Eurocopter Tiger / Tigre
1991 · Twin-engine intermediate turbine helicopter
The Eurocopter EC665 Tiger was a joint venture by MBB and Aerospatiale launched in 1984.
Due high costs, the program was cancelled in 1986 but was relaunched during 1987 and 5 prototypes were built. First flight took place April 27, 1991. New setbacks delayed serial production to March 2002 with both France and Germany each ordering 80 aircraft. As of 2010 less than 30 of these were delivered.
Australia and Spain joined the programme providing benefits to their local industries.
In 2009, they flew their first combat mission when three french Tigres where deployed to Afghanistan. In 2011 they saw action again when they were used against Libya
From 2014 marketed by Airbus Helicopters
As of August 2015, more than 120 Tiger of all variants have been delivered to four nations accumulating more than 68,000 flying hours.
As of December 2017, Tiger fleet flying with France, Germany, Spain and Australia logged over 92,000 flight hours.
As of April 2019, 181 Tigers of all variants have been delivered to the 4 nations and accumulated over 115,000 flight hours.
Australia and Spain joined the programme providing benefits to their local industries.
In 2009, they flew their first combat mission when three french Tigres where deployed to Afghanistan. In 2011 they saw action again when they were used against Libya
From 2014 marketed by Airbus Helicopters
As of August 2015, more than 120 Tiger of all variants have been delivered to four nations accumulating more than 68,000 flying hours.
As of December 2017, Tiger fleet flying with France, Germany, Spain and Australia logged over 92,000 flight hours.
As of April 2019, 181 Tigers of all variants have been delivered to the 4 nations and accumulated over 115,000 flight hours.
Specifications
| Engine | 2 x MTU MTR390 1170 shp |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 |
| Length (m) | 14.08 |
| Height (m) | 3.83 |
| Blades | 4 |
| Rotor diam. (m) | 13 |
| Disc area (m2) | 133 |
| Weight (kgs) | Empty: 3050 Max: 6000 |
| Speed (km/h) | Max: 300 |
| Range (km) | 800 |
| Ceiling (m) | 4000 |
| Rate/Climb (m/min) | 641 |
Derivatives & Versions
| Tiger ARH | The Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) is the version ordered by the Australian Army based on the Eurocopter Tigre HAP and to be assembled locally by Australian Aerospace In December 2001 Eurocopter was awarded the contract for the Australian Army’s Air 87 requirement for 22 helicopters. | |
| Tigre HAP | The Tigre (Tiger) Hélicoptère d'Appui Protection (HAP, french for Support and Escort Helicopter ) is the air-to-air combat and fire support variant built for the French Army. | |
| UH Tiger | The Unterstützungshubschrauber Tiger (UTH, german for Support Helicopter Tiger ) is the multi-role fire support variant for the German Army also known as the PAH-2. | |
| Tigre HAD | 2007 | The Tigre (Tiger) Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction (HAD, french for Support and Attack Helicopter ) is basically an improved HAP with more engine power, better ballistic protection and also capable of carrying Hellfire or Spike anti-tank missiles. |
| → Tiger Mk3 | 2025 | First announced in 2016, the Tiger Mk3 is a proposed further upgrade of the French Tigre HAD and German Tiger UHT involving Airbus, Thales, Safran anda Indra. |