In 1984 the German and French governments issued a requirement for an advanced multi-role battlefield helicopter. A joint venture consisting of MBB and Aerospatiale was subsequently chosen as the preferred supplier.
Due to high costs, the program was canceled in 1986, but was relaunched during 1987. Subsequently, in November 1989, Eurocopter received a contract to build 5 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 80 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.
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. Some local assembly and production will also take place.
TIGER HAP
The Tiger HAP/HCP (Helicoptere d'Appui Protection / Helicopter for Close Protection) is a medium-weight air-to-air combat and fire support helicopter built for the French Army. The Tiger HAP is an air-to-air combat and fire support medium-weight (6 tonnes) helicopter fitted with 2 MTR 390 engines. It is daytime and night combat capable and is operable in NBC environments. Three basic parameters were taken into account right from the start of the development phase: low (visual, radar and infrared) detectability, which provides excellent survivability on the battlefield, maximum efficiency of the weapons and the associated fire control systems without heavier workload for the crew, and an optimized logistic concept offering minimum possession costs. The Tiger HAP is fitted with a 30-mm gun turret; 68-mm submunition rokets, and air-to-air Mistral missiles. It also features a firing sight with 3 sensors: infrared, TV camera and direct optical channel. The complete avionics suite includes multi-purpose color displays and radar/laser warning receivers.
TIGER UHT
The UHT (from Unterstützungshubschrauber Tiger; Ger. supporting helicopter Tiger) is a medium-weight multi-role fire support helicopter built for the Bundeswehr (German Army).The Tiger UHT is a multi-role fire support helicopter. The Trigat Fire and Forget missiles and/or the Hot missiles it carries offer anti-tank capability, while 68-mm rockets ensure air-to-ground fire support. A 12.7 mm air-to-air gun pod and air-to-air Stinger missiles can also be installed. The helicopter also features a mast-mounted sight with a second-generation IRCCD infrared channel and a TV channel, as well as a nose-mounted IRCCD control FLIR for the pilot. Countermeasures include radar/laser/missiles launch/missile approach warning receivers and decoy launchers.
TIGER ARH
The Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) is the version ordered by the Australian Army to replace its OH-58 Kiowas and UH-1 Iroquois-based 'Bushranger' gunships.[2] The Tiger ARH is a modified and upgraded version of the Tiger HAP with upgraded MTR390 engines as well as a laser designator incorporated in the Strix sight for the firing of Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles. Instead of SNEB unguided rockets, the ARH will operate 70 mm (2.75 in.) rockets from Belgian developer, Forges de Zeebruges (FZ).
The Eurocopter EC-505 Tiger AFS-design product features the following:
- New Model of authentic Eurocopter EC-505 Tiger - EADS support
- 17 different visual models covering the Germany Bundeswehr (name: 74+07), France Army, (name: F-ZKDB), Australia Army (name: A 38 - 008) and the Tigerpaint of the tradeshow and airshow ILA - Berlin.
- 3 different weapons loads model variations
- A mask 1 for repainter - make your own model of Eurocopter EC-505 Tiger !!
- New Sound of real Eurocopter EC-505 Tiger with authentic start engine sound
- Tandem seat version: 2 Panels of weopensofficier and pilot
- Panel is complete and full in function with AFS-design - XML gauges:
gps_500, Bendix-King Radio Xpndr, Altimeter, Vertical Speed, RPM Indicator, Fuel, Oil, Temperature, Pitch Trim, Clock,
Flaps, Libelle, Airspeedkn, Fuelpump, Lightnavigation, Lightstrobe, Intercom, starter lock, Compass, Attitude
and many other gauges... - High detail textures with realistic effects, reflective areas, specular shine and accurate external lighting.
- A complete 3D virtual cockpit featuring animated control surfaces, custom gauges, night lighting, high textures, fully interactive and more...
- Detailed and easy to fly flight model with auto-trim
- New animations feature in external model and virtuall cockpit are: 2 Cockpits for pilots and weoponsofficier, detailed rotorsystem, detailed landing gear, rolling wheels, steerable nosegear, canopy, pilot ladder, strobe and navigation lights, folding wings, realistic rotor effect on full power, brake parachute AND virtual cockpit and many more...
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