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A-38 EUROCOPTER TIGER
In 1984 the French and German governments issued a requirement for an advanced multi-role battlefield helicopter. A joint venture consisting of Aerospatiale and MBB was subsequently chosen as the preferred supplier. 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 eighty helicopters ordered by the French took place in September 2003. The deliveries of the 80 UHT version combat support helicopters ordered by Germany also began at the end of 2003 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 is scheduled to enter service in 2004. Some local assembly and production will also take place. Versions It should be noted that, while the Tiger has a conventional helicopter gunship configuration of the two crew sitting in tandem, it is somewhat unusual in that the pilot is in the front seat and the gunner is in the back, unlike all other production attack helicopters. As a consequence, the seats are offset to opposite sides of the centerline to improve the view forward for the gunner in the back. Tiger HAP The Tiger HAP/HCP (i.e. Helicoptere d'Appui Protection or Helicopter for Close Protection) is a medium-weight air-to-air combat and fire support helicopter built for the French Army. It is fitted with a 30 mm chin-mounted gun turret and 68 mm SNEB unguided rockets for the fire support role as well as Mistral air-to-air missiles. Tiger ARH The Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) is the version used by the Australian Army. 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 the SNEB unguided missile, the ARH use the 70mm(2.75Inch) rockets developed in Belgium. Users The Tiger is used or will be used by the following countries: Germany: 80 aircraft - all of the UHT version. France: 80 aircraft - 40 HAP and 40 HAD Spain: 24 aircraft of the HAD version. Australia: 22 aircraft of the ARH version. TECHNICAL DATA Maximum gross takeoff weight: 6,000 kg (13,225 lb) Internal fuel capacity: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb) Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce / Turboméca / MTU MTR390 turboshafts, 873 kW (1,170 shp) each Performance Maximum speed : 280 km/h (175 mph)Range: 800 km combat; 1,300 km ferry (500 mi / 800 mi) Service ceiling : 4,000 m (13,120 ft)Rate of Climb : 10.7 m/s (2,105 ft/min)Disc loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²) Power/mass : hp/lb (kW/kg)Armament
Link to SF Eurocpter Tiger by the A-Team: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?automodule=downloads&showfile=3138 Cheers Guys!
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