DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Tiger HAD Combat/Attack Helicopter Flying With French Forces

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Tiger HAD Combat/Attack Helicopter Flying With French Forces

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS & Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 11, 2013: This milestone followed DGA qualification of the Tiger HAD version on April 10, and marked the delivery startup for Eurocopter’s latest variant of a rotorcraft product line which has already been combat proven during military operations in Afghanistan, Libya and today in Mali.

“With the Tiger HAD, Eurocopter further expands the operational capabilities of a combat helicopter family which has demonstrated its mission effectiveness and performance in highly challenging military deployments,” said Dominique Maudet, the Eurocopter group’s Executive Officer for France, and Vice President of Global Business and Services.

To date, France has ordered 40 Tiger combat helicopters in HAD configuration for its French Army Aviation units. Another 24 helicopters has been ordered by the Spanish government to equip the Spanish Army (which includes six Tiger HAP support and escort versions retrofitted for fire support and attack missions).

Feature improvements of the Tiger HAD variant include two enhanced MTR390 turboshaft engines that provide 14 percent more power, improved ballistic protection, a new optronic sighting system, the capability to target and launch Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, an evolved electronic warfare suite, and an IFF (identification, friend or foe) interrogation system.

97 multi-role Tiger family currently are in service in four countries: France, Germany, Spain and Australia; which have ordered a total of 206 helicopters.

Tiger is made by European firm Eurocopter and has shown up just in time. Until the arrival of the French and German Tigers, American AH-64s provided gunship support for all foreign troops in Afghanistan. France also has some Tigers in Somalia, and Mali, where they have performed well. Tiger has spent over 1,500 flight hours in combat zones so far and a hundred have been delivered to Germany, France (which has ordered 80), Spain (24), and Australia (22). A total of 206 Tiger helicopters have been ordered. So far Tigers have spent over 45,000 hours in the air, most of it for training.

The Tiger costs about as much as the AH-64, a ten ton gunship that has been in service since the 1980s. The six ton Tiger has a crew of two and a max speed of 280 kilometers an hour. It cruises at 230 kilometers an hour and usually stays in the air about three hours per sortie. It is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, 70mm rocket pods (19 rockets per pod), and various types of air-to-ground missiles (eight Hellfire types at once). It can also carry four Mistral anti-aircraft missiles.

Germany appears to have lost its enthusiasm for Tiger and is cutting its order from 80 to 57. Germany has had a lot of problems with Tiger during the last few years. Besides, Germany has better uses for the money, like bailing out the many European nations having financial problems.

It was only last year that Germany got four of its new Tiger helicopter gunships ready for service in Afghanistan. These ASGARD (Afghanistan Stabilization German Army Rapid Deployment) models included sand filters, additional defense systems, a mission data recorder, and communications gear able to deal with systems used by allies. Four more ASGARD Tigers are being prepared. The first four are now in Afghanistan. But all Tigers were grounded on March 4^th, after one of them crashed and burned during a training accident in Germany. This is the third Tiger to crash so far, although none of the six crewmen involved were killed.

German troops in Afghanistan wanted this aircraft badly but delivery was delayed several times due to various problems. In addition to the ASGARD upgrades, there were problems with the wiring and a number of less serious shortcomings as well.

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS & Strategy Page
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DTN News - GERMANY DEFENSE NEWS: Germany Said To Cancel Billions In Military Plane Orders

DTN News - GERMANY DEFENSE NEWS: Germany Said To Cancel Billions In Military Plane Orders

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Nicola Clark - The New York Times

NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 22, 2011: EADS, the parent company of Airbus, is bracing for months of thorny negotiations with Germany as the country seeks to cancel billions of dollars’ worth of orders for military aircraft in an effort to cut its defense budget.

Thomas de Maizière, the German defense minister, is expected to present the program of radical cuts to the government’s budget committee on Oct. 26. But according to a confidential document that has been leaked to news organizations in recent days, the ministry hopes to sharply reduce its commitments to purchase a range of flying hardware, including A400M transporters, Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, as well as NH-90 transport and Tiger attack helicopters.

“This is another sad chapter in the saga of shrinking European budgets — with major industrial and political implications,” said Alexandra Ashbourne, an aerospace and defense industry consultant in London. “This is going to be very difficult for the industry to absorb, on the one hand, while on the other you will see the British, the Spanish and everyone else once again questioning Germany’s commitment to European defense.”

Less than two years after European governments agreed to a complex rescue program for the long-delayed four-engine turboprop A400M, Germany, the largest customer for the plane, now wants to buy 40 instead of 53 of the airlifters, said a government official, who confirmed the figures cited in the document but declined to be identified because the information was classified.

That would bring Germany’s commitment to the A400M below that of France, which has ordered 50. Germany had originally agreed to buy 60 A400Ms in 2003, but that order was reduced in 2009 as part of an arduously negotiated bailout in which seven NATO governments agreed to a hefty price increase to provide an additional €1.5 billion, or $2.1 billion, in financing to EADS, whose full name is European Aeronautic Defense & Space.

The cuts are part of an effort by Germany to reduce its defense budget by 20 percent. Berlin also wants to reduce its order for Typhoon fighters to 140 instead of 177, while it would like to take delivery of 80 instead of 122 NH-90 helicopters, and only 40 Tigers, half of an original order for 80.

