The first export customer for the Eurocopter Tiger - Australia - received its first two of 22 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) versions from Brisbane-based Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace last month. Two more of the Marignane-built aircraft will be delivered early this year after completing certification and training activities in France.
Acquired under the Australian army's Air 87 programme, the first two aircraft were accepted into service in Oakey, Queensland on 15 December. The first of 18 Australian Aerospace-assembled ARHs will also be handed over in early 2005, with a further six aircraft now in preparation, assembly and test in Australia.
The Tiger ARH is scheduled to receive Australian military certification later this year.
Spain is also close to receiving its first of 24 Tigers, with the Spanish army to accept an initial six in the HAP escort configuration in 2005-6. Under an agreement inked last month, the Spanish and French defence ministries are to fund the development of a planned multirole HAD Tiger, deliveries of which will begin late this decade. Approved on 8 December, the agreement involves Europe's OCCAR arms procurement agency, Indra, Sagem and the formative MTRI joint venture between engine producers ITP, MTU, Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca.
A key element of the HAD programme is MTRI's development of the enhanced MTR390-E engine, which will produce 14% more power than the Tiger's baseline MTR390s. First production examples are scheduled for delivery in 2009, with earlier engines also likely to undergo upgrade to the 390-E standard. Spain will take delivery of 18 HAD-standard aircraft from 2010-14, with its six HAP platforms to be modified to the same configuration from 2013. France will receive 40 HAD Tigers and could also upgrade its first 40 HAP aircraft to the same standard.
CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
