TIGER was recently announced as the aircraft to advance to the next stage of Project AIR87.

In making the announcement, Minister for Defence Peter Reith said Eurocopter had offered the French/German Tiger to meet Australia's requirements for an armed reconnaissance helicopter.

"The Tiger will be equipped with leading-edge technology in its sensors, data links and communications and will provide a major new capability for the Army," Mr Reith said.

Weapon Systems  (for the French and German variants)  30mm cannon          450 rounds (capacity) 750 rounds per minute high lethality to 1200m +/- 90deg azimuth -30/+33deg elevation  68mm sub-munitions rockets   up to 68 rockets in 4 pods 5 types of warhead engagement up to 7000m  MISTRAL air-to-air missiles   6km range  STINGER air-to-air missile   5km range  TRIGAT/HOT 3 anti-tank sub-systems   5km range fire and forget   Although Tiger offers a wide range of weapon systems including numerous rocket and missile options, the full range of systems is not currently on the Australian shopping list.

"Tiger will transform Army's ability to conduct tactical reconnaissance by day or night and provide a vital capability to escort and protect our Black Hawk helicopters as they transport troops and supplies."

Project AIR87 will acquire 22 Eurocopter Tigers and associated systems to equip 161 and 162 Recce Sqns of 1 Avn Regt and the Army Aviation Training Centre.

The first of the Tigers are scheduled to enter service at the end of 2004.

Tiger is based on the Franco/German Tigre and features a full reconnaissance sensor suite with day/night/adverse-weather capability and the ability to employ both non-guided and precision-guided munitions.

Because Tiger is fitted with leading-edge technology in its sensors, data links, communications and numerous other advanced systems, it will provide a major new capability for the Australian Army.

Tabulated Data Airframe          Carbon composite materials Main Rotor   Hingeless elastomeric hub 13m diameter 4 blades Main Gearbox   8 modules design requirement to run 30 minutes without oil (has achieved 50 minutes) Engines   2 MTU Turbomeca R.R. MTR390 1285shp each weigh less than 170kg each Left hand engine APU function Speed   145 to 155 knots depending on configuration Mission endurance   2hrs 50min including reserve Ferry range   1300km with ferry tanks Weight   5300 to 5925kg depending on configuration

Tiger's primary missions will exploit its inherent capabilities in reconnaissance and the delivery of precision firepower, while support-related activities will leverage off the its utility for surveillance and command and control support.

It will greatly enhance both the reconnaissance and fire-support capabilities of Army Aviation, operating by day or night, and will provide a vital capability to escort and protect other air assets - and all from a single helicopter.

Mr Reith said Eurocopter had proposed that assembly and deeper maintenance of the new helicopter would be carried out in Queensland.

"This project will give Australia a new level of industry capability for the maintenance and support of leading-edge technology.

"Importantly, some components produced in Australia will be exported giving Australia entry to the worldwide supply chain for Eurocopter."

Eurocopter's Australian Tiger assembly and support facilities will be established in south east Queensland at either Brisbane or Oakey while pilot and maintenance-personnel training, covered under the proposal, will also be conducted in Australia.

By Sgt Brian Hartigan