NAH-66 Comanche

Case Study

The NAH-66 Comanche was a stealth armed reconnaissance and attack helicopter designed for the United States Army.

Project Summary

Industry

Aerospace and Defense

Location

Boeing

Business Situation

Boeing needed help developing a system to reduce the radar cross-section (RCS) and other areas of visibility for the NAH-66 Comanche.

Technical Situation

This design required radar-absorbent material (RAM) coatings and infrared-suppressant paint applied; with these measures, the Comanche’s RCS is 360 times smaller than the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

Solution

Occam Technology Group performed hardware design and development of analog sensor conditioning, digital signal processing, and validation.

Benefits

The Comanche’s noise signature is noticeably quieter than comparative helicopters; this is partly achieved through the all-composite 5-blade main rotor and tail rotor assembly.

Services

  • Design engineering
  • Hardware/Firmware engineering
  • Digital Signal Development

Hardware/Firmware Development for the RAH-66 Comanche

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense, space and security systems, and service provider of aftermarket support. This company was founded in 1916 in Seattle, Washington and has grown into the fifth-largest defense contractor in the world based on 2017 revenue.

Occam Technology Group (OTG) helped Boeing develop the RAH-66 Comanche Stealth Attack Helicopter. The Comanche was a twin-turbine, two-seat (tandem) armed reconnaissance helicopter with projected missions of armed reconnaissance, light attack and air combat. Boeing and the Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. teamed to develop and build the RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. Engineers at OTG designed and developed control hardware/firmware for the capacitive moisture sensor assembly utilized in the attack helicopter dehydration system.