Boeing RAH-66 Comanche

The stealth helicopter built to redefine reconnaissance and light attack missions.

Overview

Boeing Helicopters United States ICAO: H66 1996–2004 $70 million

The Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced reconnaissance and attack helicopter developed for the U.S. Army. Designed with stealth features and modern avionics, it aimed to replace older scout helicopters. The program was canceled before production.

Live Fleet Activity (H66)

📡

Fetching live data…

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × LHTEC T800-LHT-801
Engine type
Turboshaft
Power
2 × 1,563 shp · 1,166 kW
Avionics
Comanche Integrated Communications, Navigation and Identification suite, Miniaturised Longbow radar
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
46 ft 10 in  ·  14.28 m
Tail height
11 ft 1 in  ·  3.37 m
Fuselage diameter
6 ft 8 in  ·  2.03 m
Wing span
39 ft 1 in  ·  11.90 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
17,400 lb  ·  7,900 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
3,300 lb  ·  1,500 kg
Fuel capacity
1,200 gal · 4,500 L · 3,600 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
175 kt  ·  201 mph  ·  324 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,259 nm  ·  1,450 mi  ·  2,330 km
Fuel burn
0.99 nm/gal  ·  0.48 km/L
Ceiling
14,980 ft  ·  4,600 m
Rate of climb
895 ft/min  ·  5 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
(/) tap to zoom
(/)
RAH-66 Comanche with AH-64 Apache

Live fleet activity details

📡
Fetching live data…
All Active Aircraft Types
Flight Airline Reg Alt Speed Heading V/S

Operational Context

Boeing RAH-66 Comanche — stealth reconnaissance helicopter

The RAH-66 first flew in 1996 after years of development during the late Cold War and post-Cold War era. It featured a low-observable design with internal weapons bays and composite construction. The helicopter was intended to conduct armed reconnaissance missions in contested environments.

Powered by two turboshaft engines producing approximately 1,500 shaft horsepower each, the Comanche cruised at around 160 knots (300 km/h). Maximum gross weight was roughly 17,000 pounds (7,710 kg). Advanced avionics and sensor systems were central to its mission profile.

Rising development costs and changing military priorities led to program cancellation in 2004. Although only prototypes were built, the Comanche introduced technologies later applied to other platforms. It remains one of the most ambitious helicopter programs of its era.