ARH-70 / RAH-70 / RH-70 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (Bell 407ARH)
The designation of this helicopter is unclear. Most sources use the designation ARH-70, derived from the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) [as of 17 December 2006 Google knew of about 2,400 citations of this nomenclature]. "A" indicates the Attack mission, while “R” designates the ARH’s basic mission of Reconnaissance. “H” represents the vehicle type of helicopter. “70” is the sequential design number approved for the basic mission. The suffix “A” indicates the first model of this specific design. Some sources using the designation RAH-70, which is consistent with the RAH-64 Commanche [as of 17 December 2006 Google knew of about 300 citations of this nomenclature]. Yet others use the designation RH-70 [as of 17 December 2006 Google knew of about 80 citations of this nomenclature].
The ARH-70 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) will conduct armed reconnaissance to gain actionable combat information enabling joint/combined air-ground maneuver execution of Mobile Strike, Close Combat and Vertical Maneuver operations across the full-spectrum of military operations. The ARH will replace the current fleet of OH-58D reconnaissance aircraft upon retirement. Initial delivered aircraft will be a combination of Off the Shelf (OTS) and Non-Development Items (NDI) capable of operating with current and Stryker-equipped forces. Follow on lots of aircraft will provide Future Force capabilities.
The Army has reprogrammed more than $14 billion from the 2004 cancellation of the Comanche program to further aviation modernization. The ARH acquisition is being funded with those resources to replace the aging Kiowa Warrior, which was originally designed to be an interim scout-attack aircraft solution.
The Bell 407 offers one of the best speed, payload and ranges available in its class. The 407 brings superior attributes together to make a phenomenal aircraft. The sports car-like handling with exceptional hot and high hover capability and unparalleled maneuverability, combined with a fuselage and large composite panels ensure ruggedness and ease of maintenance.
The rapidly reconfigurable ARH provides the space, weight, and power to incorporate the MEP, as Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops available, Time and Civilian considerations (METT_TC) dictates, for use in High/hot (4K/95°F with growth potential to 6K/95°F) conditions, complex terrain, and urban environments. The MEP provides a robust communications and navigation suite, advanced state-of-the-art sensor assembly, and self-defense armament capability to fight for, collect, and distribute critical information to all members of the Joint air-ground maneuver team. Specifically, the ARH's robust communication suite when combined with the sensors assembly provides real time delivery of actionable combat information to the joint force while enabling precision employment of Joint sensors and fires.
The ARH will provide a highly deployable, reconnaissance and security capability that will employ immediately upon arrival into theater. The platform will address the capability gaps of interoperability, survivability, versatility, agility, lethality, and sustainability to ensure interoperability over extended ranges, enhance mission effectiveness throughout the operational environment, and focus on system survivability against threats operating in the contemporary operational environment, while reducing the logistical burden on the tactical unit. The fundamental purpose of ARH is to perform reconnaissance and to provide security in combat operations. In doing so, it improves the commander's ability to maneuver and concentrate superior combat power against the enemy at the decisive time and place.
The ARH will replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, and will be a dual crewstation, single-pilot-operable aircraft capable of operating worldwide in all airspace. The standard armed reconnaissance configuration will include the sensor assembly, active and passive countermeasures, external weapon systems, and communication suite. The ARH will be able to communicate on the battlefield with Army, Joint, and Coalition forces. The ARH will have a larger, enhanced engine. In addition, an upgraded tail rotor from the Bell 427 provides greater directional stability and control authority and the upgraded glass cockpit provides greater accuracy, has better display ergonomics, and is more user friendly than the current display, compared to the current OH-58 Kiowa helicopter. The ARH will also incorporate an exhaust infrared suppressor. This device suppresses heat from the helicopter so that it is less detectable by the enemy.
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody marked the beginning of a new era in Army aviation 29 August 2005 when he signed a ceremonial contract with Bell Helicopter for the Army’s $2.2 billion Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. At a ceremony held outside Fort Worth, Texas, the ARH became the first new manned airframe slated for fielding under the Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan since 1983. “This is a significant moment in Army aviation history, a much-needed advance in the capabilities of our aviation fleet, and a key component of the Army’s overall transformation,” said Cody. The ARHs will be the first of three new platforms procured including the Light Utility Helicopter and the Future Cargo Aircraft, to revitalize and modernize the existing fleet of aircraft in the Army’s arsenal.
“These are exciting times for Soldiers across the Army,” said Cody. “They are seeing rapid technologies developing throughout our war-fighting equipment. From unmanned aerial vehicles to advanced weapons to state-of-the-art communications and night vision systems. And now our aviation Soldiers will get 900 new helicopters fielded for the multi-functional aviation brigades, a key component of the Army’s modular force.”
“We are focused on getting this system into the hands of our Soldiers as soon as possible, so they can meet the war-fighting challenges,” said Bell Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh during the ceremony.
The joint endeavor with Bell Helicopter was part of an accelerated acquisition process that took less than 13 months. ARH requirements were identified, approved and put into contract in half the normal acquisition time. “We have accelerated the development and fielding of Aviation Survivability Equipment across the fleet, directly supporting our Soldiers in the on-going fights in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Cody. “The relevance of a scout-attack aviation platform in today’s fight is undeniable.”
“We are happy that (Program Executive Office) - Aviation, teamed with Bell Helicopter, is working so hard to bring the ARH online to give Soldiers and aviators a more modern and robust aircraft as part of the Army’s combined arms team,” said Cody. “This fulfills our Army leader’s commitment to continue to give our Soldiers the best leadership, equipment and training this country can provide,” he said.
The Army’s newest Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter has been designated as the YRH-70A. The Mission Design Series was officially released by headquarters Air Force Materiel Command on 21 February 2006. The MDS is the official designation for Department of Defense aerospace vehicles. The status prefix “Y” indicates the ARH’s current prototype status. “R” designates the ARH’s basic mission of Reconnaissance. “H” represents the vehicle type of helicopter. “70” is the next sequential design number approved for the basic mission. The suffix “A” indicates the first model of this specific design.
The first four ARH System Development and Demonstration prototypes are being manufactured at Bell Helicopter’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The ARH First Unit Equipped is scheduled for September 2008. The Army plans to buy 368 aircraft to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, which will commonly be known as the ARH-70, will retain its prototype status until it enters production in 2007.
The Army Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH-70A), developed by the Program Executive Office, Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., recently completed its first flight July 20, 2006. The aircraft took off from Bell XworX in Arlington, Texas and flew multiple handling maneuvers, flew in a hover for both in and out of ground effect, and flew in a traffic pattern reaching 80 knots, 500 ft. altitude, with banks up to 30 degrees for a little more than 1.5 hours of flight. The flights delineate the ARH program as one of the fastest "contract to flight" programs ever completed and set a new standard for such acquisitions. Branded in December 2003, Bell XworX combines project resources from the across the company to serve as a single resource for rapid development and prototyping of new vertical solutions, as well as efficient solutions to problems facing larger projects.
The Team's focus continues to be towards the completion of the build and functional test of the remaining three test aircraft, clearing the path towards a successful Limited Users Test (LUT), and finishing the production design?. The program schedule has LUT beginning late 2006 to early 2007, in order to complete the production award criteria required to accomplish the first unit equipped in fourth quarter FY 2008 and Full-Rate production in FY 2009.
