Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche

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The Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced five-blade armed reconnaissance and attack helicopter designed for the United States Army.

The RAH-66 program was cancelled in 2004, before mass production began, after nearly US$7 billion was spent on the program.

During the early 1980s, the U.S. Army began formulating a requirement for the replacement of its helicopters then in service, resulting in the Light Helicopter Experimental program.

In 1991, the Boeing-Sikorsky team was chosen to produce prototypes.

The Comanche would incorporate stealth technologies, featuring a number of designs previously untried.

It was to employ advanced sensors in its reconnaissance role, and was intended to designate targets for the AH-64 Apache.

The aircraft was also armed with missiles and rockets to destroy armoured vehicles.

Two RAH-66 prototypes were built and conducted flight testing from 1996 to 2004. Since the cancellation the prototypes have been placed on display.

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 46.85 ft (14.28 m)
Rotor diameter: 39.04 ft (11.90 m)
Height: 11.06 ft (3.37 m)
Disc area: 1,197 ft² (111 m²)
Empty weight: 9,300 lb (4,218 kg)
Loaded weight: 12,349 lb (5,601 kg)
Useful load: 5,062 lb (2,296 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 17,408 lb (7,896 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × LHTEC T800-LHT-801 turboshaft, 1,563 hp (1,165 kW) each
Fuselage length: 43.31 ft (13.20 m)
Rotor systems: 5-bladed main rotor, 8-bladed fan-in-fin anti-torque system (FANTAIL)

Performance

Maximum speed: 175 knots (201 mph, 324 km/h)
Cruise speed: 165 knots (190 mph, 306 km/h)
Range: 262 nmi (302 mi, 485 km) on internal fuel
Combat radius: 150 nmi (173 mi, 278 km) on internal fuel
Ferry range: 1,200 nmi (1,380 mi, 2,220 km)
Endurance: 2.5 hr
Service ceiling: 14,980 ft (4,566 m)
Rate of climb: 895 ft/min (4.55 m/s)

Armament

1× 20 mm XM301 three-barrel Gatling-style cannon mounted in a Turreted Gun System (capacity: 500 rounds)
Internal bays: 6× AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, or 12× AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, or 24× 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 air-to-ground rockets
Optional stub wings: 8× Hellfires, 16× Stingers, or 56× Hydra 70 rockets