Tiger skies
CA accepts ARH into Army service on time

By David Edlington

THE delivery of the first two Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters represents a profound new direction for Army.

The Tigers, equipped with sophisticated sensor and weapons systems, are an important element in the hardening of the Army, according to CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy.

The two Eurocopter ARHs were handed over to the Army in a ceremony at Oakey on December 15. Lt- Gen Leahy said they were “on time, on budget, looking good and flying – we can’t ask more than that”. They are the vanguard of an eventual fleet of 22 to be acquired under Project AIR87 at a cost of $1.3 billion.

The Tigers will replace the Vietnam War-era Kiowas and Iroquois. They will be operated by 1 Avn Regt’s 161 and 162 Recce Sqns, based in Townsville, Darwin and Oakey.

Lt-Gen Leahy said the aircraft were a “huge leap forward” because of their “speed, agility and ability to manoeuvre, detect and engage targets at long distance, and also to coordinate and control all aspects of the combined arms team”.

“Over a period of years we will develop our full understanding, not only within aviation, but within Army, of the true fighting qualities of this helicopter,” he said. “We’ll integrate it into a combined arms team ... to make a full contribution to a hardened and networked army.”

He said the introduction of the ARH means we’ll be much more effective on the battlefield”.

The ARH’s rocket and cannon systems will soon undergo final acceptance testing in France – where Eurocopter is based. Its Hellfire missiles are also scheduled for testing at Woomera towards mid-year.

Training for flying and ground crews in Australia will begin soon. A methodical preparation is planned for the aircraft, its crews and maintainers.

“I envisage that 2005 will be the year in which Army grasps the basics of the ARH,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.

“The development of such a sophisticated integrated capability can’t occur overnight and we’re not expecting to do that. We’re going to take our time and we’re going to do this properly.”

Eurocopter will deliver two more Tigers that are currently in the final stage of European-based testing. The Army’s remaining ARHs will be assembled by Aerosopace Australia in Brisbane. The first of these rolled off the production line in late December and is undergoing flight tests.

The Army will have seven Tigers in service by year’s end.