Leading the Transformation: RAH-66 Comanche enters EMD phase of systems acquisition life cycle - Army Aviation Modernization - United States, helicopters contract, engineering manufacturing development

Program Manager, Nov-Dec, 2001 by Forrest Hendrick

The RAH-66 Comanche aircraft is the U.S. Army's next generation reconnaissance, security, and light attack helicopter and is an essential element of Army Transformation. This aircraft will replace the Army's aging fleet of OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircraft in the required mission roles beginning around the fiscal 2007 timeframe. Able to perform air combat operations and all operations under limited visibility, day or night, the Comanche RAH-66 will use Low-Observable (LO) technologies to enhance mission effectiveness and capability.

A fully integrated, lightweight, low-cost, twin-engine, two-pilot, advanced technology helicopter weapons system, Comanche is intended to enhance commanders' ability to project, protect, and sustain the force; gain information dominance; shape the battlespace; and conduct decisive operations, while increasing operator and maintainer efficiency. It will perform these missions in support of the Regimental Cavalry Division, or Corps commanders' scheme of maneuver. As spelled out in Part I, RAH-66 Comanche Test and Evaluation Plan, 1999, the Comanche will operate with the UH-60 and AH-64 aircraft and will be interoperable with Joint Forces.

Comanche improvements over the Kiowa Warrior system include:

* Composite airframe structures

* Protected anti-torque systems

* Low-vibration, high-reliability rotor systems

* Reduced signature

* Built-in diagnostics/prognostics

* Second-generation target acquisition and night vision sensors

* Comanche radar.

The Comanche electronics architecture will incorporate integrated communications, navigation, and identification avionics modules, and integrated electronic warfare systems technology The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) approved the RAH-66 for entry into the Milestone II Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD)/Milestone B phase of the acquisition life cycle in April of fiscal 2000.

The EMD phase of Comanche development will test various aspects of the system to mature the technology necessary to ensure a successful program. The Comanche Test and Evaluation Master Plan incorporates several innovative approaches. For the first time, Army Aviation has initiated a major weapon system acquisition of this type, with a two-company industry prime team performing the design, development, and production. This approach offers many potential advantages and disadvantages. To reduce risk and increase the overall likelihood of program success, established key exit criteria will guide the Test and Evaluation (T&E) effort. The following list summarizes the Milestone II exit criteria approved by the DAB:

* Vertical rate of climb

* Night forward-looking infrared radar recognition range

* Radar Cross Section (RCS) signature

* Infrared (IR) signature

* Ballistic vulnerability

* Readiness

* Support and demo of reduced-size Comanche radar antenna.

Comanche T&E Organization

Crucial to the overall success of Comanche development is the Test and Evaluation Integrated Process Team (T&E IPT). The Comanche Program Manager is responsible overall for the developmental T&E program and serves as chairman of the T&E. The Assistant Program Manager for T&E is the central point of contact for T&E-related direction and guidance for the Comanche program. An IPT guides the overall T&E effort for Comanche All Comanche test requirements are integrated through the T&E IPT. The chart at the top of the next page describes the Comanche T&E IPT membership.

The Comanche Program Office will use a Combined Test Team (CTT) to support the overall T&E effort. As the primary test execution arm of the T&E IPT, the goal of the CTT is to reduce redundant testing through a continuous combined government and industry T&E process. The CTT is a combined government-industry team of engineers, users, the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co., U.S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command, and the Army Research Lab. With unrestricted access to data, the CCT will be involved in the following:

* Airframe Development

* Flight Controls Development Handling Qualities

* Armament Fire Control Systems

* Propulsion Systems

* Environmental Testing

* Survivability Demonstrations

* RAM Analysis

* Logistics Supportability

* Electromagnetic Environmental Effects

* Manpower and Personnel Integration

* Shipboard Compatibility

* Embedded Computer Resources

* Self Deployment

* Integrated Training Program

* Live, Virtual, and Constructive Simulation Events

* Real-time Feedback of Developmental and Operational Issues.

EMD Development Phase

Developmental testing of the Comanche began in 1995 and will continue through fiscal 2006. The majority of the developmental testing on the air vehicle was completed during the 1995 to 2000 timeframe. Live fire testing began in fiscal 1999 and will continue in phases up through fiscal 2006. The EMD phase of the Comanche, which began with approval to enter Milestone II in March 2000, will include: continuation of aerodynamic envelope and structural integrity determination; integration of the Target Acquisition System (TAS); integration of the T800/T801 growth engine; and T&E of critical airframe and full Mission Equipment Package (MEP) system performance. The objectives of T&E during this phase include verification of EMD progress and certification of readiness for dedicated operational testing as evaluated against the system specification and the Operational Requirements Document (ORD).