The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter

The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter PDF

Author: Arthur W. Linden

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781624106248

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"On December 5, 2003, Lt. Gen Richard A. Cody, Army Deputy Chief of Staff and an experienced aviator, flew the Comanche. According to the January 2004 issue of National Defense he "...gave the aircraft a stellar review. ...Cody said that the Comanche had 'exceeded his expectations' and was particularly impressed by the rotor system, engine response and control. Cody also reportedly said the aircraft was 'easy to fly' and should be put into the hands of soldiers as soon as possible." Twelve weeks later the program was cancelled. So, what happened? How did Comanche become expendable? How did a program that was originally scheduled to enter Low Rate Initial Production in 1996 get delayed to 2011? How did an aircraft originally designed to replace the Army's light scout/attack fleet grow to become a virtual replacement for the much larger, heavier AH-64 Apache? This is a story of great accomplishment and much frustration. This is the Comanche history, as told by the some of the key members of the Comanche development team"--

A Case History of the United States Army RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter

A Case History of the United States Army RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter PDF

Author: Jason L. Galindo

Publisher:

Published: 2000-03-01

Total Pages: 137

ISBN-13: 9781423537786

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The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter was initiated as the Light Helicopter Family (LHX) in 1982 when an Army Aviation Mission Area Analysis (AAMAA) identified the need for an armed reconnaissance aircraft. Eighteen years later, the program has yet to reach a Defense Acquisition Board Milestone II review. This thesis described the history of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter acquisition program during these ears. The research focused on the question of what significant events and issues have occurred over the course of the Comanche's development that have allowed it to remain a viable program. The research draws several conclusions from the analysis of the Comanche's history. Mainly, despite the significant duration of the program, a valid need for an armed reconnaissance platform still exists. Secondly, the innovative program management of Comanche has maintained a positive reputation for the program. Finally, the loss of Comanche at this point in time would severely impact the defense helicopter industrial base.

An Analysis of the Impact of Reliability and Maintainability on the Operating and Support (O&S) Costs and Operational Availability (AO) of the RAH- 66 Comanche Helicopter

An Analysis of the Impact of Reliability and Maintainability on the Operating and Support (O&S) Costs and Operational Availability (AO) of the RAH- 66 Comanche Helicopter PDF

Author: Gregg M. Dellert

Publisher:

Published: 2001-12-01

Total Pages: 142

ISBN-13: 9781423524182

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The RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program was initiated in 1983 to develop a reliable and maintainable attack/reconnaissance aircraft to replace the aging feet of AH-1 Cobra and OH-58 A/C helicopters. After several funding reductions and restructurings, the program entered the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) stage of the acquisition process in 2000. With only four years remaining until initial fielding, the program office is still attempting to reach the ambitious reliability and maintainability goals needed to experience reduced operating and support (O&S) costs and high operational availability (Ao). This thesis analyzes the impact of reliability and maintainability on the O&S costs and Ao of the Comanche helicopter. The research focused on the question of where the Comanche program office should allocate resources to minimize O&S costs and maximize Ao. The research indicated that the best allocation of resources is to the improvement of system reliability. The negative impact to both O&S costs and Ao is significant if the predicted reliability goals are not met.

The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter

The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter PDF

Author: Arthur W. Linden

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781624106255

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"On December 5, 2003, Lt. Gen Richard A. Cody, Army Deputy Chief of Staff and an experienced aviator, flew the Comanche. According to the January 2004 issue of National Defense he "...gave the aircraft a stellar review. ...Cody said that the Comanche had 'exceeded his expectations' and was particularly impressed by the rotor system, engine response and control. Cody also reportedly said the aircraft was 'easy to fly' and should be put into the hands of soldiers as soon as possible." Twelve weeks later the program was cancelled. So, what happened? How did Comanche become expendable? How did a program that was originally scheduled to enter Low Rate Initial Production in 1996 get delayed to 2011? How did an aircraft originally designed to replace the Army's light scout/attack fleet grow to become a virtual replacement for the much larger, heavier AH-64 Apache? This is a story of great accomplishment and much frustration. This is the Comanche history, as told by the some of the key members of the Comanche development team"--

Evaluation of an Army Aviator's Ability to Conduct Ingress and Egress of the RAH-66 Comanche Crew Station While Wearing the Air Warrior Ensemble

Evaluation of an Army Aviator's Ability to Conduct Ingress and Egress of the RAH-66 Comanche Crew Station While Wearing the Air Warrior Ensemble PDF

