Airbus Helicopters
Tiger
The Eurocopter Tiger, now produced by Airbus Helicopters, is a twin‑engine attack helicopter that entered service in the early 2000s. Development began in the 1980s as a joint Franco‑German project to replace aging battlefield helicopters with a highly maneuverable, survivable platform. First flight occurred in 1991, and the type achieved initial operational capability in 2003 with the French Army, followed shortly by the German Luftwaffe and later export customers such as Spain and Australia.
Key features include a carbon‑fiber and titanium airframe, FADEC‑controlled twin Turbomeca engines, and a glass cockpit with multifunction displays. The Tiger can carry a mix of missiles, rockets, a 30 mm cannon and advanced targeting pods, while its integrated defensive aid suite provides infrared, laser and radar warning, chaff and flare dispensers, and electronic counter‑measures. Its flight‑control system offers fly‑by‑wire stability augmentation, enabling precise low‑altitude maneuvers and “nap-of‑the-earth” flight.
The aircraft’s significance lies in its blend of agility, firepower and survivability, setting a new standard for modern attack helicopters. It has influenced subsequent designs and demonstrates Europe’s capability to produce a combat‑ready rotorcraft for joint NATO operations.
Key features include a carbon‑fiber and titanium airframe, FADEC‑controlled twin Turbomeca engines, and a glass cockpit with multifunction displays. The Tiger can carry a mix of missiles, rockets, a 30 mm cannon and advanced targeting pods, while its integrated defensive aid suite provides infrared, laser and radar warning, chaff and flare dispensers, and electronic counter‑measures. Its flight‑control system offers fly‑by‑wire stability augmentation, enabling precise low‑altitude maneuvers and “nap-of‑the-earth” flight.
The aircraft’s significance lies in its blend of agility, firepower and survivability, setting a new standard for modern attack helicopters. It has influenced subsequent designs and demonstrates Europe’s capability to produce a combat‑ready rotorcraft for joint NATO operations.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 206
- First Flight
- 1991
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Airbus Helicopters
- Operator
-
Spanish Army Airmobile Force Australia
- Wikidata ID
- Q159601