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The U.S. Army's aviation modernization plan has as its centerpiece the Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. The aviation plan reflects the Army's new post Cold War strategy to react to regional conflicts by using fewer personnel and long-range, self-deployable aircraft based in the continental United States. The Comanche is a twin?turbine, two?seat (tandem) armed reconnaissance helicopter with projected missions of armed reconnaissance, light attack and air combat. Initial operating capability is set for the year 2006. It will replace obsolete AH?1 and OH?58 attack and observation helicopters. The Comanche has capabilities demanded of a smaller force structure, such as: improved mobility, increased survivability and dramatically reduced operation and support costs. Initial operating capability is set for the year 2006. |
 AAH-66 Commanche |
| Emphasis of the demonstration/validation program is to prove all critical components. These include mission equipment avionics and a growth version of the Comanches's T800 engine. Two prototype aircraft are being built The Defense Department's Defense Acquisition Board has approved an early operational capability program that will provide for six additional aircraft, manufactured in 2001, for U.S. Army operational testing. | |
| Outstanding Features The Comanche's most significant systems and features include:
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 RAH-66 Helicopter |
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The state of the art design of the Comanche
allows for a speed of 175 knots, then cruise at a steady 165. The propulsion
and navigation design also allows the helicopter to execute snap turns in 4.5
seconds and fly sideways or backward at 70 mph. With a power output of 1,432
horsepower from each of it's turboshaft engines, the Comanche has a climb rate
of 1,418 feet per minute. The Comanche can carry up to 14 "Fire and Forget" Hellfire antitank missiles, which, once fired, are programmed to control their own flight to their targets. It can also carry up to 56 rockets (70mm), or 28 Stinger air-to-air missiles, for both attack and defence against other aircraft.In addition the Comanche is also armed with a three-barreled, 20 mm turreted nose mini-gun that has a rate of fire of 1500 rounds per minute. |
| Inside Comanche Designed using computer databases, Comanche redefines the helicopter in terms of power, maneuverability, technological sophistication, and materials engineering. Twin LHTEC-800-LHT-801 turboshaft engines drive an advanced five-blade, bearingless main rotor which further enhances high performance and agility in air-to-air combat. Its FANTAIL anti-torque tail rotor system lets Comanche execute amazing maneuvers near impossible for other helicopters. Comanche also features reconfigurable, fault-tolerant digital missions electronics and on-board diagnostics, Longbow fire-control radar, triple-redundant fly-by-wire flight control and simple, remove-and-replace maintenance. A wide-field-of-view, helmet-mounted display provides flight information, night vision sensors and a sight system for use with weapons.
In addition, the RAH-66's Hands On Grips controls literally let pilots fly and perform mission tasks with one hand - a first-ever achievement in a helicopter. The Comanche also breaks new ground in the use of high technology composites to satisfy both Low Observable Technology requirements and aggressive weight and cost specifications. |
The Helmet Integrated Display and Sight System (HIDSS) is a biocular helmet-mounted
display for flight information and night vision sensors and a sight system for use with weapons  Each crewmember has a helmet providing acoustic and impact protection and a magnetic helmet
tracker on a removable frame. The HIDSS can combine flight symbology with sensor images to allow aggressive flight maneuvering at night |
| Conclusion The Comanche the first true stealth helicopter is without doubt going to be one of the most powerful weapon systems in the US Army's arsenal. Not only does it bring unprecedented fire power to the world of helicopters but more important are its digital communication systems, which allow it to transmit in real-time to other weapon systems co-ordinating fire control and reconnaisance information.This is probably the ultimate in helicopters and the next generation according to one source which could outmanouevre a Comanche will possibly be some kind of anti-gravity vehicle. |
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| Latest Report There will no further updates to this page as unfortunately the Army cancelled the "Comanche Project" in February 2004. The program was deemed too expensive at $39 Billion and that the money would be more effective if used to improve other areas of the service's aviation program. |