A Chinese-cloned Sikorsky S-97 Raider compound helicopter has reappeared in a video that recently surfaced online.
Months after first image appeared online, Chinese clone Sikorsky S-97 Raider again in a video that recently surfaced online. Identical to its American-made counterparts, this compound helicopter has two coaxial main rotors and a propeller propeller.
It's unclear when or where the video was filmed. First image, we are at previous reports here at aeronautemerged in August 2025 but was reportedly captured in April 2025 and was initially posted only on Chinese social media Weibo.
Changhe coaxial test bench meets again!
(Weibo@ouyangzhenwo86468) pic.twitter.com/ODTPHAAYOx
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) February 5, 2026
Compared to the first sighting, the helicopter may now feature aerodynamic fairings on the rotor hubs. However, the helicopter also appears to be longer than previous images, making it possible to modify the airframe or even build a new, larger variant. This is somewhat similar to Sikorsky's program which saw a larger variant of the same aircraft, namely SB>1 provocationdeveloped based on the same technology.
The quality of the video and the shooting distance do not allow discerning useful details.
China's coaxial composite helicopter.
Rigid coaxial rotors with propellers give it a smooth profile, ideal for forcing entry into enemy airspace at high speeds.
It offers speed and range advantages over traditional helicopters, making it ideal for Special Forces insertion… pic.twitter.com/g5Iuo95JeX
— Dashuai Zhao is studying in the Northeast🇨🇳 (@zhao_dashuai) February 6, 2026
Chinese compound helicopter
Compared with standard helicopters, this compound helicopter has two coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a propeller rotor at the tail. The structure and overall shape of the aircraft immediately attract attention as they relate to Sikorsky S-97 Raider demonstratorbased on the company's X2 technology.
The helicopter has a slender shape optimized for higher speeds, with two four-blade counter-rotating coaxial main rotors and propellers located at the rear. The front rotor is mounted behind a large rear wing and a lower rear wing, which also serves as a mounting point for the tailwheel.
The surprises from China don’t stop – it seems people now want to set off real news fireworks – because today this coaxial helicopter (possibly a test aircraft carrier) made its debut.
(Image from @team leaderXiaoxiao (from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/UvLOCwuk4y
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 21, 2025
Compared to the S-97 Raider, the horizontal tail is positioned lower than the axis of the propeller rotor, while the vertical tail extends upward on the other side. The main landing gear appears to be retractable via a swivel mechanism behind the cockpit, similar to the main landing gear attacker.
There appears to be a protrusion on the right side of the helicopter, starting where the main rotor masts coincide and ending where the engine exits are. It is unclear whether there is also a nacelle in the area behind the main landing gear and below the main rotor, although the quality of the images that emerged last year did not allow many details to be discerned.
Chinese military aviation observers pointed out that the aircraft may be a small and medium-sized technology demonstrator in a next-generation configuration, somewhat similar to U.S. Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. It is believed that China may be assessing the status of helicopter technology for future applications, as compound helicopters are not the only ones on the horizon.
In fact, a tilt-rotor aircraft has also been unveiled, reportedly manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Industry Company, a subsidiary of Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). On the other hand, the design of this S-97 clone is attributed to Changhe Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG), a subsidiary of AVIC, which reportedly started working on the project in 2023.
As many Chinese military plans point out, there are many similarities between Chinese developments and those in the United States, some examples of which are the J-35 fighter jet, which has variants for the air force and navy, and electromagnetic catapult. Given the interest shown by the United States in new helicopter technology, China may decide to test similar technologies to assess which ones better suit its military doctrine and needs.
In terms of major advantages, tilt-rotor aircraft and compound helicopters will expand the range and speed of China's helicopter fleet. In military applications, this means being able to move troops or supplies farther and faster.
The compound helicopter will also take advantage of the propeller rotor's ability to accelerate and decelerate dramatically. At the same time, this design has higher maneuverability compared to tilt-rotor aircraft.
Combined, these capabilities will allow the aircraft to reach the battlefield quickly, minimize threats, and use some “secret tricks” to evade enemy fire.
S-97 Raider
Almost exactly a year ago, aeronaut was one of the media invited to attend the demonstration at Sikorsky Development Flight Center X2 Technology A closer look at the S-97 Raider. Similar to the Chinese helicopter, this compound helicopter has two coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a propeller rotor at the tail.
The aircraft is the result of 20 years of development, starting with the X2 demonstrator in 2005, and utilizes advanced blade concepts developed by Sikorsky in the 1970s. However, there were still technical challenges that needed to be solved, and it took decades.
Sikorsky created the propulsion blade concept with the goal of significantly increasing helicopter flight speeds. The concept is based on the rotor's ability to generate lift on blades advancing in the direction of flight, thereby mitigating lift on blades retreating in the opposite direction.
The design uses counter-rotating rigid rotors with limited curvature in the vertical direction, delaying the increase in drag caused by blade tip Mach number effects, allowing for higher speeds. Technology evolved over the years, and decades later, advances such as composite rotor blades and fly-by-wire flight control systems, as well as the addition of pusher propellers for greater efficiency, solved some of the technical challenges.
This is X2 Technology The demonstrator demonstrates the efficiency and feasibility of the technology. Sikorsky believed it was the perfect choice for the U.S. Army's armed aerial reconnaissance aircraft, which was supposed to replace the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, future attack reconnaissance aircraft (FARA) program, culminating in the S-97 Raider.
The rigid rotor system is a key element of the S-97's design and is said to have 50% fewer parts than an articulated rotor. Unlike conventional helicopters, the S-97 uses a rigid rotor with a significantly higher effective hinge offset than conventional designs.
And things like helicopters UH-60 Black Hawk Hinge offset (the distance between the flapping hinge and the rotor mast, used as a measure of rotor stiffness) is 12-18%, with the X2 this figure is over 40%, and possibly 45%. This added rigidity enhances control and reduces response times, allowing for precise maneuverability.
Because the counter-rotating rotor counteracts the torque effect, the S-97 does not use a tail rotor, but instead uses a propeller propeller that provides forward thrust. This is a key component of the S-97's high-speed capability, allowing the aircraft to reach 207 knots in level flight, whereas without the propellers the S-97 “only” reaches 150 knots.
this pusher propeller It is engaged via a clutch system and can be fully disengaged. Depending on the situation, more power can be allocated to the propulsion propeller than to the two main rotors combined, while only a small fraction of the power is used by the tail rotor in a conventional helicopter.
The system allows for variable thrust output, including a significant negative pitch range that can act as an airbrake. For example, during an attack surprise landing When a helicopter approaches a landing zone at high speed, setting a negative pitch angle on the propeller can decelerate quickly without having to raise the nose too high, which would result in a loss of situational awareness and visibility during one of the most delicate phases of flight.
You can read our in-depth coverage of the S-97 here.
