Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1967 · helicopter
The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne was an advanced compound attack helicopter developed for the US Army in the 1960s, combining a rigid rotor system with a pusher propeller and stub wings to achieve exceptional speed for a rotorcraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.66 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Advanced 1960s attack helicopter with rigid rotor and pusher propeller
- Stub wings for weapons and lift offload
- Tandem cockpit with gunner in nose and pilot above/behind
Highly distinctive: a sleek tandem-seat helicopter body with a four-blade rigid main rotor, stub wings carrying weapons, a pusher propeller at the tail instead of the conventional anti-torque tail rotor, and a separate tail rotor for yaw control; unlike any production helicopter.
Specifications
- The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne has a length of 16.66 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.41 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 407 km/h (253 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Lockheed won the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS) competition in 1966 and built ten prototype AH-56s. The Cheyenne demonstrated remarkable speed — over 400 km/h — but suffered from rotor instability problems, cost overruns, and competition from the emerging AH-64 Apache concept, leading to cancellation in 1972.
Variants
Ten prototypes were built to slightly varying standards as the programme evolved; there were no production variants. The programme's cancellation paved the way for the AH-64 Apache competition.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; evaluated by the US Army over a prolonged test and development period from 1967 until programme cancellation in 1972.
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