I would imagine OPSEC will clear most everything in favor of recruitment. The prop on the back is definitely a game changer on this one. It would be interesting to see what Bell and Boeing had for their prototypes. Thanks Sam

[@pcwizardstech]

Amazing video editing! Fan from Cincinnati.

[@SamEckholm]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@LauRoot892]

Greg 😂

[@heccort3843]

Love the helicopter

[@TheJttv]

Shocked you got this close. So cool

[@kaizen9554]

Impressive engineering right there. Utterly amazing

[@doseofjean]

I'm so surprised to see something local to my area! Really got me as a surprise! You should definitely spend some time here in WPB!

[@hildemarohernandez9576]

Thanks Sam, your videos are always impressive ....🤟

[@SamEckholm]

Thank you for watching!

[@edp5226]

i have been a fan of military technology for years, thanks for sharing insider

[@zachtheairplane3670]

This helicopter is so cool!

[@brianv1988]

Great job getting this footage of the demo

[@petecardona8203]

Awesome Sam! Thank you

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro 😎

[@squidusn71]

I remember watching a documentary on how the Apache came about. One of its development rival was a similar halo like this one with a pusher prop at the rear. It wasn't a dual counter rotating main rotor, so it still had the tail rotor as well.

[@yaserallan110]

You mean ah 56 Cheyenne the main reason it cost was too much at the same time it was so advanced

[@squidusn71]

@@yaserallan110 Yes, that's the chopper, thanks!

[@Scorpion65857]

intresting

[@jlutz63]

This is one badass helicopter

[@DMC619]

Sounds like a ww2 plane in a dive on the fast run🔥

[@aced6158]

That heli is hella clean

[@fluxmechanics]

Great video bro!

[@bigounce59]

It literally sounds like a racecar! ITS SO COOL

[@webhead7204]

Welp, at least it might end up in a museum somewhere. Sucks the Army went with the tilt rotor!

[@SamEckholm]

Different aircraft. This one did not compete against the 360 valor

[@moritz3085]

the hype is real🔥🔥

[@josephpiskac2781]

I was truly impressed with this aircraft however today I see the Bell Tilt Rotor is selected by the US Army. The Bell does appear to have greater capacity, greater range and better speed.

[@SeamusHilleary]

That’s probably the sickest looking helicopter I’ve ever seen.

[@mclovin6537]

When you said it was going fast, I was like 😮 is that fast? I was expecting like an airplane fast 😂

[@christianchauhan23]

💛 all your videos #Sam 👍 especially this one because it's about Future Military Helicopter🚁.

[@usafbuff]

Looking forward to seeing the Bell V-280 next!

[@blueeyes75115]

Nope,...they lost the contract.

[@portcybertryx222]

No not yet that was for the SB1 defiant which lost to the V280 valor

[@Rubbit2024]

Its only defiant x that lost the long range...but from my perspective, the valor v280 looks nimble if not then its not militaristic

[@skynote1728]

Don't say that😢

[@PavloLukashuk]

Interesting helicopter, I would work on that type aircraft! 👍

[@flyingkings2804]

If I apply to join the Air Force after college, am I applying for a specific job like if I was applying for the Air National Guard for Air Force Reserve? Or is it like the ROTC program where you apply to your top choices and get whichever they think is best?

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

Hopefully you can have a look at Bell Helicopters products. Their tilt rotor design seems promising.

[@Aircraft2.o]

Can’t wait to see this one

[@AnInterestedObserver]

Brilliant video. Thanks.

[@tluangasailo3663]

One of the coolest helicopter 🚁 I ever seen

[@Kinzarr4ever]

I've seen enough old tv-reruns that my mind immediately began playing the 'Airwolf' theme music :D

[@Matthew0014]

This is a amazing helicopter and really how fast it goes is incredible hope the army loves it!

[@Eagle52525]

Well it’s not a done deal yet. This is Sikorsky’s tech demonstrator not an army helicopter. The army has not decided between Bell and Sikorsky who will provide the FARA helicopter.

[@goobfilmcast4239]

That was the best pilot brief I have EVER HEARD !

[@augl2702]

That machine is Awesome.

[@vivarevolution3527]

Man this is indeed the future 🔥

[@TonyAndersonMusic]

I love America. I love this machine. Well done.

[@chilledburrito]

oh, i remember seeing something about this, not too long ago. it looks cool, performs well, lets hope it doesn't become a gimmick of the past.

[@dysuuu]

been missing you sam!!!

[@user-pq4by2rq9y]

I hope Sikorsky build a light attack variant of this. Replace the wheels with skids, the internal weapons bay with a fixed wing mount, add a targeting pod to the nose, switch to in-line seats to reduce drag (same config as jet fighters) and have this little thing provide light close air support in forward flight with a 30mm on the back and a pair of hellfires on each wing, the copilot acting like a weapons specialist through a VR headset with video feed from the nose (similar to FPV drones). A high tech little bird that can flex into scout duty. Easy drone conversion too. Probably is a good idea to have this aircraft feed targeting information to ground assets so it doesn't need to carry as much payload to begin with, keeping the frame light. It would be ideal for light close air support because: 1- it can be whenever you need, fast; 2- low maintenance; 3- can fly as slow and low as you want; 4- cheap operation.