Spokesmen for EADS and the German Defense Ministry declined to discuss the proposed cuts before Mr. de Maizière presented his proposals next week.

But Lt. Col. Holger Neumann, a Defense Ministry spokesman, conceded that there would be deep cuts and said that negotiations with EADS and its partners would be difficult.

“We have to find solutions on a consensus basis, especially concerning those projects under contract,” Colonel Neumann said. “It is not something that we can change unilaterally.”

The A400M is built by the military division of Airbus, while the Typhoon is made by a multinational consortium that includes EADS, BAE Systems of Britain and Finmeccanica of Italy. The NH-90 and the Tiger are products of EADS’s Eurocopter division.

The procurement cuts are part of a broader German effort to streamline its defense bureaucracy, dramatically reducing the size of its active-duty forces to around 185,000 from 220,000 and abolishing compulsory military service, which ended this year.

But analysts noted that canceling the orders could involve costly penalty payments for Berlin unless it managed to find alternative buyers for the equipment it no longer wants. If those buyers end up outside Europe, they added, that would eat into the company’s future export sales — considered vital to recouping research and development costs.

The A400M, for example, has yet to catch on outside Europe, with just one foreign customer, Malaysia, holding a contract for four planes.

South Africa canceled an order for eight planes in 2009, though both sides are still in discussions about possibly reviving that deal at a later date.

EADS has already written down more than €2.4 billion in cost overruns for the A400M. The first of the planes are expected to be delivered in 2014.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Nicola Clark - The New York Times

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DTN News: Flight Tests Begin For Eurocopter’s Tiger HAD Support And Attack Helicopter In Spain

DTN News: Flight Tests Begin For Eurocopter’s Tiger HAD Support And Attack Helicopter In Spain

Source: DTN News / Eurocopter

(NSI News Source Info) ALBACETE, Spain - September 17, 2010: The first HAD support and attack version of Eurocopter’s Tiger helicopter has initiated its flight test program at the company’s Albacete facility in Spain.

During the next 15 months, a full program of tests and development flights will be carried out to obtain the first qualific tion step (Block 1), which is scheduled for December 2011. These evaluations will include firing campaigns of the Mistral and Spike missiles planned before the end of this year.

“This is the first time that Eurocopter Spain has taken on the responsibility for testing a helicopter prototype,” said Liberto Negral, who is responsible for Eurocopter’s Governmental Programmes in Spain. “We are extremely proud to be performing the Tiger HAD’s flight tests, which are proceeding very well and are on time. This represents a great technical achievement for Eurocopter in Spain.” The first production Tiger HAD helicopters are scheduled for delivery early 2012. Two countries already have placed orders for this version of the Eurocopter Tiger combat helicopter family, 24 ordered by Spain and 40 ordered by France. The HAD version also is being offered for export.

Over the last four months, Eurocopter’s Albacete facility has adapted the configuration of the aircraft for its HAD version, which is a derivative of the Tiger HAP support and escort helicopter variant. This activity included integration of the new MTR390 turboshaft engines, which have been specially designed for the HAD version, along with installation of new versions of the basic and mission software.

The Eurocopter Tiger is the newest and best-performing attack helicopter on the world market. For the different Tiger versions available, France has ordered 80 helicopters, Germany 80, Australia 22 and Spain 24. A total of 57 Tigers have entered service so far. The HAD version offers numerous improvements over the HAP version currently deployed in Afghanistan by the French army. New features include a more powerful engine and increased payload-carrying weight, an improved optical sighting system, launchers for Hellfire and Spike air-to-ground missiles, an identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator, optimized ballistic protection, and a new electronic warfare and countermeasures system.

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

Contact:

Pascale FLEURY: Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 62 38 Mob: + 33 (06) 32 54 05 02 pascale.fleury@eurocopter.com

Dolores MUNIZ: Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 58 89 Mob: + 33 (06) 31 47 08 99 dolores.muniz@eurocopter.com

Christina GOTZHEIN: Tel: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88 Mob: + 49 (0) 151 14 22 92 43 christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com

Melanie WOLF: Tel: + 49 (0) 906 71 57 39 Mob: + 49 (0) 151 17 12 63 18 melanie.wolf@eurocopter.com

Website: www.eurocopter.com

DTN News: Tiger Attack Helicopters Earns Its Stripes In Afghanistan

DTN News: Tiger Attack Helicopters Earns Its Stripes In Afghanistan

*Tiger Helicopter: 1,000 Flight Hours in Operations in Afghanistan - EADS Marignane, 29 July 2010

Source: DTN News / Arabian Aerospace

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 3, 2010: The EC665 Tiger HAP (combat support) helicopter operated by the French Army's 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment, has now logged more than 1,000 flight hours in Afghanistan in less than a year.

With an availability rate of 90% in extremely harsh operating conditions, the Tiger has once again demonstrated excellent performance and operability levels for both reconnaissance missions and combat support operations for joint tactical groups (GTIA), which have been unanimous in their praise. A key to this success has been the excellent cooperation between the French Army, the French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA), the OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armaments Co-operation) and Eurocopter, which has deployed a dedicated work structure since the beginning of the operations. In this framework, Eurocopter has been providing the French Army with nonstop support to meet the specific operational needs of the Afghan theater and guarantee the required availability levels. A team of Eurocopter technicians is on assignment in Afghanistan to assist the mechanics of the French Army Air Corps (ALAT). In addition, a customized logistics support service has been set up to respond at any time to any request and to quickly supply any necessary spare parts.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Tiger Attack Helicopter Gunship Debuts With French Forces In Afghanistan

DTN News: Tiger Attack Helicopter Gunship Debuts With French Forces In Afghanistan

*DTN News: The Versatile Tiger Attack Helicopter With Germany Armed Forces, French Tiger Attack helicopters In Afghanistan dated September 7, 2009.

Source: Source: DTN News - - this article / report compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including IANS July 18th, 2010

(NSI News Source Info) FARNBOROUGH, England- July 24, 2010: Thales has announced that together with the Tiger helicopter gunship, its TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display system (HMSD) has been deployed with the French forces in Afghanistan to provide high levels of night vision performance and targeting capabilities for pilots. “The combat-proven Thales TopOwl HMSD has been involved in bringing major operational benefits to helicopter crews,” a Thales statement issued during the ongoing Farnborough Air Show said. “TopOwl is the only helmet-mounted sight and display system offering both conformal piloting symbology, dark night vision performance and accurate targeting together with an unmatched level of comfort and fatigue reduction - key for war missions and the high levels of stress involved,” the statement added. TopOwl night vision performance has recently been upgraded to reach “level 5”, which corresponds to levels of visibility equivalent to a cloudy night with no moon, no peripheral light source and no starlight. “With its exclusive architecture featuring the projection of intensified images directly onto the helmet visor, TopOwl offers a seamless transition between head-up piloting and head-down instrument monitoring, together with a well-balanced centre of gravity, eliminating the pilot fatigue generated by standard night vision goggles,” the statement said. Yves Joannic, Thales vice president for Helicopter Avionics said: “Thales is constantly working towards improving its products and systems. We integrate essential pilot feedback and build on existing technologies to provide greater levels of performance that will better support our troops in theatre.” Thales and New Delhi-based Samtel group are also in a joint venture to design, manufacture and sell avionics systems in the Indian market. Samtel and Thales hold 74:26 in the venture that was started with a capital of $12.5 million with more investments to be pumped in as the joint development efforts progress.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com. and may be forwarded or republished on your website with attribution to http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/

DTN News: Eurocopter To Display Its Latest-Generation Product Range At The 2010 ILA Berlin Air Show

DTN News: Eurocopter To Display Its Latest-Generation Product Range At The 2010 ILA Berlin Air Show

*Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer in the civil and public services markets, will utilize this year’s ILA Berlin Air Show to highlight the company’s international market strength and its continuing ability to innovate.

*Tiger combat helicopter and NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter presented

*First public appearance of new NH90 MedEvac variant

*“Eurocopter goes East” initiative welcomes Lithuania and Poland

Source: DTN News / Eurocopter June 4, 2010

(NSI News Source Info) BERLIN, Germany - June 7, 2010: The company’s display features Eurocopter’s state-of-the-art military helicopters – the Tiger combat helicopter and NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter – both of which are in service with several nations. A new medical evacuation (MedEvac) variant of the NH90 developed by Eurocopter with a view to future German military requirements, as well as a large array of the company’s civil helicopters, will be shown in the HeliCenter static display and on the EADS Group’s booth.

The Tiger, which is being delivered to Germany, France, Australia and Spain, will demonstrate its spectacular maneuverability in the air show’s daily flying display. French Army Tigers have been successfully deployed in Afghanistan since mid-2009. The NH90 – of which 529 units are on order by 14 nations, and which is Europe’s largest military helicopter program – is being delivered to Germany, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands and France, with deliveries to further customers to commence this year. The NH90 in its naval variant, which is operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy, will be on display. In the static display, Eurocopter is presenting a new MedEvac/CasEvac variant of the NH90 for the first time. The company developed this variant to meet future German military requirements as a premium solution for medical evacuation, casualty evacuation and combat search & rescue missions. Emphasizing its market success in the new member states of the European Union, as well as Eastern Europe, a Lithuanian Border Guard EC145 is being shown on the EADS exhibit (Stand #100 in Hall 7), while an emergency medical services-configured (EMS) EC135, the 11th out of a total of 23 ordered by the Polish Ministry of Health, is included in the HeliCenter static display. Rounding out Eurocopter’s presence in the HeliCenter static display are a Eurocopter-upgraded German Army CH-53GA for personnel recovery missions, an EMS-configured EC145 of the DRF (Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht), an EC145 Stylence aircraft for VIP and corporate missions, an EC135 of the Bavarian Police and an EC120 for executive transport and training missions. True to the company’s tradition of setting and raising the standards in the industry, Eurocopter also will participate in ILA’s helicopter conference program with several presentations of new concepts and technologies. In the EADS static display pavilion, new helicopter technologies for enhanced environmental compatibility are being presented. The company’s renowned maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities are shown on Eurocopter’s booth in the HeliCenter. All around ILA Berlin, several other Eurocopter helicopters will be displayed by the company’s customers. About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

DTN News: Germany Suspends Purchase Of EADS Military Helicopters Over Wiring Faults

DTN News: Germany Suspends Purchase Of EADS Military Helicopters Over Wiring Faults

*Germany has suspended the purchase of €3bn (£2.6bn) worth of EADs military helicopters – which are already five years late – because of wiring faults. Source: DTN News / Telegraph By Amy Wilson (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - May 28, 2010: The country ordered 80 Tiger attack helicopters from Eurocopter, a division of EADS, in 1998. Some 67 of those were due to be delivered last year, but so far only 11 have arrived, according to a report by the German ministry of defence. Those which have been delivered have extensive wiring problems and are kitted out to an earlier specification than that ordered by the German government. France ordered 80 Tigers at the same time, in a different model, and has already deployed its version of the helicopter in Afghanistan. The helicopter has "serious defects particularly with its wiring," the defence ministry said, and as a result the first aircraft will not be deployed with Germany's armed forces until November 2011. Eurocopter is the biggest manufacturer of helicopters in the world. "Corrective measures related to wiring problems have been developed, agreed by the customer and are being implemented," a spokesman for Eurocopter said. The company said it will hand over two helicopters which have been through this process to be tested by the German army in the next two months. Further helicopter deliveries are expected by the end of the year. EADS, which is also the parent company of Airbus, has suffered long delays and cost over-runs on its A400M military transport plane because of problems with its engines. The NH-90 helicopter was also delayed.

DTN News: The Versatile Tiger Attack Helicopter With Germany Armed Forces, French Tiger Attack helicopters In Afghanistan

DTN News: The Versatile Tiger Attack Helicopter With Germany Armed Forces, French Tiger Attack helicopters In Afghanistan *Source: DTN News/ Defence News ....(Click here for link)

(NSI News Source Info) BONN, Germany - September 7, 2009: The Tiger constitutes an entirely new generation of helicopters for the armed forces of Germany and France. One of the most advanced combat helicopter in the world today, Tiger offers flexibility and mission diversity to meet the new challenges facing Western alliance and United Nations member countries following the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.

The German Army's total requirement of 212 and the French Army's requirement of a total of 215 Tiger helicopters remains unchanged.

Rapid reaction forces, the Franco-German Brigade, Euro-Corps and similar units can make use of Tiger's inherent multi-mission capabilities which include: dedicated anti-tank missions, mixed ground-target engagements, escort/combat support missions, surveillance and reconnaissance missions as well as protection missions for unarmed transport helicopters flying humanitarian aid missions.

The Germans and French are co-developing the PAH-2 Tiger attack helicopter, which has many of the capabilities of the American AH-64 Apache. The EUROCOPTER Group, owned 70% by AEROSPATIALE France and 30% by Daimler Aerospace (DASA) of Germany, designs and manufactures a wide range of civil and military helicopters in the 2 to 10 ton class. Today, EUROCOPTER is the world's leading manufacturer of civil helicopters, with more than 11.000 helicopters in service in 126 countries.

Despite the political impetus behind co-operation from the French and German Governments, the Tiger was subject to a troubled and protracted gestation. Discussions on a joint program began in the late 1970s, but differences between French and German requirements delayed formal commitment until 1983. In order to reconcile the different requirements of the French and German armies, the industrial consortium was required to produce a common airframe with three separate weapons and equipment fits.

And in 1987 rising costs induced a simplified program with the same helicopter to be procured by both countries. An initial batch of 160 helicopters, 80 for Germany and 80 for France, will be procured. The German Army's total requirement of 212 and the French Army's requirement of a total of 215 Tiger helicopters remains unchanged. Production and final assembly of the machines will be at the Eurocopter plants in Donauw th (Germany) and Marignane (France). Cost and work shares are divided between the two partner countries on a 50:50 per cent basis. Deliveries will commence in 2002. Tiger is being built by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the EADS (European Aeronautics Defence and Space) company formed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, Aerospatiale Matra of France and CASA of Spain. "Tiger can be equipped with four MBDA Mistral or Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missiles." The first flight of the aircraft was in 1991. Serial production began in March 2002 and the first flight of the production Tiger HAP for France took place in March 2003. France has ordered 80 aircraft (40 HAP combat support and 40 HAD multi-role combat). The first HAP version was delivered in March 2005. Germany has ordered 80 combat support aircraft and the first UHT Tiger for Germany was delivered in April 2005. Total procurement is planned to be 120 for France and 120 for Germany. In December 2001, Eurocopter, with the Tiger ARH (armed reconnaissance), was awarded the contract for the Australian Army’s Air 87 requirement for 22 helicopters. The Tiger ARH is a modified version of the Tiger HAP with upgraded MTR390 engines, a laser designator incorporated in the Strix sight for the firing of Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles and M299 "smart" launchers. The first Tiger ARH took its maiden flight in February 2004 and deliveries began in December 2004. It is scheduled to enter service in mid-2008. Certification of the Hellfire II missile is underway and should be completed in September 2005. Australian Aerospace (a subsidiary of Eurocopter) has set up a local production facility for assembly of the helicopters and the manufacture of parts for the entire programme. ADI Ltd is a major subcontractor, responsible for customising the mission and communications systems. In September 2003, Spain selected a version of the Tiger HAP combat support helicopter, to be called the HAD, which will be armed with the Rafael Spike-ER anti-armour and Mistral air-to-air missile systems. 24 helicopters will be ordered which will also have an uprated Enhanced MTR390E engine and a heavier payload. Six helicopters in the HAP version will be delivered to Spain in 2007, which will later be converted to HAD. The first three were delivered in May 2007. 18 HAD versions will be delivered between 2010 and 2014.

