An aircraft with revolutionary technologies
The late 1970s saw conflicts that led to the development of the Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche.
The Comanche was created because the US Army needed a plane that could be quickly deployed, had cutting-edge technologies, allowed for reconnaissance, and had light anti-tank capability.
The aircraft’s stealth capabilities were made possible by its radar-defeating geometric design. The aircraft’s chances of being detected were further reduced by the fact that the weapons bays were located within and would only be visible when in use.
In addition to its radar stealth capabilities, the Comanche also had a low infrared signature that allowed the helicopter to keep a low profile when faced with infrared sensors.
The Comanche program was expected to reach full production by around 2010, with the first deliveries planned for 2006. 1,213 RAH-66s were to be produced for the US Army. As part of Army Aviation’s reorganization, the Army canceled the program in February 2004.
RAH-66 Comanche cancellation
During the Comanche program’s demonstration, validation, and prototype phase, which ran from contract award in 1991 to 2000, the program built and flew two flight-test prototype aircraft and validated several aircraft systems and components. In the middle of the 2000s, the engineering and manufacturing development phase got underway. 13 more Comanches were to be built and delivered during that period for further flight tests as well as operational tests, evaluation, and training for the US Army.
Therefore, why did the US Army give up on the RAH-66 despite having created two prototypes and almost completed the research and development phase?
‘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.
‘While it had a problematic development cycle, it probably would have worked just fine.
‘However, while it was being perfected, another product came along and did the job of the Comanche better, and cheaper.
The Armed Drone
‘The Armed Drone.
‘It goes higher, sees better, loiters FAR longer over the battlefield, can survey hundreds of times more area in one mission, is harder to spot in the air, and doesn’t risk pilots.
‘The Comanche wasn’t as good of an attack helicopter as either the Apache or Super Cobra, and wasn’t as good for low-key surveillance as the predator and other drones like it.’
Leimbach concludes;
‘Bottom line, we just didn’t need it.’
The two prototypes are now in the collection of the US Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Ala.
Photo by U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army