TIGER – A NEW GENERATION OF HELICOPTERS

The TIGER Programme

TIGER – A NEW GENERATION OF HELICOPTERS The TIGER Programme History of the Tiger The Tiger helicopter is a multi-role combat helicopter within the 6-ton class, fully developed in Europe, and currently in service in France, Spain, Germany and Australia. It was designed from a common platform complemented with several sets of equipment building a number of variants tailored to the customers’ requirements. 

 Initiated in 1984 by the French and West German governments that issued a requirement for an advanced multirole battlefield helicopter, the Programme was placed under OCCAR Responsibility since its legal status was achieved in 2001. In 2004, Spain joined the Programme. The through-life management approach applied by OCCAR-EA and the willingness of Tiger Nations to harmonize together their requirements in a co-operative approach have been a key factor to maximise the synergies for cost-effectiveness and to achieve the development of such complex combat helicopter. Furthermore, Australia ordered in 2001, as an export customer, 22 Tiger Helicopter in ARH configuration. Although not part of OCCAR TIGER Programme, OCCAR maintains a close relationship with Australia, especially since 2009 when Australia was granted with an Observer Status in the Tiger programme. 

 Since its entry into services in 2007, the Tiger Helicopter is capable of undertaking a wide range of combat missions, including: 

• armed reconnaissance and surveillance, 
• ground support (anti-tank, and friendly assets protection) 
• close air support (escort or air combat) 

Fully combat proven, the TIGER helicopter has become an essential asset during Armed forces deployment. While operating in highly demanding environments like naval, sandy, hot and high conditions, it showed in the different operational theatres its robustness and reliability. It 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 Tiger can also be used in the maritime environment, able to operate from ships (from frigate to H/C carrier). 

In 2015, to pave the way to the TIGER Helicopter midlife upgrade, and address the main challenges to come related to obsolescence treatment and growth potential, France, Spain and Germany decided to jointly launch an architecture study for the TIGER Helicopter midlife upgrade. The requirements of Nations were focused on three main objectives: 

• anticipate obsolescence cases, by defining a new avionic, in line with the state of the art of future aircrafts; 
• improve the existing capabilities, such as armaments, radios, visors and sensors; 
• create additional capabilities, especially in the area of the modern battle management and communication capabilities in 21st century scenarios. 

This Architecture Study led to redefine the common architecture baseline for the new Tiger variant, so called MkIII, based on advanced technologies, with a new avionics suite and an enhanced weapon system. 

While foreseen for France, Spain and Germany, The MkIII contract was finally signed on the 02 March 2022 by OCCAR on behalf of France and Spain. Meanwhile, OCCAR-EA continue to actively support the UHT configuration update in conjunction with the German incremental SW implementation strategy.

TIGER Participating States

Observer: Australia

TIGER Concept 

Designed and produced by Airbus Helicopters from a common platform, complemented with a wide range of specific equipment for each variant, comprising air-to-ground, anti-tank, air-to-air, reconnaissance and force protection capabilities, the TIGER helicopter is the first composite helicopter in Europe. While operating in highly demanding environments like naval, sandy, hot and high conditions, the Tiger helicopter showed in the different operational theatres its agility, survivability and operational effectiveness. It 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. It can be easily deployed (air transportation capability) and is fitted to be operated from on-shore as well as off-shore. 

The common platform of all variants promotes: 

• High Maneuverability & Agility through the highly responsive four bladed rigid rotor and the accurate automatic flight control system with sophisticated upper modes. In addition, to cope with TIGER operational requirements, the MTR390 engines have been specifically designed for the TIGER. 
• High Survivability through high crashworthiness, system redundancies and segregation, self-sealing tanks, Kevlar ballistic protection (against 23 mm autocannon fire), Chaff & Flares dispenser. 
• Extended Combat Radius through the extensive use of composite materials (nearly 80% of the airframe) that significantly reduces the weight. With external fuel tanks, the range can be increased up to +50%. 
• Operational Effectiveness through 
• tandem seat arrangement of pilot in the front and gunner in the back, 
• optimized ergonomic settings and 
• sophisticated Man-Machine-Interface (MMI) features which improves the crew’s situational awareness and is fully adapted to mission fulfillment in all situations. 
• Mission Effectiveness through 
• advanced firing controls and modular weapons system (air to ground, air to air, short, mid and long-range capabilities), laser designation, 
• passive Electronic Warfare System, mode 5 Identifier Friend Foe, 
• state of the art Radio Communication System, 
• low Detectability (flat and narrow silhouette, suppression of thermal radiation, low radar IR signature, passive weapon system) and 
• reconnaissance systems, multi-function displays, helmets display, Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), night vision system. 
• Logistic Footprint: Combat-proven ability to be operated without heavy infrastructure and low maintenance manpower on land and sea platforms. 
• Technical Data: 
• Empty Weight / Maxi Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 4,250 Kg / 6,600 kg 
• Mission duration (standard fuel tanks): 2 h 30 min 
• Maximum endurance with external fuel tank: 5h 
• Fast cruise speed at MTOW SL: 146 kts 
• Max range with standard fuel tanks: 400 NM 
• Service ceiling: -1,640 ft to 13,123 ft

