DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Tiger HAD Combat/Attack Helicopter Flying With French Forces

Defense War News Updates: DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Tiger HAD Combat/Attack Helicopter Flying With French Forces

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS & Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 11, 2013: This milestone followed DGA qualification of the Tiger HAD version on April 10, and marked the delivery startup for Eurocopter’s latest variant of a rotorcraft product line which has already been combat proven during military operations in Afghanistan, Libya and today in Mali.

“With the Tiger HAD, Eurocopter further expands the operational capabilities of a combat helicopter family which has demonstrated its mission effectiveness and performance in highly challenging military deployments,” said Dominique Maudet, the Eurocopter group’s Executive Officer for France, and Vice President of Global Business and Services.

To date, France has ordered 40 Tiger combat helicopters in HAD configuration for its French Army Aviation units. Another 24 helicopters has been ordered by the Spanish government to equip the Spanish Army (which includes six Tiger HAP support and escort versions retrofitted for fire support and attack missions).

Feature improvements of the Tiger HAD variant include two enhanced MTR390 turboshaft engines that provide 14 percent more power, improved ballistic protection, a new optronic sighting system, the capability to target and launch Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, an evolved electronic warfare suite, and an IFF (identification, friend or foe) interrogation system.

97 multi-role Tiger family currently are in service in four countries: France, Germany, Spain and Australia; which have ordered a total of 206 helicopters.

Tiger is made by European firm Eurocopter and has shown up just in time. Until the arrival of the French and German Tigers, American AH-64s provided gunship support for all foreign troops in Afghanistan. France also has some Tigers in Somalia, and Mali, where they have performed well. Tiger has spent over 1,500 flight hours in combat zones so far and a hundred have been delivered to Germany, France (which has ordered 80), Spain (24), and Australia (22). A total of 206 Tiger helicopters have been ordered. So far Tigers have spent over 45,000 hours in the air, most of it for training.

The Tiger costs about as much as the AH-64, a ten ton gunship that has been in service since the 1980s. The six ton Tiger has a crew of two and a max speed of 280 kilometers an hour. It cruises at 230 kilometers an hour and usually stays in the air about three hours per sortie. It is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, 70mm rocket pods (19 rockets per pod), and various types of air-to-ground missiles (eight Hellfire types at once). It can also carry four Mistral anti-aircraft missiles.

Germany appears to have lost its enthusiasm for Tiger and is cutting its order from 80 to 57. Germany has had a lot of problems with Tiger during the last few years. Besides, Germany has better uses for the money, like bailing out the many European nations having financial problems.

It was only last year that Germany got four of its new Tiger helicopter gunships ready for service in Afghanistan. These ASGARD (Afghanistan Stabilization German Army Rapid Deployment) models included sand filters, additional defense systems, a mission data recorder, and communications gear able to deal with systems used by allies. Four more ASGARD Tigers are being prepared. The first four are now in Afghanistan. But all Tigers were grounded on March 4^th, after one of them crashed and burned during a training accident in Germany. This is the third Tiger to crash so far, although none of the six crewmen involved were killed.

German troops in Afghanistan wanted this aircraft badly but delivery was delayed several times due to various problems. In addition to the ASGARD upgrades, there were problems with the wiring and a number of less serious shortcomings as well.

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS & Strategy Page
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Coast Guard To Boost Its fleet With New EC225 Helicopters

Defense War News Updates: DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Coast Guard To Boost Its fleet With New EC225 Helicopters

**Japan Coast Guard to boost its fleet with new EC225 helicopters after intensive rescue missions in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Eurocopter

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 23, 2011: Following intensive relief operations after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, the Japan Coast Guard, Eurocopter Group and Eurocopter Japan have signed a tripartite contract for the supply of three additional EC225 helicopters to the Japan Coast Guard. These aircraft will be the first civilian helicopters to be equipped with the most advanced mission system, to be deployed for search and rescue as well as law enforcement missions.

Procurement of the EC225s was decided after the Japanese Coast Guard efficiently carried out rescue and relief efforts following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit the country on March 11, but unfortunately had aircraft submerged during the disaster that were rendered unserviceable. The acquisition will replenish the fleet with new aircraft that have the technology and capability to carry out complex search and rescue (SAR) as well as anti-piracy missions.

"We are very proud to have our helicopters contributing to saving lives every day in Japan,” said Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling. “The Eurocopter Japan team, which provided round-the-clock support to their customers after the Tohoku tragedy, remains totally committed to ensure that the helicopter missions can be performed in the best and safest conditions."

The Japan Coast Guard initially purchased two EC225s in 2006 through an open tender, complementing their AS332 L1 fleet for long range all-weather SAR missions as well as for ship-borne operations.

“The decision by the Japan Coast Guard to acquire additional EC225s this year was taken in view of its new assignment for anti-piracy missions, while also taking into account the outstanding performance of their existing EC225 helicopters – which have been used intensively since delivery, as demonstrated during the disaster relief operations,” explained Stéphane Ginoux, President and CEO of Eurocopter Japan. “Together, the service’s EC225 and AS332 L1 fleet will be able to continue serving the country and saving lives under severe circumstances.”

When the earthquake struck in March and triggered destructive tsunami waves, Eurocopter Japan immediately set up round-the-clock maintenance shifts to support helicopter operations, ensuring maximum availability of the helicopters to perform their missions. More than half of the helicopters used by fire-fighters, police and coast guards during the disaster relief operations were of Eurocopter origin.

