The Bell Model 409/YAH-63 was an experimental attack helicopter for the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) competition. Hughes' Model 77/YAH-64, later developed into the AH-64 Apache, was selected over Bell's entry.
The first prototype YAH-63 (serial 73-22246) created its maiden flight on 1 October 1975, however crashed throughout a test flight. along with the second prototype (73-22247), entered the official Army 'fly-off' against the YAH-64. On 10 December 1976 the Hughes machine was selected because the winning AAH style, and each YAH-63 prototypes were subsequently returned to Bell for disposal.
The first prototype YAH-63 (serial 73-22246) created its maiden flight on 1 October 1975, however crashed throughout a test flight. along with the second prototype (73-22247), entered the official Army 'fly-off' against the YAH-64. On 10 December 1976 the Hughes machine was selected because the winning AAH style, and each YAH-63 prototypes were subsequently returned to Bell for disposal.
