In the current global leading and gyroplane technology field, the United States' leading position is still unshakable. After six years and a huge project of up to $2 billion, Sikorsky and Bell, two giants in the field of aviation, were originally regarded as a showdown of the century in the field of the American aviation industry in the exploration and competition of the future armament of the US Army. However, with the sudden outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, this competition that has attracted global attention has unexpectedly suffered a major setback. 
Recently, the U.S. Army officially announced that it has canceled the high-profile "Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft" (FARA) program. This decision undoubtedly drew a regrettable end to this showdown of the century. The U.S. Army said that in real combat, especially in the conflict in Ukraine, it is deeply aware of the revolutionary changes in aerial reconnaissance means. The role of traditional armed forces on the battlefield is gradually weakening, while new reconnaissance methods such as drones and space sensors are gradually emerging and becoming the protagonists on the modern battlefield because of their higher popularity, wider range of influence and lower cost. 
The U.S. Army's Future Vertical Take-Off and Landing (FARA) program is a key program launched by the U.S. Army to replace its existing OH-58D Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance attack***. The program aims to develop a new VTOL aircraft with high mobility, advanced sensors and systems to meet the diverse needs of future battlefields. At the heart of the FARA program is the creation of a versatile*** vehicle capable of reconnaissance, strike, and fire support missions in adverse weather and nighttime conditions. This new model needs to be characterized by high speed, high maneuverability, long range and excellent battlefield survivability. In order to achieve this goal, the US Army has proposed a number of technical challenges and innovations in the FARA program. This includes the use of advanced engine technology, composite body structures, smart sensors and systems. During the implementation of the plan, the U.S. Army has worked closely with well-known military enterprises such as Bell, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin to jointly promote the research and development of new products. These enterprises have given full play to their respective advantages in the field of aviation technology and provided strong support for the realization of the FARA program. 
After fierce competition, in 2019, the competitive landscape of the FARA program was determined to be a showdown between Bell and Sikorsky, which has been integrated into Boeing. Bell Company proposed a bid for the Bell 360 "Unyielding" Armed Reconnaissance. In terms of power, this *** uses a General Electric T901 turboshaft engine (2200 kW 3000 horsepower) as the main power, and is also equipped with a Pratt & Whitney PW207D1 turboshaft engine (439 kW 586 horsepower) as auxiliary power. This unique power configuration allows the Bell 360 to provide strong power support during high-speed sprint flights and low-power standby on the ground. As a result, the Bell 360 reaches a top flight speed of 370 km/h, which, although slightly slower than Sikorsky's Raider X, still has a significant speed advantage over the conventional layout. 
Sikorsky's "Raider X" scheme, on the other hand, uses a unique composite propulsion method. This *** provides lift through two sets of rigid main rotors with coaxial reversing, while the tail is equipped with a pusher propeller that provides strong thrust to the Raider X. This design gives the Raider X a significant performance advantage. According to **, it is expected to have a cruising speed of more than 180 knots (333 kmh) and a range of more than 500 km. 
In addition to its superior power performance, the Raider X also features a three-pack 20mm cannon in the nose, demonstrating its powerful firepower configuration. In addition, the space at the rear of the cockpit of the aircraft is highly flexible. It can be used both as a cargo compartment for transporting supplies and as a crew compartment for carrying up to 6 soldiers. If armed missions are required, this space can also be quickly converted into a ** cabin, which can carry 4 anti-tank missiles or rocket launchers on the left and right sides. These are cleverly mounted above the hatches that open up and down, and when not in use, can be stowed away to reduce drag and radar reflection area during flight, improving stealth performance. 
According to the original plan, the U.S. Army originally planned to select the winners from the two bidding options of the Bell 360 Indomitable and Raider X in the summer of 2024. However, as we know, with the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the US Army's perception of battlefield reconnaissance methods has changed profoundly. Summarizing the experience of the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Randy George noted: "We have learned from practical experience on the battlefield, especially in the conflict in Ukraine, that aerial reconnaissance has changed dramatically. He believes that today's unmanned systems and sensors and systems in space are more ubiquitous, more extensive, and less expensive than ever before. This provides the US Army with new strategic opportunities and challenges. 
Based on this understanding, the US Army decided to cancel the FARA program and see it as a central link in the "aviation rebalance" strategy. In addition, the US Army plans to divest UAV projects such as the RQ-7 and RQ-11 to further adjust and optimize the structure of its aviation forces. These initiatives are designed to free up additional resources and invest in research and development of drone reconnaissance capabilities, which in turn will expand and accelerate the Army's progress in this area, including future tactical unmanned aerial systems and related technologies such as launch effects. This shift not only represents a revolutionary advance in the way battlefield reconnaissance is done in the future, but also poses a huge challenge to traditional aerospace manufacturers such as Sikorsky & Bell. The future armed *** project that they originally had high hopes for now seems to be no longer the mainstream choice for the future. How to adapt to this change and find a new direction of development has become a practical problem that these aviation giants must face. 
However, there are challenges and opportunities. The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the development of global military technology and battlefield models is undoubtedly far-reaching. It has accelerated the transformation of battlefield reconnaissance methods, and has put traditional equipment under tremendous challenges and transformation pressures. But at the same time, it also provides new opportunities for aviation manufacturers to innovate and grow. In the future, we look forward to seeing more new reconnaissance equipment and technologies that meet the needs of modern battlefields continue to emerge, bringing more intelligent and efficient solutions to modern warfare. February** Dynamic Incentive Program