Bladed ground testing of Sikorsky Aircraft's super helicopter, the S-97 Raider, has begun at the company's Development Flight Center in Florida.

Sikorsky said that during the ground run phase, its S-97 Raider team is testing the first of two aircraft prototypes as a completed system for the first time to verify the aircraft's propulsion system, drive train, rotor control system and pilot-vehicle interface.

"Testing all of the aircraft's systems together, for the first time, marks significant progress in the development of this next generation helicopter and moves the program closer to first flight," S-97 Raider Program Manager Mark Hammond said in a company announcement.

The S-97 Raider is an armed reconnaissance helicopter with greater maneuverability, payload capacity, speed and range than that of conventional military helicopters. It is based on Sikorsky's rigid X2 rotor coaxial design and can reach speeds up to 253 miles per hour.

Sikorsky is offering the helicopter to the U.S. Army to meet reconnaissance and special operations needs. Funding for development of the aircraft comes from Sikorsky (75 percent) and its program suppliers.

"We look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the Raider's revolutionary performance and unmatched maneuverability for the U.S. Army," said Steve Engebretson, director, Advanced Military Programs. "We're delivering on our promise to design and build a helicopter with performance capabilities not seen before."