User Guide

Front and rear cockpit configurations are near identical. The fly-by-wire flight control system
is triply redundant, the cyclic side-stick includes a twist action which controls aircraft yaw.
When used with flight assist modes the Comanche can be flown with just one hand. This
makes the Comanche a remarkably easy aircraft to control.
The cockpit is over-pressurized to prevent any possible crew contamination from NBC -
nuclear, biological or chemical agents. Should the cockpit suffer a minor breach after an
attack the positive cabin pressure will prevent any contaminant invading the crew area.
On-board computing power is equivalent to four super computers, however only 10% of this
power is needed to fly the aircraft; the rest is utilized in a highly advanced mission
equipment package. For target acquisition, there is automatic visual and radar target
recognition. Depending on the orientation of the target to the sensor, the computer can
distinguish not only between wheeled and tracked vehicles, but also determine vehicle type.
It has the remarkable ability of recognizing the difference between an M1 Abrams and
a T-80.
EO sensors can be set to visually scan a crew-designated sector and automatically classify
and track high-priority targets detected within that sector. Target removal is via man-in-the-
loop battle damage assessment, if a target has been hit and destroyed, the operator is
required to confirm destruction before it is removed from the tactical picture.
Sensor information can be shared with other elements of the combined arms team via a
"tactical internet". Command & Control (C2), ground forces, JSTARS, AWACS, indeed any
compatible system can exchange correlate and share tactical information with the
Comanche systems. Supported protocol stacks include; AFTDS, AFAPD, TACFIRE, VMF,
and MTS. Other tactical information distribution systems can be easily incorporated.
For communications, an existing system known as Air Force Integrated Communications
Navigation Identification Avionics, is used for interoperability. In addition there are two VHF-
FM single channel ground and airborne radio systems, a VHF-AM radio set and a HF (high
frequency) radio for non-line of sight communications. An IDM or Improved Data Modem is
used for communicating with the tactical internet.
Mission planning and rehearsal can be done completely in-cockpit using the advanced
"Tactical Mode". Digital terrain maps provide elevation and feature data, which are optionally
overlaid with a tactical situation display then rendered in plan or a real-time 3D perspective
view. The map can be overlaid with threat forces, friendly positions, waypoint information
and calculate intervisibilities. It can be used for threat avoidance or enroute mission
planning. Positional information comes from a composite GPS/Doppler/Inertial navigation
system that is constantly cross-checking and updating itself.
Each processor is an easily replaceable module common to the Air Force and Navy. If a
module should fail, the systems reconfigure themselves allowing the Comanche to remain
in battle and continue its mission despite malfunctions or battle damage.
Analysis of conducted exercises have shown that maneuverability, rate of climb, tandem
(instead of side-by-side) cockpit configuration and a turreted gun are winning combinations
in head to head helicopter engagements.
COMANCHE VERSUS HOKUM
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