ARTICLE

January 2004

Comanche Review Shrouded in Secrecy

by Sandra I. Erwin

The aircraft that once was labeled “the quarterback” of the Army’s future force faces an uncertain fate.

The chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, appointed a “review team” that met in recent months to discuss the future of Army aviation, and what is ahead for Comanche.

The program was cut in half (from 1,200 to about 600 helicopters) last year, to free up dollars for other weapon systems, but the debate now is not centered on how many aircraft the Army needs, but rather on how Comanche would fit into the overall Army aviation force structure.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Bergantz, Army program executive officer for aviation, was not part of the review team, and was not allowed to have any contact with any of the members of the panel, he told contractors attending the Helicon conference, hosted by the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement.

The team was scheduled to wrap up the review in mid-December and report back to Schoomaker. Originally, the panel had been meeting in Fort Rucker, Ala., but later moved to Fort Monroe, Va.

The Comanche review was so secretive that the panel members were sequestered and asked to sign “non-disclosure agreements,” according to one industry source. “It was managed like a Special Forces covert operation,” the industry official said.

Leading the team of about a dozen members was Brig. Gen. James D. Thurman, the commander of the Army National Training Center. A retired Army general who knows Thurman noted that, even though Thurman is a ground-force commander, he is “very experienced” in aviation. In line to become the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Thurman is known to be among the “superstars” in the Army, said the retired general.

Only one representative from Bergantz’ office participated in the meetings (the program manager for the Chinook), but, sworn to secrecy, he was not permitted to report back to Bergantz on any of the deliberations.

The industry source said that the most sensitive item in the Comanche review was the “operational and organizational” plan, which the Army calls O&O.

The current O&O document originally was approved in 1987. The Comanche was conceived in 1981, but has suffered delays and undergone major restructurings.

The program has been in development for so long that, even though it has not gone into full-rate production yet, many of its electronics are obsolete, noted Gary S. Nenninger, project manager for aviation systems.

The Comanche program office, meanwhile, welcomed the news on December 5 that Lt. Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army deputy chief of staff and also an experienced aviator, flew the Comanche and gave the aircraft a stellar review.

According to sources who attended the event, Cody said that Comanche had “exceeded his expectations,” and was particularly impressed by the rotor system, engine response and control.

Cody also reportedly said the aircraft was “easy to fly” and should be put into the hands of soldiers as soon as possible.

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