Comanche Prototype No. 2 began flight testing in which it performed basic maneuvers and forward flight up to 80 kts.

The flight was the culmination of an exhaustive series of system installations, inspections, and tests to move the aircraft safely and efficiently to flight status. After performing several run-ups and ground runs, Prototype No. 2 took to the air and accumulated more than 30 minutes of flight time. Once airborne, the aircraft performed basic maneuvers, forward flight up to 80 kts, and climbed to about 500 ft to evaluate digital flight controls and basic handling qualities compared to Prototype No. 1.

Comanche Team test pilot Reggie Murrell and Army chief test pilot CW4 John Armbrust conducted the flight and reported that the aircraft performed within expectations and noted no significant problems during the initial run. "This prototype handles just as smoothly as Prototype No. 1 did on its early flights," said Murrell.

The second prototype will serve primarily as the test platform for the Comanche Mission Equipment Package (MEP) Ñ the integrated targeting, communication, and navigation system that forms the "brain" of the combat and reconnaissance helicopter. Under the current funding plan, flight tests for MEP evaluation will begin in 2001. The aircraft is scheduled to be on display at the Paris Air Show this month.

Comanche Industry Team The Boeing Company (team leader) Philadelphia, PA United Technologies' Sikorsky Aircraft (team leader) Stratford, CT Boeing Electronics Systems Seattle, WA General Dynamics Burlington, VT Hamilton Standard Division Windsor Locks, CT Harris Corp. Melbourne, FL Hughes Link Division Binghamton, NY Kaiser Electronics San Jose, CA Lear Astronics Santa Monica, CA LHTEC Indianapolis and Phoenix Litton Woodland Hills, CA Lockheed Martin Orlando, FL Moog East Aurora, NY Northrop Grumman Baltimore, MD Sundstrand Rockford, IL TRW Military Electronics & Avionics Division San Diego, CA Williams International Walled Lake, MI

The RAH-66 Comanche is a twin-turbine, two-seat (tandem) helicopter with projected missions of armed reconnaissance, light attack, and air combat. Significant features of the aircraft include: five-bladed bearingless main rotor; a FANTAIL anti-torque system; low-workload crew station; self-healing digital mission electronics; longbow fire-control radar; passive long-range, high-resolution sensors; triple redundant fly-by-wire flight control system; wide field-of-view (35° x 52°) helmet-mounted display; low observables (radar, infrared, acoustic); triple redundant electrical/hydraulic systems onboard diagnostic system; fully retractable missile armament system; and a stowable three-barrel 20-mm Gattling gun. The Comanche, which is to replace the AH-1 and OH-58 attack and observation aircraft, is scheduled to begin initial service in 2006.

Frank Bokulich