Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche

The Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche traces back to 1980s Sikorsky's LHX (Light Helicopter Experimental) program. It was to be the centerpiece of the U.S. Army's aviation modernization plan with the main goal of replacing the entire OH-58s and AH-1 Cobras fleet. A twin-turbine, two-seat (tandem) armed reconnaissance helicopter featuring an all-composite, low-observable airframe designed to evade detection by radar, infrared and acoustic sensors with projected missions of armed reconnaissance, light attack and air combat. The Comanche had Stealth characteristics achieved by retractable undercarriage and weapons stubs, an angular shape and engine exhaust slots under the fuselage. The propeller hub was entirely covered, and the tail rotor was a ducted fan.

1983 : LHX program initiated Jun 1985 : Sikorsky and Boeing teamed for LHX Apr 1991 : Prototype contract go-ahead Jun 1991 : S-76B N3124G tailfan testbed at Paris airshow Jan 1992 : Preliminary design review May 1995 : First prototype rolled out Jan 1996 : First flight Nov 2005 : Expected Initial production Feb 23, 2004 : US Army requests Comanche termination After 20 years, the US Army cancelled the program in 2004 and give Bell a contract to build the ARH-70 Arapaho based on the Bell 407

Development 2 Comanches Fly Together For First Time May 10, 1999 Army sign pre-production MOU May 20, 1999 RAH-66 at the Paris Air Show Jun 12, 1999 $3.1 Billion proposal to US Army Aug 23, 1999 Electrical power equipment for the RAH-66 Mar 28, 2000 US Army wants 1213 Comanche helicopters Apr 04, 2000 Harris Corp to provide RAH-66 avionics Aug 17, 2000 Comanche survivability system selected Oct 26, 2000 New RAH-66 Comanche empennage Nov 27, 2000 RAH-66 with new Empennage Dec 21, 2000

Program Termination US Army wants fewer Comanches Sep 25, 2002 US Army requests termination Feb 23, 2004 US Army terminates Comanche Feb 24, 2004 Bell Submits Bid for ARH Jun 24, 2005 Bell awarded with 368 ARH Jul 29, 2005