Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
AH-56 Cheyenne – The Attack Helicopter That Was Too Advanced to Survive
The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne was a revolutionary aircraft—faster, heavier-armed, and more complex than any helicopter before it. Born from the U.S. Army’s Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS) program in the 1960s, the Cheyenne was the first dedicated attack helicopter designed from the ground up. But despite its promise, the project was ultimately cancelled before it could enter service.
Topics covered in this video:
• The post-Howze Board vision for airmobile warfare and helicopter gunships
• Bell’s early D-255 Iroquois Warrior concept and the interim AH-1 Cobra
• The AAFSS competition and Lockheed’s winning proposal in 1965
• Design innovations: Rigid rotor and pusher prop for high-speed flight (200+ knots); Tandem cockpit with helmet-mounted sights and rotating gunner station; Six hardpoints with TOW missiles, rocket pods, and external fuel options
• Flight testing and the fatal 1969 crash that exposed rotor instability
• Technical fixes vs growing costs, complexity, and doubts about survivability
• Cancellation in 1972 after $400M spent and just 10 airframes built
• The Cheyenne’s influence on the AH-64 Apache and the broader AAH program
Though it never saw combat, the AH-56 remains a pivotal chapter in the evolution of close air support. Its daring design helped define what an attack helicopter could be—even if it proved too ambitious for its time.
CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
00:35 Arming helicopters
02:26 Funding Challenges
02:54 Design Innovations
03:56 Triumph & Tragedy
05:12 Legacy & Succession
Support this channel by joining our Members & Merch shop at https://peacemaker.fashion for ad-free early access, exclusive military fashion discounts, and more perks.
Transcripts and discussion can be found at our Substack militaryaviationvideos.substack.com
_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Original footage and recreated scenes (using DCS, War Thunder, etc) may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.
The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.
AH-56 Cheyenne – The Attack Helicopter That Was Too Advanced to Survive
The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne was a revolutionary aircraft—faster, heavier-armed, and more complex than any helicopter before it. Born from the U.S. Army’s Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS) program in the 1960s, the Cheyenne was the first dedicated attack helicopter designed from the ground up. But despite its promise, the project was ultimately cancelled before it could enter service.
Topics covered in this video:
• The post-Howze Board vision for airmobile warfare and helicopter gunships
• Bell’s early D-255 Iroquois Warrior concept and the interim AH-1 Cobra
• The AAFSS competition and Lockheed’s winning proposal in 1965
• Design innovations: Rigid rotor and pusher prop for high-speed flight (200+ knots); Tandem cockpit with helmet-mounted sights and rotating gunner station; Six hardpoints with TOW missiles, rocket pods, and external fuel options
• Flight testing and the fatal 1969 crash that exposed rotor instability
• Technical fixes vs growing costs, complexity, and doubts about survivability
• Cancellation in 1972 after $400M spent and just 10 airframes built
• The Cheyenne’s influence on the AH-64 Apache and the broader AAH program
Though it never saw combat, the AH-56 remains a pivotal chapter in the evolution of close air support. Its daring design helped define what an attack helicopter could be—even if it proved too ambitious for its time.
CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
00:35 Arming helicopters
02:26 Funding Challenges
02:54 Design Innovations
03:56 Triumph & Tragedy
05:12 Legacy & Succession
Support this channel by joining our Members & Merch shop at https://peacemaker.fashion for ad-free early access, exclusive military fashion discounts, and more perks.
Transcripts and discussion can be found at our Substack militaryaviationvideos.substack.com
_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Original footage and recreated scenes (using DCS, War Thunder, etc) may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.
The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.
