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Air-Attack.com > Military Systems > RAH-66 Comanche

The Boeing Sikorsky Comanche helicopter is designed for armed reconnaissance, attack and air combat missions.
The Comanche is without doubt the most advanced (and most expensive) combat helicopter.
Back in 1981, a plan was drawn up for a single basic utility helicopter called LHX (Light Helicopter Experimental).
The intention was to replace the aging UH-1, OH-58 and AH-1 fleets with a production run of 5,000 LHXs.
Six years later in 1987 these mission roles were substantially reduced to scout and attack only. The projected LHX requirement then fell to around 2,000.
The boeing/Sikorsky teaming's proposal was selected for development as the RAH-66 Comanhe in April 1991.
The RAH-66 consumes only 4.4 percent of the U.S. Army's research, development, and acquisition (RDA) budget during the development phase (1995-2003).

The Comanche has an advanced bearingless composite rotor with swept blade tips that reduces its acoustic signature, particularly at the reduced RPM levels of the so-called "quiet" flight mode. The low-noise rotor system, reduced infrared exhaust and small radar cross-section make the Comanche the stealthiest helicopter in the world. While not invisible to radar it is much harder to detect at longer ranges.
The all-composite fuselage sides are flat and canted and rounded surfaces are avoided by use of faceted turret and engine covers. The Comanche's head-on RCS is 360 times smaller than the AH-64 Apache, 250 times less than the smaller OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, and 32 times smaller than the OH-58D's mast-mounted sight.

The Comanche has two identical cockpits for the pilot and the copilot, which are sealed and have a positive pressure air system for protection against chemical and biological warfare.

The Comanche carries its weapons internally and has a weapons bay on each side of the fuselage. The missiles are mounted on the weapon bay doors, which open sideways.

The General Dynamics/GIAT Industries Turreted Gun System (TGS) is the world's lightest 20mm armament system with the effectiveness needed to counter air-to-air threats.
The General Dynamics/GIAT Industries team combines the strengths of two of the world's leading gun/turret manufacturers.
The TGS's lightweight, servo-controlled turret is integrated with the Comanche airframe. The turret's forward location provides wide air-to-ground suppressive fire coverage for enhanced Comanche survivability.
It assures high reliability under all operating conditions and during high rates of fire. Two crew members can, in less than eight minutes, reload 500 rounds using built-in power load capability.

Sensors are mounted on the nose and top of the rotor mast in a similar configuration to the AH-64D Longbow Apache.
The nose of the helicopter houses an infrared piloting sensor, incorporating a low-visibility image intensifier. The long-range, second-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system and television targeting sensor is also located in the nose.
This second generation FLIR permits more reliable target recognition at 40% greater range. With 100% greater resolution and 35% greater field of view, it is much safer for night flying which should give some comfort to the crew.

The RAH-66 comes with a 53° wide field of vision holographic helmet mounted display system and is biocular. Called HIDSS, the Helmet Integrated Display and Sight System delivers FLIR sensor, flight and targeting symbology to both eyes. As in the Apache, weapon targeting can be slaved to the pilots? helmet movements. Wherever the pilots look, the helicopter sensors will follow. In addition to this, the chin mounted 20mm GIAT Vulcan-II cannon can also be slaved to follow the pilots? head movements. When not in use, the cannon is normally stowed in a LO cowling positioned under the chin.

Armament: