OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) has commissioned Airbus Helicopters, on behalf of the French, German and Spanish armament agencies DGA, BAAINBw and DGAM, to perform de-risking studies aimed at providing the Tiger 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.
As ADM reported in July, the Tiger helicopter has had a troubled past in Australian service, although it was still in the developmental stage when it was brought into service and has seen significant improvements as a result of efforts by Airbus and CASG.
Yet the future of the platform in Australia is uncertain. A replacement program is due in the middle of the next decade.
“We are proud to be preparing the future of the Tiger as it represents a major program for the European Defense cooperation initiative," Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters said. “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.”
178 Tigers in total have been delivered to France, Germany, Spain and Australia.