The TIGER Variants

Under OCCAR-EA management, three main variants have been developed and delivered to France, Germany and Spain: the UHT for Germany (68 UHT delivered), the HAP and HAD for France (40 HAP-F and 31 HAD-F delivered) and Spain (6 HAP-E and 18 HAD-E delivered). While the German UHT variant is mainly oriented to the anti-tank capability, the HAP variant is designed to fulfil escort and protection missions. Developed later one, when Spain joined the programme, the HAD variant adds air-to-ground capability compared to the HAP variant, on top of the enhanced engine and upgraded features. From 2026 onward, there will be no more HAP variant as HAP-E has been decommissioned end of 2020 and HAP-F are currently under retrofit to reach the HAD-F configuration. 

In addition to the OCCAR-EA managed variants, the Australian variant ARH is an enhanced version of the HAP-F with Hellfire capability. 

While Tiger Helicopter production is over since 2019, Retrofits activities are either ongoing or to be planned. Indeed, HAD and UHT variants are kept up to date through the configuration management process, allowing Nations to cope with battlefield requirements. 

• HAP 
• HAP-F: Hélicoptère d’Appui et Protection – France 
• HAP-E: Helicóptero de Apoyo y Protection – España With an entry into service in 2005, 

The HAP is an escort and close air support helicopter, featuring also air-to-air capability. In this combat support role, its 30 mm turreted gun offers air-to-ground short range firing capability, complemented by the 68 mm rockets for medium to long range and the possibility to target air threats with the MISTRAL missile. Continuously been deployed since 2009 the HAP proved its precise and versatile combat capabilities. In particular, in the Libyan conflict in 2011, the HAP-F have been operated from the French Navy assault vessel “Tonnerre”. In addition to high and hot conditions already successfully experienced, the HAP-F has demonstrated remarkable deployment flexibility not only from shore but also under the challenging weather and naval circumstances off-shore. The HAP “STRIX” roof-mounted sight provides a gyro stabilized platform with an infrared camera, charge coupled device television camera, a laser rangefinder and direct optical sight. Associated to the advanced firing controls, the STRIX is an asset for a precise and effective targeting on battlefield.

• UHT • UHT: 
• Unterstützungsh/ubschrauber Tiger – Germany

Originally designed for typical cold-war anti-tank mission, the German TIGER variant (UHT) features a high-end mission equipment package with high-performance mast-mounted sight coupled to air-to-ground missile. The 12.7 mm gun pods under the UHT wings as well as 70 mm rockets and HOT missiles present striking short-range arguments as well. The air self-defence is ensured by STINGER missiles. To cope with new operational requirements, the UHT helicopters are retrofitted into “ASGARD-F” (standing for “Afghanistan Stabilisation German Army Rapid Deployment - Full”), the updated standard developed in front of the deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. This upgrade encompasses additional ballistic protection, engine air particle separation, mission data recorder, SatCom and various software improvements. While DE is not joining the Tiger mid-life upgrade programme, the UHT is kept up to date, in conjunction with incremental SW release plan.

• HAD 
• HAD-F: Hélicoptère d’Appui et Destruction – France 
• HAD-E: Helicóptero de Ataque y Destrucción – España 

Following the entry of Spain on the TIGER Programme in 2004, a major improvement of mission capabilities was launched under the HAD variant, designed for both asymmetric warfare and conventional scenarios with a full range of armament, including the integration of two air-to-ground missiles (wire-guided SPIKE missile for HAD-E and laser-guided HELLFIRE for HAD-F). On top of this air-to ground capabilities, the HAD configuration is likewise powerful, thanks to the enhanced MTR 390 turboshaft engines providing 14% additional power. The upgraded RMS provides TV camera, thermal imager, laser rangefinder, laser designator, and a laser spot tracker capable of simultaneously following up to four targets. An additional display system is provided with the Helmet-Mounted Sigh Display Binocular (HMSD-B) that presents flight and fire data and enables the crew to interact with, and control, the on-board weapon systems and view targeting data. To maintain Tiger areal superiority, others features have been implemented or upgraded (EUROGRID battlefield management and digital map display systems, integrated radio and data links, IFF transponder/interrogator…). HAD-E is upgraded through Incremental SW updates and HAD-F is currently retrofitted into MkII standard. Those upgrades are paving the way for the Tiger MkIII midlife upgrade. 

