Lockheed AH-56A
Cheyenne
Few failed helicopter procurements are as celebrated and mourned as the Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne. This revolutionary compound helicopter was created in response to the Army’s request for a fast, heavily armed escort and attack helicopter. The Cheyenne was among the very first helicopters to boast an integrated avionics suite that included weapons, communications and navigation systems as well as a pilot’s helmet with night vision and weapons pointing capabilities. Retractable landing gear, stub wings, a “rigid rotor”, a four-bladed tail rotor and a three-bladed pusher propeller contributed to a 240 mph performance. The program never went into production and was cancelled in 1972.
Read the bio of Irv Culver, inventor of Lockheed's rigid rotor.
Go back to the photo for last month or check out the photo for next month