[@Pistolita221]

I am excited for the new platform, and I know it's a major upgrade over the current light heli's I doubt it's now maintenance or cheap operation. It looks like it may have some radar reduction that may not be disclosed yet, which is infamously expensive to maintain. Radar reduction is great, it's not cheap, though. With the USA's modern fleet, if this was an attack heli I'd have it acquire targets from spotters on the ground and guided in with drone data, so there's less home-on-radar/EM emitter. We've already got a drone circling for recon, and Snipers mostly call in the birds anyways. Why risk giving the spotters position when you can fly your gunship in and out, with missiles that self-guide/lock via drone link from 80k feet? And the special forces drops from deep within enemy airspace is huge, too. Get in quick, low and with reduced radar signature, drop the boys off, and fly home without being caught, or preferably detected. Or to have a surprise air support platform, it is a very cool heli. Cool for being the fastest, but it also looks like it's radar absorbent. This is the kind of platform the USA actually needs, not clunky easy to spot brutes from last century. They're claiming some 6th gen fighters might not even have aileron, they'll produce heat to push the air around the plane's leading edge to control movement. And the SR71's successor is supposed to be made out of a composite ceramic because metal melts at those speeds. Wild stuff.

[@petaoXx]

hi Sam can you tell me off Wolf brand are your cargo trousers?

[@mahmoodsoleja9068]

Fantastic ! 👍

[@salifumohammed8177]

I can't wait to see

[@h.cedric8157]

I am curious as how the rear prop is controlled, is it mixed with the cyclic or the collective?? Is it mixed through fly-by-wire? Is there a new control lever?

[@moflixtv2573]

The main purpose of this helicopter is to deploy his passengers as fast as possible and return to the base. But this turboprop sounds wooow😍!!!

[@Sawer]

That sound is really good

[@TheKraken32]

That looks sick

[@thehabeeeeeb]

Best helicopter vid on the internet!

[@alwayswatching69]

Sam, did u use a drone or another helicopter to get the cinematic shots in the air? If drone what model did u use?

[@kuldeepardeshna]

dear Sam your all videos are amazing , mind blowing and next level, I'm huge fan of your videos and your cinematography , keep posting videos . I'm always waiting for your videos , love from india ❤

[@SamEckholm]

Thank you!

[@jpjh8844]

You should do a video on the USAF's new MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter

[@adriandiez3728]

This is an insane machine

[@aviationcatF22]

Can’t wait for the video!😎 Will you be at the 75 anniversary of the USAF at the Dayton AF museum?

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

Hi Sam, I’m surprised that you didn’t ask the pilot for a ride. A view from inside the passenger compartment would be great.

[@SamEckholm]

The prototype only has seats for the pilots unfortunately.

[@lawyermahaprasad]

You kidding me !! The best

[@texasranger24]

Sikorsky has the S-97 Raider compete with the Bell+Textron 360 Invictus in the AAS / FARA (armed scout) program. Meanwhile, the Sikorsky+Boeing SB-1 Defiant competes with the Bell+Lockheed V280 Valor for the FVL (long-range lift) program. Given how the US defense industry works, it is likely that both companies get one contract each, to keep every factory running, everybody employed. So if you like both Sikorsky or both Bell designs, get ready for a disappointment. The Raider has troop capacity while the Invictus does not, but that gives the Invictus better stealth properties, just like the Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche had. Not sure why they abandoned that design. Just to push a common scout and transport design when they know it's not very likely they'll get both contracts? The V280 seems to be the more mature design, faster and longer range. But the SB-1 might offer better handling and safety, as it is not a tilt rotor. This might really go both ways.

[@AssassinGT]

It's confusing keeping up with all the Armys replacement prototype programs going on but I believe this in contention for the FARA program going up against the Bell 360 Invictus. From appearances and an outsider perspectives it seems like the two have very different philosophies in terms of mission role architecture. The Bell seems much more of a focused attack helicopter where this one seems to be more of a high speed troop transport? Despite it's go fast abilities and precision maneuverability I don't know or feel how much focus is aimed at aiding towards it's combat effectiveness. I guess we'll see. The future of helicopter architecture is dictated by this FARA and the FLRAA program which both of Sikorskys proposals look very similar.

[@r-saint]

Invictus will lose the competition because the army needs a very fast helicopter to escort their V-280s. Invictus is way too slow it won't keep up with V-280 even at 'low' speed.

[@AssassinGT]

Honestly, normally I would agree with you but I really thought the same thing when they would of picked the Defiant X over the Valor, just because it was technically faster and given the complaints people had about the OSPREY about being unable to hot drop from underneath it when hovering. Yet they still picked it for some reason, so I don't think you can count the Invictus out just yet. It's all gonna come down to cost and who the army believes can handle production better. @@r-saint

[@gamingwithanoob]

amazing videos

[@drill_fiend1097]

Will you also review Bell 360 when it becomes ready?