( Image: French Tiger attack helicopters in Afghanistan)

France originally placed an order for 70 HAP and ten HAC, an anti-tank variant but this was changed to 40 HAP and 40 HAD variants in December 2005. Spain and France signed the development contract for the helicopter in December 2004. The production HAD made its maiden flight in December 2007. TIGER UHT HELICOPTER Tiger UHT multi-role fire support helicopters have an Osiris mast-mounted sight from SAGEM, with Infrared Charge Coupled Device (IRCCD) camera and laser rangefinder. There is a nose-mounted Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) with a 40° x 30° field of view. "In its combat support role the Tiger uses a gun, 68mm rockets and Mistral missiles." Tiger can be equipped with four MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Mistral or Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missiles. The air-to-air missile control functions are on the flight control grip. Target acquisition is achieved by using the joystick to steer the sight manually or with automatic tracking. The FIM-92 Stinger missile, also produced under license by EADS (formerly LFK), is equipped with a 1kg warhead and range up to 5km. The Mistral missile has a 3kg warhead and range of 6km. The Tiger is fitted with EADS/LFK ATA firing posts for the launch of Euromissile HOT 3 and Euromissile TRIGAT LR anti-tank missiles, fired by the gunner. Only one weapon is activated at a time. The TRIGAT LR missile has a range of 500m to 5,000m and can be applied in direct attack or terminal dive attack modes. The HOT 3 missile has a range of up to 4,000m. Germany placed a production contract for the PARS 3 (TRIGAT LR) missile in June 2006. 680 PARS 3 LR missiles are to be delivered by 2014 for the German Army Tiger UHT helicopter. The Tiger ARH for Australia is being fitted with the M299 launcher for Hellfire II missiles and will also be armed with 70mm rockets. France and Spain have not yet selected an anti-tank missile. TIGER HAD The 40 Tiger HAD helicopters for France will be armed with eight Lockheed Martin Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles. Hellfire II has a semi-active laser seeker and range of over 8km. Spanish HAD will be armed with Rafael Spike-ER air-to-ground missiles, license-built by General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas. In addition, HAD is armed with one Nexter (formerly Giat) 30mm cannon turret, 70mm rockets and four Mistral air-to-air missiles. HAD helicopters will also be equipped with the Sagem Strix roof-mounted sight. TIGER ARH The Tiger ARH for Australia is being fitted with the M299 launcher for Hellfire II missiles and will also be armed with 70mm Hydra rockets, the Nexter 30mm cannon and four Stinger air-to-air missiles. COMBAT SUPPORT TIGER In its combat support role, the Tiger HAP uses a gun for short-range engagements, 68mm rockets at medium and long range and Mistral missiles to engage airborne threats. The helicopter is equipped with a turreted 30mm gun together with: either four Mistral missiles, 44 rockets plus four Mistral missiles, or 68 rockets. Only one weapon can be activated at a time. "The Tiger frames and beams have been fabricated from Kevlar and carbon laminates." The Tiger HAP helicopter for the French Army is equipped with a 30mm AM-30781 automatic cannon from Nexter. Rate of fire is 750 rounds a minute. Tiger HAP also carries four Mistral missiles and two pods each carrying 22 SNEB 68mm rockets. Tiger HAP has a SAGEM Strix roof-mounted sight, with a gyro-stabilised platform, infrared camera, Charge-Coupled Device Television camera (CCD TV), laser rangefinder and direct optical sight. French Tiger HAP helicopters will be capable of deployment from French Navy Mistral and Foudre Class amphibious transport vessels and Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. Initial operating capability for the maritime role is scheduled for late 2008. DESIGN In order to minimise the weight, approximately 80% of the airframe has been constructed of composite materials. The frames and beams have been fabricated from Kevlar and carbon laminates. Panels are composed of Nomex honeycomb material with carbon and Kevlar skins. The helicopter blades are of fibre-composite construction. Radar reflective structures and surfaces have been minimised. COCKPIT Each cockpit is equipped with two multi-function colour displays supplied by Thales Avionique and VDO Luftfahrtgerate Werk GmbH, which display imagery from the gunner's sight, the FLIR and video image from the Dornier/VDO Eurogrid digital map generator. The French Tigre helicopter has a TopOwl helmet-mounted sight for both crew stations and a head up display for the pilot, all supplied by Thales Avionique. The German Tiger crew is equipped with BAE Systems Integrated Day and Night Helmets. Australian Tigers have the Helmet-Mounted Sight Display (HMSD) from ADI. Each crew station is equipped with a Control and Display Unit (CDU). Navigation, communications and system status are controlled via the CDU. The CDU includes a Data Insertion Device (DID), which is a removable memory pack preprogrammed with mission data at a ground station. COUNTERMEASURES "Each cockpit is equipped with two multi-function colour displays." EADS Defence Electronics is providing the EWS electronic warfare suite for the Tiger, which includes a radar warning receiver, laser warner, MILDS missile launch detector developed by EADS DE, central processing unit from Thales and SAPHIR-M chaff / flare dispenser from MBDA. This system is also fitted in the NH 90 helicopter. Indra is providing the electronic warfare suite for the Spanish Tigers. NAVIGATION The navigation system contains two Thales Avionique three-axis ring laser gyro units, two magnetometers, two air data computers, BAE Systems Canada CMA 2012 four-beam Doppler radar, radio altimeter, global positioning system and a suite of low air speed sensors. TURBOSHAFT ENGINES The Tiger HAP / UHT is powered by two MTU / Turbomeca / Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft engines rated at 960kW (1,285shp). Self-sealing crashworthy fuel tanks have explosion suppression and non-return valves. Tiger HAD has two MTR390-E enhanced engines rated at 1,094kW (1,467shp).

