The RAH-66 Comanche has been termed probably the most ambitious and failed program in U.S. Army aviation history. Being an attack helicopter with stealth capabilities, designed to replace several previous aging models, it was developed by Boeing and Sikorsky under a contract initiated in the early 1980s. Having invested over $7 billion and having only two prototypes made, this program was axed in 2004 due to high costs and shifted military priorities toward unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Comanche was designed to become the world’s first purpose-built stealth attack helicopter with fully-powered internal bays that could house anti-armor and anti-air missiles. According to Boeing, the program’s lead contractor, “First deliveries were scheduled for 2006, with the Comanche program reaching full production by about 2010. Plans were to manufacture 1,213 RAH-66s for U.S. Army service.”
This meant it had some unmatched stealth capabilities compared to helicopters of its time. It had a thick casing over the main rotor assembly, while the tail rotor was shrouded by a fenestron-assembly case to quiet the noise. Added to this were retractable landing gear and folding weapons stubs that go into internal weapons bays. All of these features made the Comanche an outstanding reconnaissance-strike platform.
The program has met with many challenges. The RAND Corporation was contracted to prepare an effectiveness study comparing conventional rotorcraft and tilt-rotor technology for the Light Helicopter Experimental program. While tilt-rotor technology had the better rating in six of ten attributes, the Secretary of the Army decided to go forward with a conventional helicopter. This decision was validated by the RAND study, which recommended a conventional helicopter for this mission but advised the Army to continue exploring tilt-rotor technology for other missions—a recommendation that was largely ignored.
Its cancellation in 2004 was part of a larger reorganization of Army Aviation. “It’s a big decision, but we know it’s the right decision,” said General Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff at the time. It represented a new recognition within the Pentagon that the military simply had too many big-ticket weapons projects. The turning of attention to UAVs for surveillance and attack missions was also one of the main reasons behind this decision.
Although the RAH-66 Comanche program is canceled, many advanced aircraft systems and components are proven. Today, the two prototype airframes are displayed at the United States Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Alabama, as a monument to what could have been a revolution in military aviation.
The Comanche story is one of how technological zeal can sometimes outstrip practical and financial realities. Of course, some aviation fans still lament the loss of this program. Nevertheless, the general view of most experts is that it was a rather prudent decision—just considering the heavily growing role of drones in modern warfare today. Experiences and lessons learned from RAH-66 Comanche have contributed much toward military aviation development regarding adjustment to more specific future programs for meeting needs on the changing battlefield.