Analysis of potential structural design modifications for the tail section of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)  
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 102
Subjects: MODIFICATION; HELICOPTERS; RADAR SIGNATURES
Description: The Army RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter made its first flight in January of 1996. Its current structural configuration, however does not meet the Army's requirements for radar signature. Structural configurations of      the tailcone that meet radar cross-section requirements tend to lack sufficient structural stiffness due to the presence of Kevlar in place of graphite on the outer mold line. This thesis investigates potential structural design modifications to the Comanche tailcone that would move the design closer to meeting both its structural and      radar signature requirements. Geometry modifications with baseline (current configuration) materials increased      torsional stiffness by nine percent. Structural geometry modifications using radar signature compliant materials reduced torsional stiffness by 10 percent. The geometry changes analyzed produce structural performance      improvements insufficient to allow the use of radar-compliant materials without further geometry changes.
Notes: Thesis advisors, E.R. Wood, D.A. Danielson, Joshua H. Gordis.

AD-A333 450.

Thesis (M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1997.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 99)

dk/dk cc:9116 12/03/97.