The Stealthy RAH-66 Comanche: A Revolutionary Helicopter That Never Was
Rahim Khoja
Systems Engineer & Python Developer | Specializing in Linux, Hypervisors, and High-Performance Computing
Category: Aviation/Military
The RAH-66 Comanche, developed by Boeing Sikorsky, was a revolutionary stealth helicopter designed to serve as a multi-role aircraft for the US Army. Conceived in the 1980s, the Comanche was intended to reduce costs and redundancy in the Army's helicopter inventory. However, after nearly two decades of development, the program was terminated in 2004 due to various issues, including technological challenges, cost overruns, and shifting defense priorities.
The Comanche's story began in 1982, when the Army launched the Light Helicopter Experimental (LHX) program, aiming to replace hundreds of Vietnam-era helicopters with newer, more efficient models. The program's requirements were ambitious, calling for a helicopter that could perform light attack and reconnaissance missions while being stealthy, agile, and lethal. In 1988, the Army announced that Bell, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing Sikorsky had been selected to proceed to the next level of development.
Boeing Sikorsky's design, dubbed the Comanche, was unveiled in 1995. The helicopter featured a unique combination of curved and angular surfaces, made from matte grey composite materials that absorbed and reflected radar. The Comanche was designed to be quiet, with main rotor blades canted downward at the tips, making it 50% less likely to be detected by ground-based acoustic sensors. Its advanced radar jamming system, flares and chaff dispensers, and sealed and pressurized crew compartment made it a formidable opponent.
The Comanche was powered by two 1,500 horsepower LHTEC T800 and LHT801 turbo shaft engines, co-developed by Honeywell and Rolls-Royce. Its top speed was approximately 190 miles per hour, with a cruise speed of 155-170 miles per hour and a combat range of roughly 150 miles. The Comanche featured triple-redundant fly-by-wire systems and automated avionics, allowing it to linger over battlefields for nearly three hours.
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Despite its impressive design and capabilities, the Comanche program faced numerous challenges. The helicopter's weight increased significantly due to upgrades and additions, making it difficult to meet its intended performance goals. The program was also plagued by software bugs, complex and unreliable weapons systems, and poor management and oversight.
As the program continued to struggle, the US Army lost interest in the concept, and the program was eventually terminated in 2004. The Defense Department was forced to pay nearly $700 million in contract cancellation fees to Boeing Sikorsky. However, many of the Comanche's design elements and technologies have been incorporated into newer rotorcraft, such as the Blackhawk and the S-97 Raider.
The RAH-66 Comanche may never have entered production, but its legacy lives on in the world of military aviation. Its stealth and noise-canceling technologies have paved the way for future rotorcraft designs, and its innovative design elements continue to inspire and influence the development of new aircraft.