Eurocopter has awarded Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control a contract of undisclosed value to support the integration of the AGM-114 Hellfire II air-to-surface missile and M299 launcher with the multirole HAD version of its Tiger attack helicopter.
The HAD variant is now in development for delivery to the French army and export buyer Spain, which last month received its first three Tigers in the earlier HAP escort configuration now in French service. Madrid's first 18 Tigers are to undergo retrofit to the HAD standard, with a further six to be manufactured in the advanced configuration.
Lockheed says the integration work will take 54 months to complete, with ground tests to start at Eurocopter's Marignane site in France during October and first flight tests to occur in March 2008. The Hellfire missile has already been integrated with the Tiger for the Australian army.
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Source: Flight International
