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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 8/97 EUROCOPTER TIGER GETS PRODUCTION INVESTMENT CONTRACT by Karl Schwarz While many military programs with German participation are not secure yet, Eurocopter with its Tiger helicopter has almost reached the finish line: On June 20, the contract concerning the production preparation phase for the new attack helicopter was signed at Le bourget. The contract has a volume of DM 733,6 million and, according to the manufacturer, secures 1000 highly qualified jobs, both in Germany and in France over the next three years. Parts production and final assembly for the Tiger will be accomplished at Eurocopter's two production sites in Donauwörth and Marignane. The workshare is 50:50 since the need is calculated at 215 aircraft for the Armée de Terre and 212 for the German Heeresflieger. If there are no problems, the first contract for a lot of 80 aircraft each will supposedly be signed next year. Deliveries are then to begin in 2001. According to Eurocopter, the five prototypes of the Tiger have meanwhile completed 80 percent of the development program. The series configuration was frozen and the qualification of the basic avionics suite has begun. Recent highlights of the test program include among others: the first launches of HOT-2 anti-tank missiles. These trials were conducted in May/June by an integrated military/industrial team in Germany. A total of six HOT-2 were launched in a speed range from hovering to 80 kts. There were no problems encountered, all targets were hit. the first launches of the Mistral air-to-air missile with prototpye PT4 in Cazaux, France. In this trial, the pilot had to defend with the help of his head-up display against an approaching Fox drone (in a 30 degree angle). Due to the bad weather, he only had a few seconds to launch the missile. Trials concerning the performance of the Tiger systems under electromagnetic interferences. The HAP version of the helicopter was exposed 150 times to high voltages, simulating lightning strikes. Furthermore, the aircraft's own radiation (from cables and electronic boxes) was exactly recorded to have a basic data base for future modifications. Based on the positive decision of the two partner countries, Eurocopter now sees a better basis for its export efforts. According to the German-French company, it can compete with the price of the Apache. However, more political support would still be required. In order to keep one of the Tiger competitors a bit more under control, Eurocopter signed a contract with South African Denel in April, which includes a cooperation in marketing the Tiger and the Rooivalk. The latter had been developed during the time of the weapons embargo and on the basis of Puma components. Its production version includes lots of French avionics as well. From page 15 of FLUG REVUE 8/97 See also the technical data of Tiger in our Gallery! Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 8/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated July 4, 1997 FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany