Talk:Lockheed XH-51/Comments
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No images and very little documentation. Originally Lockheed production Model 86, it was the Model 186 (1st development of the base model) that ultimately became the XH-51A and XH-51A Compound. The aircraft were procured for a joint Army-Navy program testing high-speed helicopter flight with the rigid-rotor design. The Army also conducted an evaluation to determine the effect of speed on an enemy's ability to acquire and target helicopters. The study's conclusion was that a compound helicopter was much more survivable than a conventional helicopter. This study became a factor in the Army's decision to make the AAFSS requirement for a compound helicopter.
The subsequent development of the helicopter, Model 286 was certified with the FAA and an attempt was made to market it to the civilian market. One model 286 crashed during a test flight according to the NTSB's accident database.
This aircraft was also designated as design CL-595,[1] the "CL" indicating the model was a Lockheed design from the Van Nuys, California Lockheed plant. --Born2flie 05:10, 29 November 2006 (UTC)
