Regarded as the European equivalent of the American AH-64 Apache, this military helicopter is preparing for a significant modernization initiative in which Safran will provide a critical component: a new and enhanced “sight.”Decades have passed since the Tiger project, which was initiated with the backing of the German and French administrations.
The inaugural sortie of the Tiger prototype took place in 1991; however, its operational deployment commenced in 2007 with the light aviation division of the French army. Amid the fact that four armies (France, Germany, Spain, and Australia) were presently operating 180 Tiger helicopters, the occasion arose for a comprehensive overhaul referred to technically as a “mid-life modernization.”
Safran Electronics & Defense was awarded a contract by the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to supply Euroflir 510 sights as a component of a broader modernization initiative. The ultimate objective is to standardize all French Tigers as HAD (support and destruction), which stands for “support and destruction.” Prior to this development, HAD was one of four available standard production variants.
The existing Strix sight, which was also manufactured by Safran and furnished the Tiger with a daylight camera, a thermal imager, and a laser designator, will be substituted with the Euroflir 510. Specifically engineered to operate with optimal efficiency despite low visibility conditions, the Euroflir 510 enables the Tiger to perform at the same level throughout the day and night.
The primary characteristics of this optronics system comprise a lengthy focal length multi-spectral telescope, twelve sensors that do not consume an excessive amount of the helicopter’s volume, and four distinct types of lasers. Additionally, the Euroflir 510 offers digital video feeds in full resolution and what Safran calls “high-performance” line-of-sight stabilization. Subsequently, future Tiger operators will possess enhanced capabilities to function more effectively amidst adverse conditions and execute remote identification missions of hоstile threats with greater ease.
Beginning in 2027, the helicopters’ existing optronic systems will be progressively substituted with those of the Euroflir 510. This will enhance the Tiger’s capabilities as a light, covert military helicopter (40 percent lighter than the AH-64 Apache) with an extraordinary range (it can travel over 497 miles/800 kilometers at nearly 196 mph/315 kph).