RAH-66 Comanche

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RAH-66 Comanche

Test flight of the first RAH-66 prototype
Type Reconnaissance/Attack helicopter
Manufacturer Boeing Helicopters/Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Maiden flight 4 January 1996
Status Canceled
Primary user United States Army
Number built 2

The Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced U.S. Army military helicopter intended for the armed reconnaissance role, incorporating stealth techniques. Also, it was to designate targets for the AH-64 Apache.[1] The RAH-66 program was canceled in 2004 before it was fielded.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

In 1982 the U.S. Army started the Light Helicopter Experimental (LHX) program to replace UH-1, AH-1, OH-6, and OH-58 helicopters. This requirement was changed to a reconnaissance helicopter by 1988.[2]

The U.S. Army currently has an armed scout helicopter in its fleet — the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior — but that aircraft is an upgraded version of a Vietnam-era observation helicopter.

In contrast, the Comanche was specifically tailored to the role of armed scout. It is smaller and lighter than the AH-64 Apache gunship — 43 feet (13.1 m) long and 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg) vs. 58 ft (17.7 m) and 11,400 pounds (5,200 kg) – and its composite material airframe incorporated stealth features to avoid detection, such as retractable weapon stations and main gun, and stealth faceting and radar absorbent materials. The Comanche's noise signature is noticeably smaller than others in its class.

The Comanche's very sophisticated detection and navigation systems were intended to allow it to operate at night and in bad weather. Its airframe was designed to fit more easily than the Apache into transport aircraft or onto transport ships, enabling it to be deployed to hot spots quickly. If transport assets were not available, the Comanche's ferry range of 1,260 nautical miles (2,330 km, 1,553 statute miles) would even allow it to fly to battlefields overseas on its own.

The U.S. Army planned to purchase almost 1,300 Comanches to fill the scout and light attack roles, with the first craft to be brought into service in 2004. Flight qualification tests and evaluations were conducted for the two DEM/VAL (Demonstration and Validation Phase) prototypes. The first of those prototypes was rolled out of the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's helicopter production facility in May 1995 and had its first flight on January 4, 1996.[3] Flight testing was conducted through 2003 on the two prototypes. Prototype 2 (tail number 95-0001, was still in flight status at the time of program cancellation in February 2004)[4]

Upon successful completion of the DEM/VAL phase, the program entered the Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase. During EMD eight additional aircraft were under construction, with a first flight planned for June 2006.

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[edit] Cancellation

On February 23, 2004, the U.S. Army announced their decision to cancel the Comanche helicopter program in view of the need to provide funds to renovate the existing helicopter fleet of aging attack, utility, and reconnaissance aircraft.[5] Also a factor was the growing popularity in the military of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance purposes – in addition to tests, UAVs had proven their worth in Afghanistan and Iraq. About US$8 billion had already been invested in the Comanche program at the time of its termination and an additional US$450-680 million was required in contract termination fees to main program partners Sikorsky and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

Technology developed for the Comanche will be integrated into the Apache and other U.S. military helicopter developments. Some of its roles will be taken over by the Bell ARH-70, an off-the shelf armed reconnaissance helicopter.

Currently the prototype airframe 95-0001 "The DUKE" is located at the United States Army Aviation Museum in Fort Rucker, Alabama and 94-0327 will be arriving at the museum in 2008.

[edit] Specifications (RAH-66A)

Data from Comanche RAH-66,[6] International Directory of Military Aircraft,[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 46.85 ft (14.28 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 39.04 ft (11.90 m)
  • Height: 11.06 ft (3.37 m)
  • Disc area: 1,197 sq ft (111 sq m)
  • Empty weight: 8,690 lb (3,942 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 10,597 lb (4,806 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 17,175 lb (7,790 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× LHTEC T800 turboshafts, 1,432 hp (1,068 kW) each
  • Fuselage length: 43.31 ft (13.20 m)
  • Rotor systems: 5 blades on main rotor

Performance

Armament

  • 1× 20 mm XM301 three-barrel cannon mounted in a Turreted Gun System (500 round capacity)
  • Internal bays: 6 Hellfires or 6 Stingers (ATAS) or 24 Hydra 70 2.75 in (70 mm) air-to-ground rockets
  • Optional stub wings: 8 Hellfire, 16 Stinger or 56 x Hydra 70 2.75 in (70 mm) air-to-ground rockets


[edit] References

  1. ^ Crawford, Steve. Twenty-First Century Military Helicopters, p. 88. MBI Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7603-1504-3.
  2. ^ a b Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Military Aircraft, page 50. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
  3. ^ "Comanche Helicopter Makes First Flight", Boeing, January 4, 1996.
  4. ^ RAH-66 Comanche history, GlobalSecurity.org.
  5. ^ Burlas, Joe. "Comanche project grounded", Army News, February 23, 2004.
  6. ^ Comanche RAH-66 - 21th Century Multi-Mission Helicopter, Boeing Sikorsky, 1996.

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

[edit] External links

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