Originally Posted by
Commando Cody
I Going back for substantial redesign, especially allowing two main engines would add major complexity, time and cost and would probably kill the program, already on less than totally firm ground. Keep in mind that FARA is the sixth attempt to replace the OH-58. Questions would certainly arise (they already have) as to whether this kind of craft is needed at all.
Maybe the answer is that OH-58D being replaced by drones and attack helicpters handles the attack and scout requirements, but if we look at what Apache has become, an armed scout (something like Comanche, but not as expensive) still fits into the combined arms approach.
If we go back to the original LHX idea, and add the never ending mission systems growth, you at best end up with a "needs 1.5 pilots to fly" that has to be rounded up to 2, which problem Comanche ran into also.