The RAH-66, one of the chrome-plated relics of the Cold War, has finally been canceled. In 1981, the U. S. Army had hoped to buy as many as 5, 000 of the “LHX” helicopters, but its role was scaled back to armed reconnaissance in 1987. Although it was armed, its main purpose was to find and hand off targets to other assets like attack helicopters and smart artillery. RAH-66 Comanche (Boeing Corporation) Cost and its narrowly defined mission continually plagued the program. It was restructured six times, . nally resulting in a planned purchase of 650 machines at a price of $60 million each. There was speculation as long ago as 1992 that the aircraft would never get beyond prototype stage. It was formally cancelled on 23 February, 2004. At that time, the DoD had spent a total of $8 billion on the Comanche’s development, but would have needed another $39 billion to actually buy the aircraft. Its role as a battlefield reconnaissance platform can now be performed by simpler and much less costly UAVs without risking a crew. RAH-66 Comanche Scout Gun Atk: 3 Man Rtg: 2. 5/2. 0 Size/Signature: Small/Stealthy In Service: 2009 Counterm: 3rd Gen J&D Bombsight: Advanced Sensors: 3rd Gen FLIR, LLLTV, laser designator, LRMTS, Helmet-Mounted Sight, 3rd Gen ESM/ELS Performance: Speed in Knots (Nm/Phase) Throttle Setting Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat V/Low: 160 (0. 6) 172 (0. 7) -- Med: 160 (0. 6) 172 (0. 7) -- Ceiling: 4267 m Engine Type: TS Endurance Data Inflight Refuel: N Cruise Range: 460 nm Internal Fuel: 910 kg Drop Tank Desc. Fuel Wt. Range Add . 225 USG drop tank 695 kg 350 nm Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1390 kg Off Guns: XM301 3-barreled 20mm rotary w/500 rounds Internal stowage for 6 Hell fire or 12 Stinger or 4 LAU-68. Typical loadout 5 Hell fire and 2 Stinger for armed recon. Externally on stub wings ((2014 Heavy Attack Block III version) : 8 Hellfire or 16 Stinger or 4 LAU-68 or 2 drop tanks. Remarks: Developed speci . cally for armed reconnaissance. Can spot for artillery or aircraft. Can detect CW agents. If external ordnance is carried, signature is increased to Small. Cannon is carried stowed to reduce signature. Using cannon increases signature to VSmall. Self-deployment range is 1260 nm. Program started in 1981, frequent delays. One in three fitted with Comanche radar (version of APG-78 Longbow), cruise speed 150 kts, max 166, range 330 nm. Armored. Prototype rollout 25 May 96, , . rst . ight 4 Jan 96. 2004: : Program canceled. IOC would have been 2009 for Block I version. BT Back to The Naval Sitrep # 26 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List & copy Copyright 2004 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history and related articles are available at http://www.magweb.com