Thurs. May 20/10 Pace51
Real world facts about the RAH-66 Comanche
Max. Speed: 198 MpH
Powered by: Dual LHTEC T800-801 Engines
Armament: 20mm cannon, Hellfire missiles, rockets, and Stinger missiles.
Manufactured by: Boeing/Sikorsky
Maiden flight: January the 4th, 1996.
The RAH-66 is a remarkable helicopter. Built exclusively for attacking and reconnaissance, it would have performed admirably at both of these roles. Also, it was a Stealth Helicopter. Unfortunately, due to high costs and some delays, the Comanche was cancelled in 2004 but its prototype was truly remarkable. However, the army is going to use an ARH-70 version for armed reconnaissance.
The original prototype was first unveiled in 25 may 1995. With its powerful engines, it can maintain a speed allowing it to keep up with the Apache Longbow helicopter. Its airframe is completely constructed out of composite material. Also, it doesn’t stand out during the night or in bad visibility conditions, making it hard to spot. It was designed so that radar, acoustic and infrared sensors would not be able to locate it. Since it was designed to carry out air combat, light attack and armed recon missions, these were incredibly useful features indeed. It was intended to replace the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior and the AH-64 Apache.
The original deliveries were supposed to arrive in 2006 and the full production was supposed to be reached by 2010. However, the program endured year after year of turbulence, and struggled to maintain its own funding. In 2004, sadly, the army cancelled further research and development of the RAH-66 helicopters.However, the US military said that they would now use the funds that were going to be used to wards the Comanche to modernize other helicopters of their aging fleet. So instead of buying the new Comanche, the military will update their current helicopters, and buy more. The helicopters that are going to be modernized as include the following:
AH-64 Apache- Will be updated
UH-60 Blackhawk- 796 additional ones have been bought and all have been updated
CH-47 Chinook- Will be updated
The ARH-70 will replace the bell OH-48 kiowa warriors, so the program isn’t totally gone, We will still see some stealth helicopters out there! The program for the AH-66 was cancelled after 22 years and 6.9 billion dollars. It had reserved 14.6 billion dollars to buy 121 Comanche helicopters, but now this money will be used to update the modern helicopters and buy more.
It was supposed to be the Army’s next generation helicopter, and was also the first helicopter to be developed for armed reconnaissance. The crew members would sit in tandem, one behind the other with the gunner in front and pilot in back. The cockpit was fully integrated with the latest in technology and surveillance gear. The main rotor was 5 bladed and bearing less. Also, the tail rotor sat surrounded by a metal shroud for protection. There was also a low-radar cross-section fuselage featuring a retractable weapons pylon and a fly by wire system. The television sensors were both forward-looking infrared and image intensified so that the helicopter could acquire targets easier with the added bonus of being able to handle bad conditions, rough weather, or night missions.
Celebrity Appearances: It was featured in Command and Conquer generals along with other advanced aircraft.
Last edited by pace51 (2010-05-21 05:16:54)