US Army delivers FARA engines to Bell and Sikorsky
Both FARA contenders, the Bell Invictus and the Sikorsky Raider X (pictured), have been said to be around 98% ready. (Photo: Sikorsky)
The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competitors have received the first two T901 flight test engines for their Competitive Prototypes under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP).
‘The Army delivered the new 3,000 shaft horsepower engines to Bell’s 360 Invictus and Sikorsky’s Raider X programmes,’ the US Army noted in a statement. ‘Both competitors will integrate the engines into their prototypes which sets the conditions for aircraft ground runs in 2QFY24 and first flights in 4QF24.’
As Shephard reported previously, the service began accepting deliveries for ITEP in early October 2023 and had said it would hand the engines
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also urged caution over a “drone-tastic” way of thinking when it comes to their use alongside traditional air and underwater domain platforms.
-
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
-
Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said the decision to discontinue discussions on the fighter training detachment was mutually agreed with the US.
-
India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals
With US tariffs and stalled defence talks slowing imports, India has cleared a $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri‑service MALE UAVs with 60% indigenous content – accelerating self‑reliance as operational lessons from May’s four‑day conflict drive urgency.
-
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
-
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.