Eurocopter’s twin-engine EC225 is in the 10-11-ton weight category, and features high-performance navigation and mission systems – including a unique digital autopilot; while also offering excellent flight autonomy and a large cabin with seating for 25 persons. As a result, the EC225 and its EC725 military version have become the reference for civil and military search and rescue, off-shore and passenger transport missions not just in Japan, but around the world.

To date, a total of 240 EC225s and EC725s have been ordered, of which approximately half have been delivered. The annual production rate will be increased by 60 percent over the next two-year period to meet market demand.

About Eurocopter Japan (Website: www.eurocopter.co.jp)

Eurocopter Japan Co.,Ltd was established in April 2009 as a subsidiary of Eurocopter (90%) and Itochu Corporation (10%). In July 2009, Eurocopter Japan established Eurocopter Japan T&E. Co.,Ltd, a joint venture with ANAM. After these two acquisitions, Eurocopter became the first foreign affiliated company in this field to become a full fledged industrial player in Japan. With 55% market share in the civil and parapublic sectors, a fleet of 330 helicopters and 50 years of presence in Japan, Eurocopter Japan will continue to contribute to Japanese customers and the society by improving safety, usability and the cost efficiency of the air by providing excellent products and consummate services.

About Eurocopter (Website: www.eurocopter.com)

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 17,500 people. In 2010, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market with a turnover of 4.8 billion Euros, orders for 346 new helicopters and a 49 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the total worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 30 subsidiaries and participations on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. There are currently 11,200 Eurocopter helicopters in service and some 2,900 customers in 147 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

For more information, please contact:

Stéphane CHERY: Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 60 51 Mob: + 33 (0)6 23 93 71 23 stephane.chery@eurocopter.com Gloria ILLAS: Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 58 89 Mob: +33 (0) 6 31 47 08 99 gloria.illas@eurocopter.com Pascale FLEURY: Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 62 38 Mob: + 33 (06) 32 54 05 02 pascale.fleury@eurocopter.com Priscilla YIP: Tel: +65 6592 7217 Mob: +65 9660 7040 priscilla.yip@eurocoptersea.com.sg Melanie WOLF: Tel: + 49 (0) 906 71 57 39 Mob: + 49 (0) 151 17 12 63 18 melanie.wolf@eurocopter.com Julie GUERIN: Tel: +33 (0)4 42 85 59 64 Mob: +33 (0)6 22 00 34 73 julie.guerin@eurocopter.com

Website: www.eurocopter.com

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Eurocopter

*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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DTN News: Flight Tests Begin For Eurocopter’s Tiger HAD Support And Attack Helicopter In Spain

Defense War News Updates: DTN News: Flight Tests Begin For Eurocopter’s Tiger HAD Support And Attack Helicopter In Spain

Source: DTN News / Eurocopter

(NSI News Source Info) ALBACETE, Spain - September 20, 2010: The first HAD support and attack version of Eurocopter’s Tiger helicopter has initiated its flight test program at the company’s Albacete facility in Spain.

During the next 15 months, a full program of tests and development flights will be carried out to obtain the first qualific tion step (Block 1), which is scheduled for December 2011. These evaluations will include firing campaigns of the Mistral and Spike missiles planned before the end of this year.

“This is the first time that Eurocopter Spain has taken on the responsibility for testing a helicopter prototype,” said Liberto Negral, who is responsible for Eurocopter’s Governmental Programmes in Spain. “We are extremely proud to be performing the Tiger HAD’s flight tests, which are proceeding very well and are on time. This represents a great technical achievement for Eurocopter in Spain.”
The first production Tiger HAD helicopters are scheduled for delivery early 2012. Two countries already have placed orders for this version of the Eurocopter Tiger combat helicopter family, 24 ordered by Spain and 40 ordered by France. The HAD version also is being offered for export.

Over the last four months, Eurocopter’s Albacete facility has adapted the configuration of the aircraft for its HAD version, which is a derivative of the Tiger HAP support and escort helicopter variant. This activity included integration of the new MTR390 turboshaft engines, which have been specially designed for the HAD version, along with installation of new versions of the basic and mission software.

The Eurocopter Tiger is the newest and best-performing attack helicopter on the world market. For the different Tiger versions available, France has ordered 80 helicopters, Germany 80, Australia 22 and Spain 24. A total of 57 Tigers have entered service so far. The HAD version offers numerous improvements over the HAP version currently deployed in Afghanistan by the French army. New features include a more powerful engine and increased payload-carrying weight, an improved optical sighting system, launchers for Hellfire and Spike air-to-ground missiles, an identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator, optimized ballistic protection, and a new electronic warfare and countermeasures system.

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

Contact:

Pascale FLEURY:
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 62 38
Mob: + 33 (06) 32 54 05 02
pascale.fleury@eurocopter.com

Dolores MUNIZ:
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 58 89
Mob: + 33 (06) 31 47 08 99
dolores.muniz@eurocopter.com

Christina GOTZHEIN:
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88
Mob: + 49 (0) 151 14 22 92 43
christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com

Melanie WOLF:
Tel: + 49 (0) 906 71 57 39
Mob: + 49 (0) 151 17 12 63 18
melanie.wolf@eurocopter.com

Website: www.eurocopter.com