Eurocopter Tiger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tiger/Tigre |
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| Eurocopter Tiger of the German Army | |
| Role | Attack helicopter |
| National origin | Multinational |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters |
| First flight | 27 April 1991 |
| Introduction | 2003 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | French Army German Army Australian Army Spanish Army |
| Produced | 1991–present |
| Number built | 180 as of July 2019 |
The Eurocopter Tiger is a powerful attack helicopter with four blades and two engines. It started flying for armies in 2003. This helicopter is made by Airbus Helicopters, which used to be called Eurocopter. In France and Spain, it's known as the Tigre, which means "Tiger." In Germany, it's simply called the Tiger.
The idea for the Tiger helicopter began during the Cold War. It was first designed to fight tanks if there was a big ground invasion in Europe. But then the Soviet Union broke apart, and the world changed. France and Germany decided to keep building the Tiger. They changed it into a helicopter that could do many different jobs, not just fight tanks. It was ready for action in 2008.
The Tiger is special because it was the first helicopter in Europe made almost entirely from strong, lightweight materials called composites. Even the first models had cool features like a glass cockpit (digital displays), stealth technology (to avoid being seen), and it was very agile. This made it harder for enemies to hit. Newer versions have even stronger engines and can carry more types of weapons. Since it started service, Tiger helicopters have been used in battles in places like Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali.
Contents
How the Tiger Helicopter Was Developed
Starting the Project
In 1984, the governments of France and West Germany wanted a new, advanced helicopter to fight tanks. France also wanted a version to protect other helicopters and fight enemy helicopters.
They planned to buy a total of 427 helicopters. Germany wanted 212 anti-tank helicopters, and France wanted 75 support helicopters and 140 anti-tank ones.
A team of companies, Aérospatiale and MBB, was chosen to build it.
Challenges and Changes
In 1986, the project almost stopped because it was getting too expensive. Some thought it would be cheaper to buy American helicopters like the Boeing AH-64 Apache. The French Defence Minister even said it was costing more than if each country built their own.
But France and Germany decided to keep going. They changed how the project was managed to control costs better. Thomson-CSF took over much of the electronic work, like the vision systems. The project officially restarted in 1987. They focused more on the helicopter's ability to fight tanks.
By 1989, they had a plan to build two assembly lines and five test helicopters. The very first Tiger helicopter flew for the first time on 27 April 1991.
After the Cold War ended in the 1990s, there were fewer defense funds. This led to more questions about whether the Tiger was still needed. Germany wanted the Tiger to do more than just fight tanks. They wanted it for scouting, supporting ground troops, and escorting other helicopters.
In 1992, several aerospace companies, including Aérospatiale and MBB, joined to form the Eurocopter Group. This helped the Tiger project move forward. In 1996, France and Germany agreed to continue the project and develop new missiles for the helicopter.
Orders and Costs
On 18 June 1999, Germany and France officially ordered 160 Tiger helicopters, 80 for each country. This order was worth about €3.3 billion. The first production Tiger was shown in 2002. Deliveries to the French Army started in March 2005, and to the German Army in April 2005.
Germany later reduced its order to 57 helicopters. By 2013, the total cost of the project for the main partners was estimated at €14.7 billion.
Tiger Helicopters Around the World
Exporting the Tiger
In the 1990s, Eurocopter hoped to sell the Tiger to Britain and the Netherlands. There were many discussions, but neither country ended up ordering the Tiger.
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On 21 December 2001, Australia ordered 22 Tiger helicopters for its army. These were a special version called ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter). They had new communication systems and were built to meet Australian safety rules. Most of these helicopters were put together in Australia.
There were some delays in getting the helicopters ready for action. Australia even stopped payments for a while. But by 2008, most problems were fixed. The last Tiger ARH was delivered to Australia in December 2011. In 2019, Australia announced plans to replace its Tiger ARH helicopters.
In September 2003, Spain chose a version of the Tiger called the HAD. Spain ordered 24 of these helicopters. They would carry PARS 3 LR and Mistral missiles and have stronger engines. Spain also joined the Tiger program, which meant its aviation industry became more involved. France later decided to buy the same multi-role HAD version instead of its pure anti-tank model.
In 2006, Saudi Arabia signed a large contract for 142 helicopters, including 12 Tiger attack helicopters. However, this deal was cancelled in 2007 for unknown reasons.
The Tiger also competed for orders in India and South Korea, but it was not chosen. In 2013, Eurocopter was talking to Brazil, Malaysia, and Qatar about buying Tigers. As of 2015, the Tiger was being considered by Poland to replace their old helicopters.
How the Tiger is Designed
Overview
The Tiger can handle many combat missions. These include scouting, fighting tanks, supporting ground troops, and protecting friendly forces. It can fly day or night, in all weather, and even after a chemical or biological attack. It can also operate from ships like frigates.
One of the Tiger's best features is how agile it is. It can even do full loops in the air! This is thanks to its special main rotor. Two powerful FADEC-controlled MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 engines power the helicopter.