DTN News: France Deployed 3 Tiger Combat Tiger Helicopters To Afghanistan

DTN News: France Deployed 3 Tiger Combat Tiger Helicopters To Afghanistan

*Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - July 29, 2009: France has sent three Tiger attack helicopters to Afghanistan, marking the first operational deployment of the aircraft, the ministry of defense said. "On July 26, three Tiger combat helicopters arrived at Kabul airport by Antonov 124," the ministry said in a posting on its Web site. The EC665 Tiger helicopter is being developed for France and Germany in three configurations, UHT multi-role fire support for the German Army and HAD multi-role combat and HAP combat support for the French Army. Tiger is being built by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the EADS (European Aeronautics Defence and Space) company formed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, Aerospatiale Matra of France and CASA of Spain. A deployment of the Tiger aircraft has been long awaited after a deadly ambush by insurgents last August, which brought criticism on the French government for what was seen as inadequate resources for French troops despatched to Afghanistan. The Tiger aircraft, in the hélicoptère d'appui et de protection (HAP) version, will be used for armed reconnaissance and fire support for ground troops, the ministry said. The aircraft are expected to be operational in a few weeks, said a video clip produced by the ministry and ECPAD, the ministry's audiovisual production arm. The three Tiger helicopters, equipped with a chin mounted 30 mm gun, will boost the coalition air assets, to which France contributes three Caracal EC725 combat search and rescue aircraft and three Gazelle "Viviane" light reconnaissance helicopters, based in Kabul. The 5th regiment of combat helicopters, based in Pau, southern France, will operate the Tigers. France has ordered a first batch of 40 Tigers out of a planned 80 units from EADS Eurocopter. In the Aug. 18 ambush in the Uzbeen valley last year, the French forces relied on air support from U.S. AC-130 and F-16 aircraft, with surveillance from a Predator UAV.

DTN News: France Has No Intention Selling Tiger Attack Helicopters To Pakistan

DTN News: France Has No Intention Selling Tiger Attack Helicopters To Pakistan

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - July 10, 2009: France is preparing a comprehensive defense package to help Pakistan in its counterterrorism operations in the North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan, according to a spokesman at the French defense section at Paris' embassy here. Local media had reported a possible Franco-Pakistani defense deal in early July. The spokesman said that the deal would include weapons and training. "Nothing has been agreed, but a lot of things have been discussed. The main issue is to help Pakistan in the area of counterterrorism," he said. He gave no further details but denied reports that a deal had been reached to sell the Franco-German Tiger helicopter to Islamabad. The spokesman said the deal might be concluded when French President Nicholas Sarkozy visits sometime after Sept. 21. France is already working to remedy a shortage of helicopters that has hindered the Pakistan Army during its counterterrorism operations in the North West Frontier Province. The French have returned Pakistan's Puma transport and utility helicopters to full operational status. They are also providing the armed variant of the AS550 Fennec light helicopter, which will join the unarmed Ecureuil variant that in service with Pakistan Army Aviation. But France may not be keen to sell the Tiger gunship, said defense analyst Haris Khan of the Pakistan Military Consortium. Khan said the Pakistan Army needs extra gunships "immediately," but he noted that the most obvious source, Washington, is unable to meet the need. Pakistan had hoped to acquire the AH-64 Apache, but no funds are available for the purchase. Additional AH-1F Cobras are also unlikely to materialize soon because, he said, "it takes close to 24 to 36 months to refurbish a stored AH-1 S/F and make it fully combat-operational." However, a spokesman for the defense section in the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said Pakistan had previously declined an offer of further refurbished Cobras. "Through Foreign Military Financing (FMF), the U.S. provided 12 refurbished AH-1Fs to Pakistan in 2007. Pakistan used U.S. grants to pay for the refurbishments. Also through FMF, the U.S. offered to refurbish an additional eight Pakistan Army AH-1F Cobras; however, Pakistan decided not to pursue this course of action," he said. Khan said the only other U.S. option also comes with a considerable time delay. "The U.S. has indicated that they are willing and able to release close to 14 AH-1W Super Cobras immediately, but first Pakistan Army pilots and technicians would need to be trained. Therefore, the Pakistan Army would be looking at another 10 to 12 months before it wears Pakistani colors," he said. Khan said Pakistan's needs would best be met by the South African AH-2 Rooivalk. "It is hard-hitting, rugged, needs little support, the Pakistan Army is familiar with the Puma platform [upon which it is based] and has expertise with it, and it suits Pakistan's industrial base to a large degree." But he said the Rooivalk program is now all but at a premature end, and Islamabad lacks the finances to revive and purchase it from the South Africans.

DTN News: France To Provide Pakistan With Tiger Combat Helicopters To Fight Militants

DTN News: France To Provide Pakistan With Tiger Combat Helicopters To Fight Militants

*Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - July 3, 2009: France will provide Tiger combat helicopters and military equipment to Pakistan to enhance its capacity to fight terrorism.

Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Advisor to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and other French officials meet President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency.

This was stated by Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Military Personal Staff Adviser to French President, during a series of meetings he held here on Thursday with top political and military leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Tariq Majid and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Official sources said that helicopters to be provided by France would be equipped with ground-to-ground missiles with semi-active laser seekers with a range of over 8km. The multi-role helicopters have modern avionics and radars and can be equipped with anti-tank missiles. Admiral Guillaud commended Pakistan’s determination and resolute action to clear its soil of terrorists and eliminate extremism. French Army ordered 80 aircraft - 40 HAP and 40 HAD (HAD variant to be delivered starting in 2012). As of mid-2009 some 20 HAP had been delivered of which 3 or 4 are expected to be deployed to Afghanistan later in the year. An official of the French embassy said the visit of the delegation led by Admiral Guillaud was a follow-up to French visits by President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief Gen Kayani. ‘The fight against terrorism is a key matter of concern for the international community. Within the framework of our common goal to fight terrorism, this visit aims at strengthening our bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security,’ he said. He said France’s objective was to offer political and military cooperation and support to Pakistani authorities and strengthen their fight against terrorism and extremism. ‘France wishes to contribute to regional security and stability through reinforced dialogue on these matters.’ During the delegation’s meeting with President Zardari, the two sides decided to extend ties, especially in the field of defence, and the use of civilian nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that matters relating to Pak-France cooperation in different areas, the Friends of Pakistan initiative, rehabilitation of internally-displaced people and fight against militants were discussed at the meeting. During his meeting with the delegation, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for a roadmap for pragmatic cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy. He proposed establishment of a working group to work out a plan for nuclear cooperation. Referring to the army operation against militants in Malakand division and tribal areas, the prime minister urged France and other countries to support Pakistan by providing military equipment and assistance to effectively deal with terrorists. The prime minister warned against the possibility of militants crossing over into the Pakistani territory, particularly in Balochistan, in the wake of enhanced deployment of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. The prime minister thanked France for the assistance it pledged at the Democratic Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo for the displaced people of NWFP and said that Pakistan was looking forward to the visit of President Sarkozy when frameworks on defence and security and counter-terrorism and on economic and energy cooperation would be signed. Admiral Guillaud said he hoped the two sides would make progress in the field of trade and economy and in civilian nuclear energy cooperation during visit of French Secretary of State for Foreign Trades to Pakistan on July 20. Admiral Guillaud also called on Gen Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), at the Joint Staff Headquarters. Both leaders exchanged views on regional situation and discussed possible areas of expansion of defence and security cooperation. Gen Majid thanked the government of France for its political support to Pakistan, approval of 12 million euros as initial humanitarian aid for displaced people of Swat and affirmation of assistance for capacity building of Pakistan forces. Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held separate meetings at the General Headquarters with Admiral Guillaud and Gen Stanley McChrystal, Commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), in Afghanistan.

Eurocopter Bids For Indian Helicopter Modernization / Eurocopter Committed To Be The Solution Provider For India’s Air Fleet Modernization

Eurocopter Bids For Indian Helicopter Modernization / Eurocopter Committed To Be The Solution Provider For India’s Air Fleet Modernization

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009: Eurocopter is ready to offer what India needs for its helicopter requirements thanks to its wide range of products.

Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Asia points out:

“As the Indian defence industry embarks on an intensive modernization campaign, Eurocopter is ready to provide perfect solutions for all requirements. By participating in the key RFPs with the best of our products, we hope to continue to support India in developing a strengthened aerospace industry.”

The Eurocopter Tiger (company designation EC 665) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre.

Indeed, Eurocopter has a long tradition of cooperation with India. Eurocopter has had a partnership with India’s leading local industrial company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) since 1962. Starting with enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters of the Alouette 3 and Lama type (Cheetah/ Chetak), the relationship strengthened further with Eurocopter outsourcing exhaustive Ecureuil work packages to HAL for the global market. Today, HAL is part of Eurocopter’s global supply chain by producing Ecureuil/Fennec airframes.

In 2009, in the military environment, Eurocopter has a market share of 55%, comprising HAL-made helicopters, whereas it holds a market share of about 50 % of the civil helicopter market. Flying high on the international success of its wide range of products, Eurocopter will be showcasing models of its military range which are proposed to the Indian armed forces like Fennec, Tiger and EC725.

AS550 Fennec- best helicopter in its class, proven in extreme environment, the ideal choice for Indian Army and Air Force requirements;

FENNEC is a reference helicopter regarding extremely hot / desert operations and, since 2005, it has demonstrated the capability of landing on the top of the world, Mount Everest as well as on the Siachen Glacier in the Indian Himalayas. The AS550 FENNEC is also the only military certified helicopter in the world corresponding to the Indian Armed Forces requirements for Reconnaissance & Surveillance helicopters. In addition to this the FENNEC is the only one that exists in NAVAL military configurations available in both single and twin engine versions. The AS550 Fennec single-engine helicopter is in operation with the Singapore Armed Forces, the Royal Australian Army, the Brazilian Army and Air Force, the Danish Army, the French Army and the United Arab Emirates Army. Over 3,200 helicopters of the family have been ordered, of which over 2,500 have been delivered and are operational in over 70 countries.

