Australian Army gets its first Tigers armed with Hellfire ll

[Elite Brain]

Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 16, 2005)
ORLANDO, Fla. --- The Australian Army has taken delivery of its first two Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters (ARHs), equipped with Lockheed Martin's Hellfire II missiles and M299 "smart" launchers. The helicopters, manufactured by Eurocopter in France, were delivered by its subsidiary Australian Aerospace.

Lockheed Martin and Eurocopter successfully completed a series of launcher and platform integration tests, validating the laser-guided Hellfire II missile and the all-digital M299 launcher system interface with the European helicopter. This paves the way for the ARH to carry the Hellfire II family, and it also allows for potential use of the Hellfire on European versions of the Tiger to be flown in France, Spain and Germany.

The first two Tiger ARHs, equipped with the Lockheed Martin's Hellfire II missile and M299 launcher, were delivered to the Australian Army in December 2004 at a ceremony in Oakey, Australia. The Australian ARH Eurocopter Tiger is derived from the Franco-German Tiger variant. It is armed with 70-mm (2.75-inch) rockets, Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles and a turreted 30-mm gun, as well as an Australia-specific communications and data transmission system.

"Armed with the Hellfire II missile and M299 launcher, the Tiger will be a formidable, lethal deterrent against aggression," said Mark Stenger, director of Air-to-Ground Missile Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando. "In Afghanistan and Iraq, Hellfire not only proved to be superior against buildings, but was also extremely effective against ships, light armor and urban targets."

The Hellfire system will complete qualification on the Australian Tiger ARH-1, with live missile firings currently scheduled for April through September. Upon successful completion of these tests, the Hellfire System on the ARH will be deemed fully qualified and cleared for use in operational missions.

"The M299 launcher gives the Australian ARH and other attack helicopters the ability to engage a wide range of targets in a single sortie," continued Stenger. "The M299 guided missile launcher, an integral part of the Hellfire II missile system, is capable of launching any mix of Hellfire II and Longbow Hellfire missiles. The 'smart' launcher can be integrated with multiple platforms, and its digital design minimizes system weight, complexity, power usage and support requirements."

Hellfire II missiles have been used in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), with more than 650 rounds fired to date. At one point, the Lockheed Martin Hellfire team was asked to accelerate delivery of additional rounds to support the war effort.

With more than 18,000 rounds produced for the U.S. and 14 international customers, Hellfire has been successfully integrated with every leading attack helicopter in the U.S. and many Allied fleets. It is approved for international sales both through the foreign military sales system and direct commercial sales.
The Hellfire II missile is produced at Lockheed Martin's award-winning manufacturing plants in Ocala, FL (seeker electronics), and Troy, AL (missile final assembly).

Lockheed Martin also supplies the U.S. Army and international customers with the M299 launcher. The launcher airframe is provided by Marvin Engineering of Inglewood, CA, as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin. The launcher electronics unit, which can easily adapt the launcher to interface with multiple rotary-wing platforms, is provided by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL, with production of electronic components in Ocala, FL.

 

[Aussie Digger]

I saw this article released today and was a bit surprised by it. The 2 Tiger ARH's the Australian Army has received to date were delivered back in December. They have even already commenced live firing trials, in addition to other training and doctrine development operations. Why are they now say the Australian Army has received it now? The M299 Launcher and Hellfire II were also delivered in December. I just don't understand what the big deal is now...

 

[webmaster]

Always provide link when you post articles:

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_002403.shtml

 

[Attila]

Slow news day?

I've found that sometimes people just won't care what a countries small acquisitions are (not that this is small, by any means) and that sometimes they'll only announce major deals.

Also, remember that the Press Release is from Lockheed Martin...so maybe they just wanted to ensure that all info was accurate given the sticky climate in the US lately...?

Attila

 

[highsea]

Ah well, knowing Lockmart, it probably took them 5 months to write the press release...

 

[Stryker001]

Source: Australian Defence Department media release.

