Tiger
IOC: 2004
Total Production: 206
Total Program's Cost: USD$14.0 billion
Tiger ARH
IOC: 2007
Production: 22
Unitary Cost: USD$50 million
Origin
France
Germany
Contractor/s
Eurocopter
Applications
LHD Canberra
Family Members
Tiger HAD
Tiger HAP
Tiger UHT
Guided Missiles:
AGM-114K Hellfire II (8)
SAM & ABM Missiles:
FIM-92 Stinger-RMP (4)
Power plant:
MTR390 (2)
Sensors & Communications:
AN/AAR-60 MILDS
AN/ARC-210
DAV
Osiris
Strix
TopOwl
TWE
Guns & Missile Launchers:
M299
THL 30
Protection Systems:
Saphir-M
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Description:
The Tiger is a lightweight, two-seat, attack helicopter designed to perform a wide range of missions. It is available in combat fire support and anti-tank configurations. It features and advanced design with extensive use of composites and state-of-the-art avionics. It can accommodate anti-tank and air-to-air missiles, 68mm rockets, and small/medium caliber guns as well as advanced sights.
The Tiger attack helicopter has been selected by the France, Germany and Australia for their armed forces. France plans to purchase up to 215 Tigers, Germany 212, and Australia 22 Tiger ARHs. Germany and France have placed an initial order for 80 Tigers each through 2011.
The Tiger helicopter features high survivability over preceding helicopter generations through reduced infrared, visual, radar and acoustic signatures. In addition, the cockpit can be ejected in the event of a fatal failure or damage, saving the crew. The Tiger also features low costs of ownership and reduced maintainability.
The Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) was selected in 2001 by Australia following an extensive competition conducted under Air 87 program. Beginning in late 2004, 22 Tiger ARH helicopters will be delivered to the Australian Armed Forces with first 4 of them assembled in Europe and the remaining 18 in Australia. According to official Australia schedule, the Tiger ARH will achieve initial operational capability in 2008.
The Tiger ARH, developed to meet the requirements of Air 87 program, will feature a combination of Tiger HAC and HAP models capabilities and will be armed with the combat-proven Hellfire anti-tank missile instead of the Trigat missile originally planned for the Tiger helicopter.
Australian Aerospace, an Eurocopter subsidiary, delivered the first two Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARHs), named ARH1 and ARH2, to the Australian Army at a ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey, Queensland on December 15, 2004. The two Tiger ARH were manufactured in France and re-assembled in Australia. The next two helicopters are manufactured in France as well and will be delivered early in 2005. The remaining 18 aircraft will be manufactured at Australia Aerospace factory in Brisbane, Australia. The first Tiger made in Australia, the ARH5, is expected to be delivered to the Australian Army in the first half of 2005.
OCCAR, Rheinmetall and Thales signed a production contract, worth 236 million euros, of Tiger combat helicopter simulators. The signing ceremony was conducted in Bonn, Germany, on March 16, 2005. The contract calls for 18 simulators to be produced, nine mission simulators and nine trainers, with associated support equipment and services and an option for a further 11 simulators. Simulators will be based at joint Franco-German Tiger training center at Le Luc, France, and in operational regiments in both Germany (Fritzlar and Roth) and France (Pau and �tain). Around 60 pilots will be trained each year at Le Luc training center. Simulators deliveries are expected to begin in 2006 and will continue through 2012. The Australian Army will get four simulators, still under development, of its Tiger ARH with the first delivery anticipated in early 2006.
On 28 May 2005, the first Tiger ARH supporting laser-guided Hellfire II missile integration performed the a successful first firing of an inert missile at the Commonwealth Defence firing range at Woomera, South Australia. The missile was targeted at an armored personnel carrier at approximately 6 kilometers and performed as predicted hitting the center of the armored vehicle.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 30 mm
Dimensions: Height 3.8 m, Length 15 m, Main Rotor Diameter 13 m, Width 4.5 m
Weights: Max Weight 6,000 kg (13,228 lb), Payload 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
Performance: Cruise Speed 64 mps (230 kph), Endurance 3 hours 24 min, Max Range 800 km (432 nm), Top Speed 78 mps (280 kph)
Power: Power 2,570 shp
Other: Main Rotor Blades 4, Number of Engines 2
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