The Tiger has a 'glass cockpit' with two seats, one behind the other. The pilot sits in front, and the gunner sits behind. Both crew members can control the weapons or fly the helicopter if needed. The pilot usually handles defense systems and communications.
Pilots need a lot of training to fly the Tiger because it's very different from older helicopters. It has many more capabilities and allows for more independent operations. Despite its complexity, test pilots say it's "the easiest-handling aircraft" they've flown.
The cost of a Tiger helicopter varies by version. Australia's Tiger ARH cost about A$68 million per unit. The newer Tiger HAD version costs around US$44-48 million.
Staying Safe in Battle
The Tiger has special protection systems to help it survive in battle. It uses stealth technology to reduce its visibility to radar, infrared, and sound. This makes it harder for enemies to detect. Its design focuses on being stealthy and agile.
The helicopter's body is made from strong composite materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar, aluminum, and titanium. This makes it lighter and helps reduce its radar cross-section (how easily radar can spot it). The fuselage is also armoured to withstand small arms fire and 23mm cannon rounds.
The Tiger has systems that warn the crew about radar, lasers, and incoming missiles. It also has flares and chaff to confuse enemy missiles.
It was the first helicopter in Europe made entirely from composite materials. The rotors are also made of a special composite that can withstand damage and bird strikes. The helicopter's structure also protects against lightning and electromagnetic pulses.
The Tiger is designed to be very safe in a crash. Many of its systems have backups and are separated to reduce damage. Even the gearbox can run for 60 minutes without oil. The fuel tanks are self-sealing to prevent leaks if hit. In Afghanistan, the Tiger was available for missions 90% of the time, which is very good.
Electronics and Weapons
The Tiger has advanced electronics. It includes systems for managing the battlefield and displaying maps, integrated communication radios, and data links. It also has a digital flight control system and backup data buses. Two mission computers control the weapons, sensors, and targeting.
For navigation, it uses GPS, inertial referencing, Doppler radar, and other sensors. A special forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor on the nose helps the pilot fly at night.
Each crew member has two digital screens to see system information and sensor data. They also have a helmet-mounted display (HMD). The pilot uses the HMD to see flight data and night vision images. The gunner uses it to control weapons and see targeting information.
One of the most important electronic systems is the Osiris sight/sensor, located above the main rotor. This system has cameras, a laser range finder, and gyroscopes for stability. Osiris helps find and track targets, providing data for the weapons. It can also find targets without being detected.
The Tiger can carry many different weapons, including rockets, cannons, and various air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. It has a 30mm cannon under its nose. It can also carry external gun pods, anti-tank missiles, and rocket launchers on its stub wings. It can use missiles like the Mistral that can hit targets even if they are not directly in front of the helicopter.
Tiger Helicopters in Action
In December 2008, the Tiger HAP and UHT versions were fully approved for combat missions overseas. By November 2009, nearly 50 Tigers had been delivered and had flown over 13,000 hours worldwide.
In July 2009, three French Tiger HAP helicopters went to Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. This was the first time the Tiger was used in a real combat zone. The helicopters performed scouting and fire support missions, helping ground troops fight the Taliban. By July 2010, the French Tigers had flown 1,000 hours in Afghanistan. In February 2011, a French Tiger crashed in Afghanistan, but both crew members had only minor injuries.
In August 2009, a German magazine reported that their ten operational Tigers were only good for training due to defects. In May 2010, Germany stopped deliveries because of "serious defects, especially with wiring." Eurocopter said they were fixing the problems.
During the 2011 military intervention in Libya, France sent Tiger attack helicopters on a ship to the Libyan coast. On 4 June 2011, French Tigers, along with British Apache helicopters, began combat operations in Libya.
In December 2012, four German Tiger UHTs were sent to Afghanistan. They flew missions for scouting, ground support, and protecting convoys. These helicopters had been upgraded with new defense systems, sand filters for the engines, and better communications. Between January 2013 and June 2014, German Tigers flew 1,860 hours supporting NATO troops and Afghan forces. On 4 May 2013, a German Tiger fired its weapons for the first time in combat, using rockets and machine gun fire to support special forces.
In March 2013, Spain also sent three Tiger HADs to Afghanistan to support its ground forces.
In January 2013, France deployed a few Tigers for combat in the Northern Mali conflict. Later, upgraded HADs also joined the mission. In March 2017, German Tigers were sent to Mali to support the UN mission. Sadly, in July 2017, one German Tiger crashed in Mali, killing both pilots. An investigation found that mistakes by maintenance contractors caused the crash.
Different Types of Tiger Helicopters
Germany's Tiger: UHT
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The UHT (which means "Support Helicopter Tiger" in German) is a multi-role helicopter for the German Army. Germany plans to have 51 Tiger UHTs. This version can carry "fire and forget" anti-tank missiles like the PARS 3 LR or HOT3. It can also carry 70mm rockets for ground support. For air-to-air combat, it has four AIM-92 Stinger missiles.
