RAH-66 Commanche in Rumsfeld's sights

from strategypage.com

The US Army is marshalling its forces to protect the RAH-66 Comanche. This expensive program for a new combat helicopter is squarely in the sights of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, who is looking for a major program to kill in order to raise money for modernization. The Comanche is a target because various program delays have embarrassed the program, and some ask why we need Comanche at all when the US already has the world’s best combat helicopter [snigger- Vympel] in the AH-64D Apache. The Army insists that Comanche has two key advantages: stealth, and data-fusion technology that will allow it to process and use battlefield tactical information more efficiently. The Army is still reeling from the cancellation of Crusader, a decision that many regard as wrong. While Crusader was heavier than Paladin, it could do considerably more and fewer Crusaders could have done the same job as more Paladins, for a net saving in actual weight.