Indian under fire : just how effective will the Comanche scout/attack helicopter be?

The Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche helicopter has been in development for some 20 years. Threats have evolved that today cast doubts on its design philosophy . Its fly-by-wire control system provides unprecedented flight efficiency, agility, handling qualities, flight safety and reduction in pilot workload. The relatively light and compact design and long range give it high mobility and low operating cost. But the most striking feature of the helicopter is its stealth. The stealth features were very relevant for the battlefield of the 1980s and the 1990s, but a number of new sensors and weapons systems may lead to a reappraisal of the validity of a reduced radar, infrared, acoustic and visual signature for combat helicopters.