Author: Joshua S. Kennedy

Publisher:

Published: 2004-12-01

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13: 9781423522324

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The RAH-66 Comanche represented the U.S. Army's next generation state-of-the-art armed reconnaissance helicopter. Likewise, the Air Warrior aviation life support ensemble worn by Army aviators represents a significant improvement in personal clothing and equipment. However, at the intersection of the Comanche's crew stations and the bulkiness of the Air Warrior ensemble lies a potential problem: pilots have difficulty entering and leaving the crew station, especially in an emergency. This study evaluated an Army aviator's ability to conduct ingress and egress of the Comanche while wearing the Air Warrior ensemble. Several operationally relevant combinations of aircrew anthropometry, Air Warrior ensembles, and ingress-egress routes were evaluated for the front and rear crew stations. Jack human-figure modeling and motion capture technology were also used in the evaluation. Mean emergency egress times were found to be well within published military specifications. However, results show that larger males will likely have a significantly more difficult time leaving the aircraft than smaller persons, especially when clothed in the bulkiest Air Warrior configuration. Several operational and design recommendations are made. In February 2004, the Department of the Army cancelled the RAH-66 Comanche program. However, the information contained in this report can be used for ingress and egress testing of new or modified aviation systems.

The World's Fastest Helicopters

The World's Fastest Helicopters PDF

Author: Glen Bledsoe

Publisher: Capstone

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 9780736810593

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Discusses the history and development of some of the world's fastest helicopters, describing the specific features and specifications of such aircraft as the SA 360 Dauphin, Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche, AH-64 Apache, and V-22 Osprey.

Structural Design Analysis of the Tail Landing Gear Bay and the Vertical/Horizontal Stabilizers of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter

Structural Design Analysis of the Tail Landing Gear Bay and the Vertical/Horizontal Stabilizers of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter PDF

Author: Brian Shoop

Publisher:

Published: 1997-09-01

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13: 9781423570158

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The RAH-66 Comanche's stealth design requires the use of radar- absorbing material (RAM) on the outer skin of the aircraft. The reduced stiffness properties of RAM produce insufficient tail torsional stiffness, necessitating the use of non-radar-absorbing graphite on the outer skin of the tail section. This thesis investigates structural design modifications to increase the tail section's stiffness to allow the use of RAM on the outer skin and still meet all structural requirements. An original model represents the prototype aircraft at first flight. The goal is to create a model using RAM on the outer skin that watches the structural stiffness of the original model. This thesis builds on earlier work conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Two new design modifications to the tailbone are developed. The best modification increases the torsional stiffness of a baseline model by six percent. Integrating earlier NPS modifications increases torsional stiffness by 12 percent. When RAM is applied to the outer skin of the modified model, torsional stiffness is reduced by only six percent from the baseline as compared to a 24 percent reduction with no modifications. Additional modifications to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers further increase structural stiffness and reduce weight.

Analysis of Potential Structural Design Modifications for the Tail Section of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter

Analysis of Potential Structural Design Modifications for the Tail Section of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter PDF

Author: Vincent M. Tobin

Publisher:

Published: 1997-06-01

Total Pages: 119

ISBN-13: 9781423569534

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The Army RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter made its first flight in January of 1996. Its current structural configuration, however does not meet the Army's requirements for radar signature. Structural configurations of the tailcone that meet radar cross-section requirements tend to lack sufficient structural stiffness due to the presence of Kevlar in place of graphite on the outer mold line. This thesis investigates potential structural design modifications to the Comanche tailcone that would move the design closer to meeting both its structural and radar signature requirements. Geometry modifications with baseline (current configuration) materials increased torsional stiffness by nine percent. Structural geometry modifications using radar signature compliant materials reduced torsional stiffness by 10 percent. The geometry changes analyzed produce structural performance improvements insufficient to allow the use of radar-compliant materials without further geometry changes.

An Analysis of U.S. Army Helicopter Programs

An Analysis of U.S. Army Helicopter Programs PDF

Author: Frances M. Lussier

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 99

ISBN-13: 078812756X

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Examines four alternatives for modernizing the Army's helicopters and compares the costs and benefits of each alternative with the Army's plan for its helicopter fleet. Alternatives include: retain a smaller Comanche program, buy improved Kiowa warriors, and extend the life of the Hueys; continue to buy helicopters currently in production; buy improved Kiowa Warriors and new utility helicopters; and retain and modernize helicopters in the Army's inventory. Appendix includes the Aviation Force Structure. 50 charts and tables.