CPA 180/05 Sunday, 17 July 2005


FIRST AUSTRALIAN BUILT TIGER HELICOPTER DELIVERED


WHAT: First Australian Built Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Acceptance Ceremony

WHEN: 10:00am, Monday 18 July.

WHERE: Australian Aerospace, Pandanus Avenue, Brisbane Airport

WHO: Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill, Major General Ash Power, Commander 1st Division, Brigadier Anthony Fraser, Commander 16th Brigade (Aviation).

MEDIA NOTE: Media are requested to be at Australian Aerospace facility by 9:45.

Monday, 18 July 2005 117/2005

$25 MILLION EXPANSION OF HELICOPTER FACILITY TO PRODUCE NEW HELICOPTERS FOR ADF

The Federal Government will invest $25 million in an expansion of the Australian Aerospace helicopter production facility in Brisbane which is currently producing the new 'Tiger' Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.

Defence Minister Robert Hill made the announcement today coinciding with the delivery and acceptance of the first Australian-made Tiger Helicopter by the Australian Defence Force giving a major boost to Army's capability.

Australian Aerospace has successfully delivered the first of the new generation Tiger Helicopter on time and on budget, and the $25 million expansion of the Brisbane facility will allow the ADF's new MRH 90 Troop Lift Helicopter to also be produced at the Brisbane facility.

Senator Hill said the expansion will also open up opportunities for the production of variants of the NH 90 Helicopter for other regional nations, such as the production of New Zealand's version of the NH 90.

"Defence will this week hold talks with the New Zealand Government to explore opportunities for cooperation on the MRH 90 program, and will strongly encourage New Zealand to use the Brisbane facility to build its troop lift helicopters," Senator Hill said.

"Securing the New Zealand contract would provide mutual benefits to Australia and New Zealand, particularly in relation to through life support."

Australian Aerospace is a subsidiary of Eurocopter and today's acceptance of the Tiger Helicopter is another example of Defence and Australian industry working together to provide new capabilities for the ADF.

"The new Tiger is the most advanced helicopter of its type in the world and will add significant firepower, protection and mobility to the Australian Army providing a capability that Defence has never had before," Senator Hill said.

"Its sensors, data links and state of the art communications provide Army with a significant increase in technology and capability.

"The Tiger's flexibility, ability to deploy at short notice and to operate in diverse circumstances represents an evolution in the Army's operational versatility."

The heavily armed Tiger is fitted with Hellfire missiles, 70 mm rockets and a 30 mm cannon and will significantly enhance the reconnaissance and firepower capabilities of Army's combined arms team, which will soon include the MRH 90 Troop Lift Helicopters and the Abrams Main Battle Tank.

"The Army will now be able to conduct tactical reconnaissance and provide armed escort for troop lift helicopters on air mobile operations," Senator Hill said.

The Army will receive 22 Tiger ARH aircraft, flight and maintenance simulators and through-life support as part of the $1.3 billion project. The first four aircraft were manufactured in France, with the first two delivered in December 2004. The remaining 18 are being built in Brisbane and will be in operation by 2009.

The Australian industry involvement for the Tiger helicopter project is worth approximately $640 million over the life of the aircraft.

Delivery of this helicopter is a significant step for the aerospace industry in Australia that will continue to develop with the assembly of the MRH 90 troop lift helicopters at the Brisbane facility.

The new MRH 90 aircraft will increase Army's troop lift capability by more than half and give the Army the ability to move more soldiers further and faster from our amphibious lift ships.

The multi-role helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, larger cabin capacity, full fly-by-wire flight control system and digital cockpit.

The first MRH 90 helicopter will be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2010.

 

[pepsi]

How many NH90s was NZ planning to possibly get?

I remember reading the figures in press release type things awhile ago, but i can't find them again

 

[knightrider4]

Yeah the hellfire test was some time ago and it wasn't a live round that is still to come, her's some pics of the test no shot of missle fire though. Apologies gentlemen the pics were too big.

 

[Jason_kiwi]

How many NH90s was NZ planning to possibly get?

