27 Facts About Eurocopter Tiger

Eurocopter Tiger is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003.

In France and Spain, the Eurocopter Tiger is known as the Tigre, while in Germany it is referred to as the Eurocopter Tiger.

Development of the Eurocopter Tiger started during the Cold War, and it was initially intended as an anti-tank helicopter platform to be used against a Soviet ground invasion of Western Europe.

Eurocopter Tiger has the distinction of being the first all-composite helicopter developed in Europe; even the earliest models incorporate other advanced features such as a glass cockpit, stealth technology, and high agility to increase its survivability.

In November 1989, Eurocopter Tiger signed an agreement that financially secured the majority of the helicopter's development through to serial production, including arrangements for two assembly lines to be built at Aerospatiale's Marignane plant and MBB's Donauworth facility.

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However, Germany was increasingly keen for the Eurocopter Tiger to perform a wider assortment of missions; beyond being an excellent anti-tank platform, the specifications for the German platform were modified to include armed battlefield reconnaissance, close air support of ground troops, and escorting other helicopters.

On 22 March 2002, the first production Tiger was rolled out in a large ceremony held at Eurocopter's Donauworth factory; although production models began initial acceptance trials in 2003, the first official delivery to the French Army took place on 18 March 2005; the first official Tiger delivery to Germany followed on 6 April 2005.

Discreet talks between Britain and France regarding an association with the Eurocopter Tiger had been continuing since the late 1980s and, although Britain initially dismissed industrial participation in the project, it was known by the mid 1990s that Britain was prepared to purchase modern attack helicopters from abroad.

On 21 December 2001, Eurocopter was awarded the contract to meet the Australian Army's "AIR 87 requirement" for 22 Tiger helicopters of the ARH version.

Modifications from the standard Eurocopter Tiger included new communications and avionics systems, as well as compatibility with Australian safety requirements.

In May 2007, in response to an issued tender for 22 attack helicopters for the Indian Air Force, the Eurocopter Tiger was entered into a competition against multiple Russian and American helicopters.

In January 2013, Eurocopter was reportedly in active discussions over potential Tiger procurements with Brazil, Malaysia, and Qatar.

Eurocopter Tiger is capable of undertaking a wide range of combat missions, including armed reconnaissance and surveillance, anti-tank and close air support, escort and protection of friendly assets; and can operate during day or night in all weather conditions, and has been designed to include operations in the aftermath of nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare.

The Eurocopter Tiger can be used in the maritime environment, able to operate from the decks of ships including frigates, and during extreme weather conditions.

Eurocopter Tiger has a tandem-seat 'glass cockpit' and is operated by a two-man crew; the pilot is placed in the forward position, with the gunner seated behind.

Crew new to the Eurocopter Tiger have to undergo substantial retraining due to the differences from older platforms, particularly in higher workload management and the additional capabilities afforded by the type; one major change from preceding attack helicopters is a far greater degree of operational autonomy.

Design of the Eurocopter Tiger includes a high degree of crash worthiness; many of the onboard systems have redundancies and are segregated to minimise the effect of damage.

Eurocopter Tiger can be fitted with various armaments including rockets, cannons, and a range of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, controlled via a dedicated weapons control computer.

When deploying missiles such as the Mistral, the Eurocopter Tiger is capable of taking advantage of the munition's off-boresight capabilities.

In December 2008, final qualification of the HAP and UHT variants of the Eurocopter Tiger was completed, marking the platform's readiness for operational duties overseas.

In May 2009, the Eurocopter Tiger participated in readiness trials off the coast of Toulon to clear the type for active shipboard deployments.

On 4 February 2011, a French Eurocopter Tiger crashed during a night time operation about 30 miles east of Kabul and both crew members suffered light injuries.

In May 2010, Germany suspended deliveries over "serious defects particularly with wiring"; in response Eurocopter Tiger stated that "Corrective measures related to wiring problems have been developed, agreed by the customer and are being implemented", and that two corrected helicopters would soon be handed over to the German military.

Under an agreement between the German government and Eurocopter made in March 2013, a total of 51 Tiger UHs will enter service.

Eurocopter Tiger ARH is the version ordered by the Australian Army to replace its OH-58 Kiowas and UH-1 Iroquois-based 'Bushranger' gunships.

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The Eurocopter Tiger ARH is a modified and upgraded version of the Eurocopter 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.

Australian Army's Eurocopter Tiger ARHs reached their final operating capability on 18 April 2016.