Airbus to Conduct De-Risking Studies for Next-Generation Capabilities

On 27 September Airbus Helicopters announced that OCCAR – the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement /Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation – has commissioned the company, on behalf of the French, German and Spanish armament agencies, to perform de-risking studies aimed at providing the TIGER Mk III helicopter with next-generation battlefield capabilities. The main objective is to prepare the development and retrofit phases of the new avionics, mission, and weapon systems of the TIGER. Thales and MBDA will also take part in the studies.

To date, 178 TIGERs have been delivered to France, Germany, Spain and Australia, accumulating over 110,000 flight hours in aggregate. First deployed by the French Army in Afghanistan in 2009, the TIGER continues to demonstrate its essential role in operational theatres as a highly versatile, stealthy, and manoeuvrable attack helicopter.

“We are proud to be preparing the future of the TIGER as it represents a major programme for the European defence cooperation initiative,”commented Airbus Helicopters CEO, Bruno Even. “The de-risking studies will ensure that France, Germany and Spain will be able to decide on implementing the additional operational capabilities for their TIGER helicopters.”