I remember reading the figures in press release type things awhile ago, but i can't find them again

They were planning to get 12.

 

[nz enthusiast]

There have been no number confirmation for the NH-90 yet. All they have done is shown the Nh-90, made sure its capadable with the MRV, and they have tried to budget for it ($500million). I imagine it will be a while before they confirm Nh-90 numbers, they still have to decide the replacement for the sioux, whcih could affect the purchase of Nh-90s. I think that they should go for 12 though, at least (actually flying).

very nice to see Australia getting eurocopter tigers, i think they look hideous but they will do their job. Are they looking to aquire the JCM at any stage?

 

[Jason_kiwi]

12 would be ideal
here are some calculations,
with the uh-1's taking 5 each, we had 14 UH-1s so that means in all they can transport 70 personal.
if we get 12 new NH90's that can transport 20 people that means in all they can transport 240 personal.
Quite a significant lift of personal compared to the old UH-1's

 

[Aussie Digger]

Are they looking to aquire the JCM at any stage?

Maybe, but we've only just got the Hellfire in service. I think it'd probably be 10 years or so before we went to JCM. In other Hellfire news, the RAN is apparently investigating the likelyhood (ie: financial wise) of whether it can equip it's Sea Hawk's and Sea Sprites with Hellfire missiles.

Apparently all the Sea Hawk and Seasprites require is a laser designator and the appropriate rails. Their other systems are already "setup" to operate Hellfire type missiles. this would be an excellent capability boost for the RAN IMHO. Let's hope it pans out...

 

[Jason_kiwi]

Hellfire missiles are very capable and I think they are a good purchase for OZ. Has Australia ever had a gunship befor?

 

[Aussie Digger]

We used to operate 12 Iroquois gunships armed with 2.75inch folding fin aerial rockets (FFAR), 7.62mm "mini-guns" and M-60 machine guns, however this was a pretty basic capability and was a left over from Vietnam. The Tiger is the first "true" gunship Australia has ever operated and the first Army helicopter with a missile firing capability.

 

[Jason_kiwi]

thanks for that. I do wish NZ got 8 Tigers.

 

[Jezza]

Australian Army Scores a Bulls-Eye With First Hellfire II Launched From a Tiger

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Aug. 9, 2005)
http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_002891.php
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/images/spacer.gif
ORLANDO: Lockheed Martin and Eurocopter have completed a successful live firing of the Hellfire II missile from Australia's Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH), verifying the weapon's integration with the aircraft. The Tiger is the first non-U.S. platform to integrate the Hellfire II missile.

The first of six firings paves the way for the ARH to carry the Hellfire II family of missiles, and provides an opportunity for European versions of the Tiger, now flown in France, Spain and Germany, to utilize the Hellfire missile and realize the benefit the weapon system provides.

"The new Tiger is the most advanced helicopter of its type in the world and will be a huge boost to our Army's capability," said Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill in a statement on the Australian Ministry of Defence web site. "We never have had a helicopter with this sort of capability -- including a 30mm cannon, rockets and Hellfire missiles."

The Australian Army performed the first successful firing of a Hellfire II missile equipped with an inert warhead from the ARH at the Woomera test range in Australia's southern desert. A team representing the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA), Australian Aerospace, Eurocopter, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army witnessed the milestone event.

The missile was launched in the lock-on-before-launch mode by a Eurocopter test pilot, targeting a simulated armored personnel carrier (APC) target six kilometers downrange. The target was designated by the launching ARH helicopter. The missile struck dead center, leaving a gaping hole in the target.

"This test demonstrated Hellfire's precision-point accuracy against an armored target," said Jim Gribschaw, director of Air-to-Ground Missile Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Hellfire will give Australian Tiger pilots the firepower they need to prevail in the defining moments of battle."

An additional round of five firings is planned for later this year to complete ARH certification. Upon successful completion of these tests, the Hellfire system on the ARH will be fully qualified and cleared for use in operational missions.

