Germany Readies Tiger, NH90 For Deployment

Jun 22, 2011 By Robert Wall AviationWeek.com

LE BOURGET - The German government this week signed a contract to equip 12 NH90s with a medical evacuation kit and also wants to bolster the Tiger attack helicopter.

The moves are intended to ready the two helicopter types for a potential deployment to Afghanistan. Although there are questions about whether Germany will make a political decision to deploy the Tiger, preparations are moving forward.

Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling says the emergency medical pallets also will allow wounded troops to receive medical attention, rather than just providing litters.

The Tiger upgrade, called Asgard, provides additional active and passive protection. Furthermore, the Tiger will be equipped with more radios to integrate it for operations with U.S. and NATO forces.

The helos also will feature special lighting to allow close formation flight at night.

Another recent Tiger development is the re-baselining of the “HAD” development effort. Bertling notes that the delay was linked to the MTR390E engine, and that Eurocopter has received compensation for the delay.

According to the company, the HAD version is based on the Tiger HAP and revolves around a more powerful engine, an IFF interrogation function, a new ballistic protection, as well as Spike and Hellfire air-to ground missile capability. It is being developed for France and Spain.

Meanwhile, Bertling is closely watching developments in the U.S. Air Force Common Vertical Lift Support Program. “We will only enter the race if there is a fair chance to win,” he says. That view has been conveyed to the Pentagon out of concern the request for proposals could be favoring the Sikorsky Black Hawk.