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Home | Update | LATEST ISSUE | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 6/98 TIGER GETS GO FOR FIRST BATCH by Karl Schwarz Eurocopter had hoped that the German and French governments would sign an Memorandum of Understanding on the serial production of the Tiger attack helicopter by the end of last year. However, delays are almost to be expected with European armament programs. But now the time seems to have come for the German Secretary of State Simon and the French DGA-boss Helmer to ratify a document securing the production start of the helicopter - just ten years after its initial development got under way. The ILA seems to be the right venue. This of course requires the Bundestag (German Parliament) to agree beforehand. At the beginning of May, (after going to press), this topic was on the agenda of the relevant committees. More lengthy discussions are, however, not expected at this stage. The acquisition of 212 Tigers for the German army and 215 for the ALAT (Aviation Legere de l'Armee de Terre) is planned. However, the first batch will include 160 helicopters: 80 UHT (Tiger support helicopters) for Germany plus 70 HAP (Helicoptere dÕAppui et de Protection) and 10 HAC (Helicoptere Anti Char = anti tank helicopters) for France. The final configuration of the three variants has by now been defined. At the end of 1993 it was decided that the German Tiger is no longer intended for anti-tank purposes only, it will also serve as combat support, escort protection and reconnaissance machine. It will be armed accordingly, i.e. with HOT and Trigat-Anti-Tank missiles, with the later probably available from 2005 at the earliest. New are two 12.7mm pods (FN Herstal), two pods with 22 unguided 68mm rockets and additional fuel tanks. The FLIR located in the nose of the craft, helmet mounted sight and mast-mounted sensors with heat image channel, TV camera and laser range finder will definitely remain as part of the equipment. The necessary changes will require some additional development and tests. At the beginning of April these were agreed on in a fifth amendment to the development contract, that listed all the impending changes. There should not be any undue problems with respect to the necessary certificates, because according to Eurocopter 90 per cent of the development program is complete. The company claims that the Tigers performance is still first class, although the empty weight of the empty helicopter is still far too great with 3,960 kg. Since the maiden flight on 27 April 1991, the Tiger's five prototypes have been airborne for approx. 2,000 hours: The PT1, which originally was only equipped with basic avionics, and is now used as an airframe for ground tests only. PT2 has had full HAP-standard since 1996. From 1997 it had been intended for demonstration purposes for potential export customers. After the crash of PT4 it is now needed for further HAP tests. There will probably be some changes for the certification in 1999 of the so-called HAP Finalisé. The PT3, which corresponds to the HAC, will continue tests of the Euromep avionics after a planned refurbishment, that will start at the end of May. The binocular helm display by Sextant Avionique is on trial. Furthermore Trigat- launches will be carried out, the Mistral fire-control and the HOT anti tank missile will be tested. The PT4, which was built like a HAP, crashed during a night sorty in Northern Australia in the middle of February. It is expected that the accident report, which will be available shortly, will not blame technical faults for the crash. It is more likely that the crew was too fixated on a target, to realise how much height they had lost. The PT5 served as test carrier for the UHT version of the German army model. In June it will be re-wired and fitted with new mission systems. Amongst other things the GEC-helmet displays will be put on trial then. Other test carriers like the Dauphin will also support the Tiger prototypes. On 12 March the first guided Trigat shot was fired from a Dauphin on the French testing-ground Capiteux (Landes). The IR guided rocket hit the target spot on from a distance of 2,670 meters. The development program is focused on gaining certification for the UHT at the beginning of the year 2001, and for the HAP hopefully by the end of that year. Preparation for serial production, which was commissioned in June 1997 and will cost 733.6 million Marks, is in full swing. The construction concept has been worked out, devices are being put together and some parts, which take a long delivery time will be ordered shortly. There will still be two final assembly sites. It is planned that the UHT and HAC will be assembled in Donauw_rth, and the HAP and possible export versions in Marignane. Thanks to the craftÕs modular concept, it is expected that the final assembly will not be too time and labour consuming, since big components like the cockpit, middle fuselage and tail unit van be supplied fully equipped and tested. Construction time of the first Tiger will take around three years. Since the date for delivery of the UHT is panned for October 2001, work will have to start in autumn. The first seven UHT are scheduled for joint training exercises, which will take place in Lue, France. The flying squads of the armed forces will receive the Tiger in 2003. In the same year the French armed forces will receive their first HACs. However, it will have to wait for its first HACs((!!!)) until the year 2011, if they will ever roll off the production line. From page 114 of FLUG REVUE 6/98 Home | Update | LATEST ISSUE | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 6/98 Copyright 1998 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated May 7, 1998 FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany