Tiger Raises Its Game

Eurocopter is finally pushing ahead with production of the Tiger attack helicopter, now that secure funding from the primary customers of France and Germany has been assured. Firm backing "at home" is a major boost to export chances, giving the Tiger its first realistic chance of winning sales abroad, notably in Australia's Air 87 armed reconnaissance helicopter competition.

The first pre-production Tiger (PS1) made its maiden flight late last year. This aircraft was in HAP configuration-the armed scout/escort version for the French army. During a 50-minute flight PS1 reached a speed of 175 knots and achieved a load factor of 3g.

The aircraft will be used for advanced equipment trials for the French HAP scout and German UHT "multirole" variants (unlike the HAC, the UHT is being fielded without a gun, and with Stinger AAMs in place of Mistral). Systems on test will include the defensive countermeasures fit, GPS/Doppler nav, Eurogrid digital map, and customer-specific radios. The HAP Tiger will be the first version to enter service. It will be fielded for operations evaluation in 2002, with first deliveries planned for 2003.

Unlike the five previous prototypes, Tiger PS1 was manufactured and assembled using production-standard tooling, equipment and procedures. Eurocopter's Marignane facility will assemble the French HAP aircraft, while the Donauwörth plant will assemble the HAC and UHT anti-tank versions for the French and German armies, respectively.

Hand-in hand with the appearance of PS1 came the qualification of the HAP weapons fit, comprising MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles, TDA 68-mm rockets and the GIAT 30-mm gun turret. Using the PT2R Tiger prototype, crews from Eurocopter, the DGA flight test center and the French army fired at 5-meter diameter targets from a range of 1,000 to 1,500 meters.

The firing trials involved stationary and moving targets in the air-to-ground mode, and air-to-air targets. At a distance of 1,000 meters, nine out of ten rounds fired hit their target; at 1,500 meters, six out ten were on target. The gunnery trials used the HAP's Strix roof-mounted sight and the Topowl helmet-mounted sight. Mistral and rocket trials were completed in 1999, with the Mistral AAMs successfully engaging five targets at ranges of up to 6,000 meters and speeds of up to 400 knots.

Eurocopter submitted its "Aussie Tiger" bid for the Australian Army's Air 87 competition by the tender deadline of April 30. Aussie Tiger is based on the HAP configuration, but with some important changes. Eurocopter has admitted that the HOT 3 anti-tank missile (currently all that is available for the Tiger until the introduction of TRIGAT) does not meet the Australian requirement and so the AGM-114K Hellfire has been integrated to the Aussie Tiger. This necessitates the modification of the Strix sight to incorporate a new laser-designator. A total of eight Hellfires can be carried.

Eurocopter told Show News that the commonality between French and Australian Tigers will make it easy for AAAC pilots to attend the ALAT training school at Le Luc, and Eurocopter has also promised to make Australian industry "self-reliant on the Tiger program." An Air 87 shortlist will be issued by August; the program timetable calls for a contract signature by December 1. The first training aircraft should be delivered in mid-2004, with a "squadron capability" to be in service by December 2004. Between 20 and 24 aircraft will be acquired, depending on the final agreed price.