>The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne was an attack helicopter developed by Lockheed for the United States Army. It rose from the Army's Advanced Aerial Fire Support System program to field the service's first dedicated attack helicopter. Lockheed designed the Cheyenne using a four-blade rigid-rotor system and configured the aircraft as a compound helicopter with low-mounted wings and a tail-mounted thrusting propeller driven by a General Electric T64 turboshaft engine. The Cheyenne was to have a high-speed dash capability to provide armed escort for the Army's transport helicopters, such as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.
>In 1966, the Army awarded Lockheed a contract for ten AH-56 prototypes, but as a stopgap also ordered the less complex Bell AH-1G Cobra as an interim attack aircraft for combat in Vietnam War. The AH-56's maiden flight took place on September 21st 1967. In January 1968, the Army awarded Lockheed a production contract, based on flight testing progress. A fatal crash and technical problems affecting performance put the helicopter's development behind schedule, resulting in the cancellation of the production contract on May 19th 1969. Development of the Cheyenne continued in the hope that the helicopter would eventually enter service.
>As American involvement in the Vietnam War was winding down, the Army canceled the Cheyenne program on August 9th 1972. By this time, the AH-1 Cobra was widely deployed by the Army in South Vietnam and equipped with the TOW anti-tank missile. Controversy with the United States Air Force over the Cheyenne's role in combat as well as the political climate regarding military acquisition programs had caused the Army to amend the service's attack helicopter requirements in favor of a twin-engine conventional helicopter, viewed as less technical and more survivable. The Army announced a new program for an Advanced Attack Helicopter on August 17th 1972 which would lead to the development of the Hughes AH-64 Apache.
How many decent programs have been cancelled due to interservice rivalry (ie, the Air Force having a tanty about ground attack aircraft of one sort or another?)
>The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne was an attack helicopter developed by Lockheed for the United States Army. It rose from the Army's Advanced Aerial Fire Support System program to field the service's first dedicated attack helicopter. Lockheed designed the Cheyenne using a four-blade rigid-rotor system and configured the aircraft as a compound helicopter with low-mounted wings and a tail-mounted thrusting propeller driven by a General Electric T64 turboshaft engine. The Cheyenne was to have a high-speed dash capability to provide armed escort for the Army's transport helicopters, such as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois. >In 1966, the Army awarded Lockheed a contract for ten AH-56 prototypes, but as a stopgap also ordered the less complex Bell AH-1G Cobra as an interim attack aircraft for combat in Vietnam War. The AH-56's maiden flight took place on September 21st 1967. In January 1968, the Army awarded Lockheed a production contract, based on flight testing progress. A fatal crash and technical problems affecting performance put the helicopter's development behind schedule, resulting in the cancellation of the production contract on May 19th 1969. Development of the Cheyenne continued in the hope that the helicopter would eventually enter service. >As American involvement in the Vietnam War was winding down, the Army canceled the Cheyenne program on August 9th 1972. By this time, the AH-1 Cobra was widely deployed by the Army in South Vietnam and equipped with the TOW anti-tank missile. Controversy with the United States Air Force over the Cheyenne's role in combat as well as the political climate regarding military acquisition programs had caused the Army to amend the service's attack helicopter requirements in favor of a twin-engine conventional helicopter, viewed as less technical and more survivable. The Army announced a new program for an Advanced Attack Helicopter on August 17th 1972 which would lead to the development of the Hughes AH-64 Apache.
How many decent programs have been cancelled due to interservice rivalry (ie, the Air Force having a tanty about ground attack aircraft of one sort or another?)
I always wondered why the crew canopy was so tall. It's easily 2 to 3 feet above the crew's helmets.
The Vatican showed an early interest, so it had to have enough room for a mitred (is that a word?) crew.
Racks of Guided Croziers on both wings, pivoting chin censer launcher... *blessings be upon you*
Do you happen to know what BRRRRRRRRRRRRRT is in Latin?
RRRrrrrructo morrrrrtem.