The Tiger – Versatility and Stealth at its best;

The Tiger is the only combat helicopter in its class designed for the scenarios of the 21st century. It is the latest generation Attack Helicopter available on the market and already selected by different countries. It is considered the most multifunctional helicopter in the world. It is available in two basic versions the HAP combat support helicopter and the UHT anti-tank version, the first initially designed for the French Army and the second for the German Army, two versions having then derived from HAP: ARH for Australia and HAD for Spain and France. The Tiger is currently the most modern combat helicopter in the world. In total, 206 aircraft have been ordered by France, Germany, Australia and Spain, and 48 Tigers have already been delivered. These aircraft have recorded more than 13,000 flight hours.

EC 725 - Unrivalled mission package both for civil and military demands;

Originally designed to perform various missions, including SAR, Combat SAR, long distance tactical transport missions, the EC725 can also perform medical transport and logistical services. Additionally, it can be perfectly fitted for naval missions. It is an upgraded version of the internationally successful Cougar family. The aircraft has an exceptional fuel capacity and boasts a flight endurance of five-and-a-half hours.

The EC725 includes in flight refuelling capabilities from an air tanker aircraft, making this helicopter capable of very long distance deployment in hostile areas. Similarly, the EC725 is one of the very few helicopters in the world being equipped with a full de-icing system, allowing it to be totally immune to weather limitations, even in extremely cold and icy environment. As of November 2008, 96 EC725 had been ordered by 17 different countries. More recently, the Brazilian armed forces also recognized the multi-role capability of the aircraft and signed a contract for 50 EC725 helicopters.

French Army To Deploy Tigers In Second Quarter / Tiger Would Be Deployed By French Army In Afghanistan This Year

French Army To Deploy Tigers In Second Quarter / Tiger Would Be Deployed By French Army In Afghanistan This Year (NSI News Source Info) January 24, 2009: The first operational deployment of the Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter will take place in the second quarter of 2009, the manufacturer's chief executive has revealed. Speaking in Paris on 20 January, Lutz Bertling said that the Tiger would be deployed by the French army in Afghanistan, and would be "war-proven within 2009". The Eurocopter Tiger (company designation EC 665) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre. In 1984, the German and French governments issued a requirement for an advanced multi-role battlefield helicopter. A joint venture consisting of MBB and Aérospatiale was subsequently chosen as the preferred supplier. Due to high costs, the program was cancelled in 1986, but was relaunched during 1987. Subsequently, in November 1989, Eurocopter received a contract to build five prototypes. Three were to be unarmed testbeds and the other two armed prototypes: one for the German anti-tank variant and the other for the French escort helicopter variant. The first prototype first flew in April 1991. When Aerospatiale and MBB, among others, merged in 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group, the Tiger program was transferred as well. Serial production of the Tiger began in March 2002 and the first flight of the first production Tiger HAP for the French Army took place in March 2003. The delivery of the first of the eighty helicopters ordered by the French took place in September 2003. At the end of 2003, deliveries began of the 80 UHT version combat support helicopters ordered by Germany to the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement Export orders: In December 2001, Eurocopter was awarded the contract for the Australian Army’s "Air 87 Requirement", which was for 22 helicopters of the Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) version. The first Tiger ARH was scheduled to enter service in 2004. 18 of the 22 aircraft will be assembled at the Brisbane facility of Australian Aerospace, the local Eurocopter subsidiary in Australia. In September 2003, Spain selected a variant of the Tiger HAP combat support helicopter - the Tiger HAD - for its army. The 24 helicopters of this type that have been ordered will be armed with the Trigat and Mistral missile systems. They will also have an uprated Enhanced MTR390 engine and a heavier payload. Deliveries are scheduled for 2007-2008. France opted to upgrade most of its HAP Helicopter to HAD; so the HAC-Variant will never be built. In June 2006, the Rafael Spike-ER was selected by the Spanish Army to be the ATGM of the Spanish HAD, instead of the previously announced Trigat missile system. In July 2006, the Saudi Government signed a contract to purchase a total of 142 helicopters, including 12 Tiger attack helicopters. Bertling was unable to disclose the precise number of helicopters to be deployed, saying only that it would be "more than zero, but I don't believe more than five or six". Eurocopter is ready to send a team to Afghanistan to support the deployment with maintenance and support services to meet the army's requirements. The French army operates 13 Tiger HAP helicopters, according to Flight's HeliCAS database, with a further 28 on order. It has also ordered a further 40 in the Tiger HAD configuration. Responding to a suggestion that deliveries of France's Tiger HADs could be delayed by two to three years, Bertling said: "I can definitely not confirm a delay in [that] range." However, he noted that government-furnished equipment such as the aircraft's uprated MTR390-E engines could be a cause of delays. Developed by MTRI, a consortium of ITP, MTU, Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca, the enhanced MTR390-E produces 14% more power for improved hot-and-high performance. Take-off power is increased to 1,470shp (1,095kW). Developed for France and Spain, the Tiger HAD also features improved ballistic protection and a new electronic warfare system. The model's first flight was performed in December 2007 and first deliveries are scheduled for 2011. Spain has ordered 18 of the enhanced standard, and will upgrade its initial six HAP-model aircraft - five of which have now been delivered - to the same configuration.