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TIGER In-Service Support Concept

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.