The Bell ARH-70A
Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter - Program Timeline
- On July 29, 2005, Bell was awarded a $211 million system development and demonstration contract by the U.S. Army to build four developmental Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters with a goal of producing commercial-off-the-shelf aircraft based on its Model 407.
- The aircraft, designated the ARH-70A, was intended to replace the Army's fleet of Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warriors and fill a void created by the 2004 cancellation of the RAH-66 Comanche program.
- The Army increased the required number of aircraft from 368 to 512. The additional ARH-70As were to replace four Army National Guard attack helicopter battalions currently equipped with AH-64A model aircraft.
- An increase in required work content in support of aircraft qualification on the ARH-70A led to a restructuring of the program in May 2007. At that point the Army re-baselined the SDD contract, added two additional SDD flight test aircraft, and increased the SDD contract value to $589 million. The restructuring effort was supported by Bell, the Army, and the Pentagon and was briefed to Congress.
- In June 2008 Bell submitted its proposal for Low Rate Initial Production Lot 1 of the ARH-70A. In July 2008, the Army assessed and then notified Congress that the ARH program had exceeded cost-growth limits of the Nunn-McCurdy Act, which triggered a mandatory DoD review of the program.
- On October 16, 2008, the Defense Department notified Bell that the ARH program would not be re-certified and instead would be terminated for convenience. At the time of termination, the SDD contract was 53 percent complete with favorable cost and schedule performance.
Additional facts
- First flight - July 20, 2006 (less than one year after contract award)
- Over 1,500 flight test hours recorded
- Flight test results and analysis predicted the ARH-70A was meeting all key performance parameters.
Specifications
Powerplant: |
One Honeywell HTS900-2 turbine engine rated at 970 shp (723 kW) |
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Dimensions: |
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Length: |
34 feet 8 inches (10.57 m) | |
Height: |
10 feet 11 inches (3.32 m) | |
Rotor: |
35 feet Dia. (10.67 m) | |
Weight: |
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| Useful load: | 1,868 lb. (847 kg) | |
Performance: |
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| Speed: | 161 mph (140 KTAS) max. 0-130 mph (0-113 KTAS) cruise |
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| Ceiling: | 20,000 feet (1,219m) | |
| Range: | >162 nm ( > 300 km) at 4K/95F |
The data set forth herein is preliminary and general in nature. Actual performance data of production aircraft may vary with conditions. For performance data and operating limitations for any specific flight mission, reference must be made to the approved flight manual, once available. Approved for public release, Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile command (AMSAM-PA) Reference Number: 250-2006
