My 5 cents about the current FARA proposals.
1.Sikorsky Raider X seems to be a completely different design from the current Raider prototype. It only seems the same from a distance. As it should be 20 % bigger , it will need a different fuselage. The current renderings show a completely different shape. I would say it is a further development of the existing Raider. The front view still needs further refinement and it is hard to tell if there is a color scheme going on the side plane or that is a curvature where two planes are broken. I hope it is not just a color pattern. I think it is about 35% better looking than the current Raider which seems disproportionate. They have finally nailed the proportions and visual mass from the side plane ,and it is about 80 % better looking than the initial mockup which was childish ,I would dare to say. I would rate
Raider X 9.3 points.
2. Bell Invictus. It is not bad but somewhat a sloppy design. There are no decent lines in air intake, or a thoughtful idea behind exhaust. From side plane it fails, as the middle section doesn`t have a slope of visual mass, it looks as if it is pregnant in the middle. It is nowhere near Comanche level of design , which is a yardstick in helicopter design. I would rate
Invictus 7.5 points.
3. AVX. A decent design. They have nailed the proportions and visual mass from all aspects, including the toughest one- side plane. Love the ducted fans, albeit they could have some added nuances to show some integration with the fuselage. The only issue I have is the front canopy/windshield. It is unrefined and unfinished. It should have some more decent curvature and lines. Look at that divine curvature implemented in F-35 canopy. Similar things could be done to AVX. I would rate
AVX 8.5 points.
4. Karem proposal. Although it has got some decent design elements, such as the exhaust nozzle, I am not happy with its looks. It looks like a flying fish from 1940ies. Visual mass and its slope is a mess. The canopy looks already aging, and there are no interesting innovative details . It looks like a fish that doesn`t go to the gym
needs more work on it. I would rate
Karem AR-40 6.2 points.
5. I can not rate Boeing`s proposal as it hasn`t been released yet. If it is just a refurbished Apache with a prop I will be completely disappointed. No high marks would ever be given. But let`s see.