Unlike other versions, the UHT doesn't have a built-in gun turret, but a 12.7mm gun pod can be added. Its weapons can be easily changed for different missions. It also uses a special mast-mounted sight with infrared and TV cameras that can see up to 18 km away.
France's Tigers: HAP and HAD
Tiger HAP
The HAP (meaning "Support and Escort Helicopter" in French) is a medium-weight helicopter for the French Army. It's designed for air-to-air combat and fire support. It has a 30mm gun turret under its chin. It can also carry 68mm unguided rockets or 20mm machine cannons for fire support, and Mistral air-to-air missiles. France received 40 HAP helicopters by 2012. In December 2015, France decided to upgrade all its HAP helicopters to the HAD standard by 2025.
Tiger HAD
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The HAD (meaning "Support and Destruction Helicopter" in French and Spanish) is very similar to the HAP. But it's better for flying in hot places. It has 14% more engine power from upgraded MTR390 engines. Its maximum take-off weight is also increased to 6,600 kg. It has better communication systems and stronger protection.
The HAD can carry Hellfire II and Spike ER anti-armor missiles. It's good for attack, escort, ground fire support, scouting, and air-to-air combat. Spain ordered 24 HAD helicopters, and France ordered 40.
Future Upgrades
In January 2016, France, Australia, Germany, and Spain started planning a new upgrade called Tiger Mk3. This upgrade, planned for around 2023, aims to use a common anti-tank missile and improve communication systems.
In March 2022, Airbus agreed with France and Spain to start the MkIII program. 42 French helicopters and 18 Spanish ones will be upgraded, with deliveries starting in 2029 and 2030. The first MkIII prototype is expected to fly in 2025. Each country's MkIII will be slightly different. The upgrades include better sensors, helmet displays, vision systems, radios, and data links for working with drones. They will also get new air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, guns, rockets, and improved defenses. A new navigation system linked to Galileo (Europe's GPS) and updated electronics will also be added.
Australia's Tiger: ARH
The Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) is the version ordered by the Australian Army. It replaced their older helicopters. The ARH is an upgraded HAP version with stronger MTR390 engines. It has a laser designator to fire Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles. Instead of SNEB rockets, the ARH uses 70mm rockets from a Belgian company.
Australia ordered 22 ARH helicopters in December 2001. Most were assembled in Brisbane, Australia. The first two were delivered in December 2004.
In 2012, pilots refused to fly the helicopters after three incidents with cockpit fumes. All safety concerns were later addressed. In 2014, the Australian military successfully tested a laser guidance kit for the ARH's 70mm rockets.
In 2016, Australia announced that the Tiger helicopters would be replaced in the mid-2020s. Reasons included that it wasn't common with other Tiger versions, high engine maintenance costs, and long shipping times for repairs.
The Australian Army's Tiger ARHs were fully ready for operations on 18 April 2016. In 2019, Australia renewed Airbus Helicopters' maintenance contract until 2025.
In July 2019, Australia started looking for a replacement for their Tiger helicopters. They want a "proven and mature" attack helicopter that can also operate from their ships. They want the new helicopters to be ready by 2026.
In January 2021, the Australian Government announced it would buy 29 AH-64E Apache Guardians to replace the Tigers.
Who Uses the Tiger Helicopter?
Australia Australian Army
- 1st Aviation Regiment
France French Army
- 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment
- 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment
- 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment
Germany German Army
- Army Aviation Helicopter Regiment 36
Spain Spanish Army
- Attack Helicopter Battalion 1
Tiger HAP Specifications
- Crew: 2 (pilot and weapon systems officer)
- Length: 14.08 meters (fuselage)
- Height: 3.83 meters
- Empty weight: 3,060 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 6,000 kg
- Fuel capacity: 1,080 kg internally
- Engines: 2 × MTR MTR390 turboshaft engines, 1,303 shp each
- Main rotor diameter: 13 meters
- Max speed: 290 km/h (with rotor head mast); 315 km/h (without rotor head mast)
- Range: 800 km
- Ferry range: 1,300 km (with external tanks)
- Service ceiling: 4,000 meters
- Climb rate: 10.7 meters per second
- Weapons:
- 1 × 30 mm GIAT 30 cannon in a chin turret (up to 450 rounds)
- On its two inner and two outer hardpoints, the Tiger can carry a mix of:
- Inner hardpoints:
- 1 × 20 mm autocannon pods, or
- 22 × 68 mm SNEB unguided rockets in a pod, or
- 19 × 70 mm Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod, or
- 4 × AGM-114 Hellfire missiles (Australia/France), or
- 4 × Spike-ER missiles (Spain), or
- 4 × PARS 3 LR missiles (Germany), or
- 4 × HOT-3 missiles (Germany)
- Outer hardpoints:
- 2 × Mistral air-to-air missiles, or
- 2 × Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) air-to-air missiles (Germany), or
- 12 × 68 mm SNEB unguided rockets in a pod, or
- 7 × 70 mm Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod
- Inner hardpoints:
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