THE ANTI-TORQUE TAIL-ROTOR system for the Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche helicopter is being tested at Sikorsky's "whirl stand" in Stratford, Connecticut, USA. The planned test programme includes a 100h endurance run ahead of this month's first flight of the prototype Comanche. The eight-bladed "Fantail" is designed to provide increased protection from tail-rotor strikes during "nap-of-the-earth" manoeuvres, and improve ground-crew safety.

Source: Flight International