• HAD MkIII Midlife upgrade

The Tiger Midlife upgrade project started in 2015 with preliminary activities (architecture study and de-risking activities). The objective of this project is to improve significantly the TIGER global efficiency through a consistent upgrade of its detection, aggression and communication capabilities, by developing a modernized, innovative and life-time extended European attack helicopter. Initially planned for the 3 Nations, MkIII contract was finally signed for ES and FR in March 2022. The contract will allow the upgrade of 67 helicopters for France and 18 helicopters for Spain. 

The new design will integrate advanced technologies such as a new avionics suite and an enhanced weapon system. Many systems will be upgraded within this project like the Automatic Flight Control System, the Air Conditioning System, and the navigation system. Mission Capabilities will be enhanced (armaments, radios, visors and sensors…) and enlarged with new ones, especially in the area of the centralized data processing, with data fusion and correlation (battle management, MUM-T, digital communication capabilities). 

 Overall Tiger MkIII will be a strongly enhanced helicopter, built to meet Nations requests for modernity, to face new operational challenges, while preserving all the current advantages of the existing helicopter. Thanks to all these improvements, Tiger will enter into a new era, by adapting the Weapon Systems to modern state of the art equipment and allows its use for several decades.

The TIGER In-Service Support Concept

The TIGER In Service Support phase has ramped up significantly since the first deliveries in 2005. From the very beginning, the participating Nations decided to implement a common approach to achieve the maximum availability of the fleet and the costs effectiveness. The support strategy of the TIGER embraces a comprehensive Through Life Management approach minimizing Life Cycle Costs and maximizing harmonized requirements between the customer nations. Currently, OCCAR manages the In-Service activities covering 51 UHT for Germany, 69 H/Cs for France and 18 HAD for Spain. Thanks to the already gained knowledge in supporting the system in different abroad theatres, The TIGER In-service contractual scheme is continuously evolving in order to face future challenges. It encompasses all possible logistic services (spares, repair & overhaul, logistic engineering, training…. Among the flexibility provided in the OCCAR-EA In-Service contractual scheme for TIGER, Nation can directly order their spares and repairs through the NAMSIS platform, thanks to the Service level Agreement between NSPA and OCCAR-EA. On top, with the Global Support Contract placed in 2019, OCCAR-EA introduced a performance-based scheme to enhance HAD-F fleet availability. To support the management of In-service activities, OCCAR-EA uses a dedicated in-house developed Logistic Information System connecting users, industry and the agency to enhance the share of information between stakeholders (Queries and technical events…). 

Training

Since 2003, with the same philosophy than for the Helicopter fleet, France and Germany apply a common strategy for Air Crew and Maintenance Crew training, with the French-German TIGER Aircrew Training School (Le Luc Base in France) and the French-German TIGER Mechanics Training School (Faβberg Base in Germany). Developed and maintained under OCCAR-EA responsibility, the TIGER Maintenance Trainer (TMT) is operated in Faβberg while the Tiger Aircrew Training Means (TATM) is operated in le Luc and the operating bases. Tailored to Spanish specific requirements, the Spanish TIGER Simulator System (STSS) has been developed and is upgraded under OCCAR-EA management. 

• TIGER Aircrew Training Means (TATM)

The TIGER Aircrew Training Means (TATM) contains 10 Full Mission Simulators (FMS) and 10 Cockpit Procedure Trainers (CPT). These simulators are able to perform the complete flight envelope of the helicopter, from standard to emergency procedures, including firing and scout missions. Simulators are linked via High Level Architecture and can fly together, even if the locations are hundreds of kilometers away from the other. On French side, TATM offers the possibility to be connected to EDITH simulator to play scenarios with other types of helicopters. As a key asset for operational readiness, the TATM is providing around 9.000 flight hours/year. 

• Spanish TIGER Simulator System (STSS)

The Spanish TIGER Simulator System (STSS) consists of a full mission simulator installed on a 6 axes motion platform and a fixed-base simulator. Each simulator is equipped with two separate stations to train either a single individual or the two crew members of the helicopter simultaneously. The STSS incorporates the helicopter’s avionic systems and operational software, allowing the system to be kept up to date in conjunction with the Helicopter upgrades. The system can join other simulators and play scenarios with other types of helicopters (Chinook, Cougar….). Operated in Almagro, the STSS is maintained under Spanish national contract.

• TIGER Maintenance

Trainer Operated in Faβberg for both French and German Maintenance officers, the TIGER Maintenance Trainer (TMT) is a “virtual maintenance trainer” based on software simulation together with Cockpit and Front Fuselage Replicas.

The TMT enables the technicians to quickly acquire a wide range of maintenance skills on the Tiger Helicopter by carrying out operations on a virtual equipment, from initial knowledge to complex troubleshooting procedures, thus reducing training costs and preventing risks to in-service helicopters or operators.