U.S. Army MMAS (Mini-Manned Aircraft System)

[Stargazer]

The October 1976 edition of the U.S. Army Aviation RDT & E Plan contains a requirement I had not previously encountered, designated MMAS (for Mini-Manned Aircraft System). The ascribed mission of MMAS was to "extend intelligence-gathering capability of the ground commander", and "(deploy) small man-portable defense weapon systems."

Three different configurations were considered: a helicopter version, a ducted fan version and a fan-in-wing version. Like many other requirements in the history of aircraft procurement, MMAS came and went. It seems to me like the helicopter would have been ideal for Phoenix (Nagler) or Scorpion (Schramm) proposals, as these two companies offered models of similar dimensions on the market in those years.

 

[samardza]

The October 1976 edition of the U.S. Army Aviation RDT & E Plan contains a requirement I had not previously encountered, designated MMAS (for Mini-Manned Aircraft System). The ascribed mission of MMAS was to "extend intelligence-gathering capability of the ground commander", and "(deploy) small man-portable defense weapon systems."

Three different configurations were considered: a helicopter version, a ducted fan version and a fan-in-wing version. Like many other requirements in the history of aircraft procurement, MMAS came and went. It seems to me like the helicopter would have been ideal for Phoenix (Nagler) or Scorpion (Schramm) proposals, as these two companies offered models of similar dimensions on the market in those years.

View attachment 717435

The helicopter looks similar to the Hiller Hornet and the ducted fan looks like the Garrett STAMP