Fantastic video of operational testing of the RAH-66 Comanche

[zerO_crash]

For those who haven't watched it, a really interesting video on the testing of RAH-66 Comanche:

 

 

There are many takeaways from the video. Granted, the main purpose of the project - making a low observable ("stealth") scout/attack helicopter, would arguably never work (at least with current technology). With that said, looking away from that, and rather considering this project at the face value, it had very interesting features/quirks. The agility, pilot comments and general performance can be extrapolated, esp. in comparison to the AH-64. As an example, the high-pitch noise from the fenestron, gives an example why such a configuration is not ideal on a attack helicopter. There is much more to extract, for the observant ones.

 

Enjoy!

Edited May 22, 2024 by zerO_crash

[Aquorys]

On 5/21/2024 at 8:42 PM, zerO_crash said:

Granted, the main purpose of the project - making a low observable ("stealth") scout/attack helicopter, would arguably never work (at least with current technology).

Apparently, at least some kind of lower-observable helicopter is in service in the US, and of course, the question is, how stealthy it really is - we don't know. We only know about it because they crashed one (and then blew it up and burned it to the ground to avoid exposing the presumably secret technology) during the Osama bin Laden raid in 2011. It is believed to have been a UH-60 Blackhawk modified for less radar visibility and a lower noise level. The operator of these aircraft is almost certainly the US Army's 160th SOAR (aka "Nightstalkers") based at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Even 13 years after the raid, not much is known about these modified helicopters other than the fact that they exist.

[Mapi]

Am 21.5.2024 um 20:42 schrieb zerO_crash:

For those who haven't watched it, a really interesting video on the testing of RAH-66 Comanche:

 

 

There are many takeaways from the video. Granted, the main purpose of the project - making a low observable ("stealth") scout/attack helicopter, would arguably never work (at least with current technology). With that said, looking away from that, and rather considering this project at the face value, it had very interesting features/quirks. The agility, pilot comments and general performance can be extrapolated, esp. in comparison to the AH-64. As an example, the high-pitch noise from the fenestron, gives an example why such a configuration is not ideal on a attack helicopter. There is much more to extract, for the observant ones.

 

Enjoy!

 

yes and it doesn't tip over

 

 

[zerO_crash]

On 6/3/2024 at 10:13 AM, Aquorys said:

Apparently, at least some kind of lower-observable helicopter is in service in the US, and of course, the question is, how stealthy it really is - we don't know. We only know about it because they crashed one (and then blew it up and burned it to the ground to avoid exposing the presumably secret technology) during the Osama bin Laden raid in 2011. It is believed to have been a UH-60 Blackhawk modified for less radar visibility and a lower noise level. The operator of these aircraft is almost certainly the US Army's 160th SOAR (aka "Nightstalkers") based at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Even 13 years after the raid, not much is known about these modified helicopters other than the fact that they exist.

Well, actually, we know they existed. Whether thet do now, is simply not known, nor have they been seen. They were EH-60s, electronic warfare variants of UH-60s with altered appearance for somewhat reduced radar signature. Very little is known overall, other than the extrapolations that can be pulled from the one picture of it (there is a second picture showing the crashed one's tail, but the fidelity leaves a lot to be desired for any meaningful analysis).  Some basic geometrically reflective covers, along with a possibility for RAM-coating (based on how matte the paint looks). The tail antennas from the EH-60s are retained, pointing at this likely being the major ace-in-the-whole, essentially a radiowave jammer. 
 

Still, there is no talk of efficiency (likely a cumulative effect of all the technologies and NOE-flying), nor has there been any formal revival of a helicopter with stealth-characteristics. Furthermore, the main component making any helicopter prominently visible to radar, the rotor, is still there. If it truly was to go for stealth, a fenestron tail rotor is categorically a number one choice due to the shroud covering much of it from frontal aspect, as well sharp tips of the blades (notice what tail rotor Comanche had).

 

Besides legends of legends, there is much in physics that would indicate this to be a interesting helicopter, and nothing more. 
 

Here is an article with the corresponding picture of the surviving one posted:

 

https://www.twz.com/35342/this-is-the-first-image-ever-of-a-stealthy-black-hawk-helicopter

Edited June 7, 2024 by zerO_crash

[zerO_crash]

2 hours ago, Mapi said:

yes and it doesn't tip over

 

 

Flight control system. It would be interesting to get any information about how unstable this helicopter was without electronic FCS. There are helicopters which exceed its agility (maneuverability) and speed, but it still is pretty impressive given that the construct mainly focused on stealthy radar characteristics. It was a nice machine without a doubt, but really failes at its main objective.

 

Then there is the question of just how reliable it would be, and maintenance oriented. Moving cargo-doors, possible RAM coating on the helicopter (that would be a costly business in desert-climate with sand peeling off the rather delicate coating), and much more... Yeah, difficult to say, but surely an expensive toy.

Edited June 7, 2024 by zerO_crash