America's lost stealth helicopter - RAH 66 Comanche

It was going to be the next generation helicopter of the 21st century bringing stealth and the digital battlefield into rotary aircraft but it ended in cost overruns, delays and cancellation after just two prototypes, this is the story of Americas lost stealth helicopter, the Boeing Sikorski RAH-66 Comanche.

Written, Researched and Presented by Paul Shillito
Images and Footage : Boeing Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, US Army, US DoD, USAF,
Bell Helicopters

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[thedungeondelver]

This is a fascinating episode; my wife worked for the Army as a civilian contractor at the time of the Comanche's cancellation. It was so sudden, her desk was inundated by servicemen and women who were slated to enter the training program and start flying that bird literally a month from that day, they had sold their homes, readied their families to move, etc. and suddenly had no idea what the next day would hold! It was madness.

Seven years prior, and for similar reasons (paying for an Endless War) the M8 Buford light tank was cancelled, and the fallout was the same.

[jaybee]

The “tail-ducted fan” is also called a fenestron, if I am spelling it right. The Comanche was an amazing technology demonstrator; a real work of art.

[manofsan]

Not only did they waste a perfectly good helicopter, they also wasted a perfectly good helicopter name

[feloniouscraphammer]

I worked for Boeing on the Apache Longbow crew trainer flight simulators across the street from the Comanche Flight Training facility as it was being built. I was shown the plans, where the high bays and maintenance offices were to be and I was selected to transfer from the Longbow project to the Comanche project. I was very excited and looking forward to the whole thing. As I watched the new Comanche facility nearing completion, I had no idea the Army already made up it's mind to perpetrate the costliest Army project cancellation in history. They finished the building, erected a sign designating it the RAH Comanche Training Facility and immediately announced the cancellation of the entire project. I blame "scope creep" as the main reason.

[joeclaridy]

Why can't we stick to a plan and see it through? Another masterpiece relegated to a museum exhibit.

[judih.]

Typical program with moving goals. Keep adding features not originally envisioned until the project is untenable. I've seen this so many times. Great video Paul.

[korakys]

The Army changing the goalposts by deciding near the end that what they _really_ wanted was a medium attack helicopter instead of a light scout helicopter sounds like it made the program uncompletable.

[westerlywind]

I heard the military was dissatisfied with their performance versus the Hulk

[leejones]

I remember playing a game of Comanche back in the late 90s. I really wish the Comanche project wasn't cancelled. Such a great helicopter that wasn't given a fair chance.

[kevbev]

I worked in a carbon fiber facility,
I worked on the Comanche landing gear doors, missile doors, front radar housing, and the tailrotar section, both the tooling and prototype parts,
This was the AIRWOLF of America 🇺🇸
It's sad that it was lost to drones,
The real truth hurts

[FiveTwoSevenTHR]

The best helicopter that never was followed by the Cheyenne.

[warmstrong]

I'm of the opinion that when the company/agency you're contracted with keeps adding feature requests beyond what was agreed upon, they want to cancel your contract but not be the ones to initiate it.

[H.Simmerson]

played the Comanche 3 game- can still remember the music and utterly intense missions. One of the best.

[FortuitusVideo]

The Ole' American Two Step. This cost too much, make it do more. Now it really costs too much, let's start over and make a cheaper, specialized product.

[JimHalpertFromTheOffice]

I remember having this helicopter available for Command & Conquer Generals and its expansion, Zero Hour. My favorite was the Stealth version that the US Air Force General Malcolm 'Ace' Granger used.

[codysing]

A stealth helicopter that can fire it's weapons facing any direction while moving... And it's stealth.
Sounds Comanche to me, our stealth and horsemanship was legendary.

Our symbol was a snake moving backwards, you only knew we were there after we left.

[alexdenton]

I'll never forget these formidable beasts in Mercenaries POD.
SKs were savage

[tmhunter]

Army: I know I said I wanted a small sports car, but I changed my mind and want a Winnebago with lots of guns instead.

[bluegun]

I was really bummed when the project was cancelled. It was hyped up with such promising reviews.

[ghostfacehd]

I grew up in Ft Rucker, Al. We were there from 1990-1999. I seen one of these flying during that time. I used to go to that museum, in Ft. Rucker, to get out of the Al heat. I am grateful for this video. I always wondered what happened to the amazing helicopter I seen that day. It ended up in that museum! Thank you, god bless!