Comanche’s Child: The USA’s New Armed Scout Helicopter
Jan 30, 2012 12:00 EST
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AAS budget realities; Article updates. (Jan 30/12)
The US Army’s ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) program aimed to replace around 375 Bell Textron OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters, after the $14.6 billion RAH-66 Comanche program, was canceled in 2004. Instead, the Army would buy a larger number of less expensive platforms, with reduced capabilities. Bell Helicopter Textron initially won the ARH competition with a militarized version of its highly successful 407 single-engine commercial helicopter, but despite significant private investment after Army funding stopped in March 2007, spiraling costs killed the ARH-70 in October 2008.
What hasn’t changed is the battlefield need for on-call, front-line aerial surveillance and fire support. With its existing OH-58D stock wither wearing down, or shot down, the Army needs to do something. But what? This will serve as DID’s FOCUS Article for the ARH program, and its potential successor the Armed Aerial Scout. It includes updated background, coverage of contracts and key events, and additional research materials:
- The ARH Program: What Happened? [updated]
- ARH: Now What? [updated]
- The ARH Program: Contracts & Events [updated]
- Appendix A: Weary Warriors – The Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Fleet [updated]
- Appendix B: Initial Winner – Bell’s ARH-70
- Appendix C: Additional Readings & Sources
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