Each of the two crew-members had two LCD multi-functional displays in addition to the Helmet-Integrated Display and Sight System (HIDSS). The Comanche was equipped with sophisticated navigation and detection systems intended to allow operations at night and in bad weather. The Comanche’s noise signature was noticeably quieter than comparative helicopters this was partly achieved through the all-composite 5-blade main rotor and tail rotor assembly. Its outer surfaces were faceted and had radar-absorbent material (RAM) coatings and infrared-suppressant paint applied with these measures, the Comanche’s RCS was 360 times smaller than the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. The RAH-66 was intended to be a stealth helicopter it incorporated multiple techniques to reduce its radar cross-section (RCS) and other areas of visibility. Since the cancellation the prototypes have been placed on display. Two RAH-66 prototypes were built and conducted flight testing from 1996 to 2004. The aircraft was also armed with missiles and rockets to destroy armored vehicles. It was to employ advanced sensors in its reconnaissance role, and was intended to designate targets for the AH-64 Apache. The Comanche would incorporate stealth technologies, featuring a number of designs previously untried. In 1991, the Boeing-Sikorsky team was chosen to produce prototypes. Army began formulating a requirement for the replacement of its helicopters then in service, resulting in the Light Helicopter Experimental program. The RAH-66 program was canceled in 2004, before mass production began, after nearly US$ 7 billion was spent on the program.ĭuring the early 1980s, the U.S. Window.dataLayer = window.The Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced five-blade armed reconnaissance and attack helicopter designed for the United States Army. Place of processing: Ireland – Privacy Policy – Opt Out. Personal Data collected: Tracker Usage Data. Only in exceptional cases, the IP address will be sent to Google's servers and shortened within the United States. The anonymization works by shortening the IP address of the Users within the borders of the member states of the European Union or other countries that are members of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. This Google Analytics integration anonymizes your IP address. Google may use your Personal Data to contextualize and personalize ads in its advertising network. Google uses the Personal Data collected to track and examine the use of this Application, compile reports on its activities and share them with other services developed by Google. Google Analytics (GA4) is a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”). ‘However, while it was being perfected, another product came along and did the job of the Comanche better, and cheaper. ‘While it had a problematic development cycle, it probably would have worked just fine. ‘The Comanche was envisioned as being a stealth helicopter for battlefield scouting purposes, and to take shots at targets of opportunity without them even knowing it was there,’ explains Damien Leimbach, former Avionics Technician at US Air Force (2001–2007), on Quora. So, why did the US Army abandon the RAH-66 even though it had nearly finished the research and development phase and produced two prototypes? During that time, the program was slated to build and deliver 13 new Comanches for additional flight tests and US Army operational test, evaluation and training. The engineering and manufacturing development phase began in mid-2000. The Army canceled the program in February 2004 as a part of a reorganization of Army Aviation.īy then, the Comanche program validated a number of aircraft systems and components and built and flew two flight-test prototype aircraft in its demonstration, validation and prototype phase from contract award in 1991 through 2000. Plans were to manufacture 1,213 RAH-66s for US Army service. forces with accurate, timely tactical intelligence.įirst deliveries were scheduled for 2006, with the Comanche program reaching full production by about 2010. The Comanche was a twin-turbine, two-seat (tandem) armed reconnaissance helicopter with projected missions of armed reconnaissance, light attack and air combat.īoeing and the Sikorsky teamed to develop and build the RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter in 1991.ĭesigned to replace the US Army’s then current Vietnam War-vintage scout and light attack helicopter fleet, the Comanche featured an all-composite fuselage, fully integrated digital flight controls, and advanced navigation and weapons systems. ‘While the RAH-66 was being perfected, the armed drone came along and did the job of the Comanche better, and cheaper,’ Damien Leimbach, former Avionics Technician at US Air Force.
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