Stealth helicopter

A stealthy RAH-66 Comanche (front) flying in formation with a non-stealthy AH-64 Apache (back)

Stealth helicopters are helicopters that incorporate stealth technology to avoid detection.^[1] Helicopters are in many ways less suitable for stealth technology than airplanes are, because of the noise generated by their rotor blades, which also give off a strong radar signature. In recent years, designs for blades have emerged that can significantly reduce noise,^[2] which is a major issue for clandestine use of helicopters.^[3] A raid on the compound of Osama bin Laden in May 2011 utilized what appeared to be two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks, heavily modified for quieter operations and employing stealth technology to be less visible to radar.^[4][5]

Examples

There have been a few stealth helicopters:^[6][7]

• A modified Hughes 500P (1972), nicknamed "The Quiet One" had reduced noise operation capability and was used once by the CIA during the Vietnam War to deploy a wiretap.^[8]
• The Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche (1996–2004) was a stealth helicopter project; the type was intended to be used for reconnaissance missions by the US Army, however the development project was cancelled during the prototype stage due to rising costs and considerable technical issues experienced.^[4]

Stealth UH-60 Black Hawk

• One or multiple of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks used in the raid upon Osama bin Laden's compound on 1 May 2011 are believed to have featured stealth technologies. These features are said to include specialized materials, and the use of harsh angles and flat surfaces across the exterior fuselage, techniques previously employed upon other stealth aircraft.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}
• Several helicopters, such as the HAL Light Combat Helicopter and Eurocopter Tiger, are said to feature presence-reduction measures or "stealth". The use of advanced composite materials on the airframe has commonly resulted in reductions in an aircraft's radar cross-section (RCS).^[14] In the case of the Eurocopter Tiger, measures were taken to produce minimal visual, radar, infra-red and acoustic signatures to improve battlefield survivability.^[15][16] HAL's Light Combat Helicopter is reported to feature a digital camouflage system.^[17]

See also

• Stealth aircraft
• Black helicopters
• Unmanned aerial vehicle

References