Previously, Lockheed Martin and Eurocopter successfully completed a series of launcher and platform integration tests, validating the interface of the precision-strike semi-active laser-guided Hellfire II missile and the all- digital M299 "smart" launcher system with the ARH.

The first two Tiger ARHs, equipped with the Lockheed Martin's Hellfire II missile and M299 launcher, were delivered to the Australian Army in 2004. The Australian ARH Eurocopter Tiger is derived from the Franco-German Tiger variant. It is armed with 70mm (2.75-inch) rockets, Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles and a turreted 30mm gun, as well as an Australia-specific communications and data transmission system.

Hellfire II includes four variations: the high-explosive anti-tank missile (AGM-114K), which defeats all known and projected armored threats; the blast fragmentation missile (AGM-114M), which defeats "soft" targets such as buildings, bunkers, light-armored vehicles and caves; the millimeter-wave (MMW) radar Longbow Hellfire (AGM-114L), which provides fire-and-forget and adverse weather capability; and the "thermobaric" Hellfire (AGM-114N), with a metal augmented charge (MAC) warhead, which is devastating against enclosed structures but minimizes collateral damage. All Hellfire II variants have been used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), with more than 1,000 missiles fired to date.

With more than 18,000 missiles produced for the U.S. and 14 international customers, Hellfire has been successfully integrated with every leading attack helicopter in the U.S. and many Allied fleets. Availability of specific Hellfire variants for export is contingent upon U.S. Statement Department licensing.

The Hellfire II missile is produced at Lockheed Martin's advanced- technology manufacturing plants in Ocala, FL (seeker electronics), and Troy, AL (missile final assembly).

Lockheed Martin also supplies the U.S. Army and international customers with the M299 launcher, which can fire any combination of the Hellfire II variants. The launcher airframe is provided by Marvin Engineering of Inglewood, CA, as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin. The launcher electronics unit, which can easily adapt the launcher to interface with multiple rotary-wing platforms, is provided by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, with production of electronic components in Ocala.


Excellent develpment for AUS

 

[seantheaussie]

Re: Australian Army Scores a Bulls-Eye With First Hellfire II Launched From a Tiger

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Aug. 9, 2005)
http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_002891.php

ORLANDO: Lockheed Martin and Eurocopter have completed a successful live firing of the Hellfire II missile from Australia's Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH), verifying the weapon's integration with the aircraft. The Tiger is the first non-U.S. platform to integrate the Hellfire II missile.

The first of six firings paves the way for the ARH to carry the Hellfire II family of missiles, and provides an opportunity for European versions of the Tiger, now flown in France, Spain and Germany, to utilize the Hellfire missile and realize the benefit the weapon system provides.

If Australia paid for the integration we should get a % of any sales of hellfire to other tiger users although going by wedgetail I bet we won't.

 

[rossfrb_1]

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/pub...e_II_Missile_on_Tiger_Helicopter100012162.php

"
Integration of the Hellfire II Missile on Tiger Helicopter
Lockheed Martin | Jun 6, 2007
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ORLANDO, FL: Lockheed Martin has been awarded a direct commercial sale contract by Eurocopter to support integration of the Hellfire II precision-strike missile and all-digital M299 “smart” missile launcher on the Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction (HAD) Tiger attack helicopter. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 54-month integration effort includes training missiles, inert missiles, 80 M299 missile launchers and test equipment. Under provisions of the contract, integration activities will occur at the Eurocopter facility in Marignane, France, with ground tests beginning in October 2007 and flight tests in March 2008. Eurocopter awarded the contract to Lockheed Martin in support of its HAD Tiger integration contract with the multi-national European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation.

“Integrating the semi-active laser guided Hellfire II missile and M299 missile launcher on the HAD Tiger attack helicopter will provide our European allies increased versatility and lethality to defend their interests at home and abroad,” said Andy Marshall, international program manager for Air-to-Ground Missile Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We’re committed to working with Eurocopter to ensure a smooth and successful integration effort.”

Hellfire II is already successfully integrated and qualified on the Australian Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger helicopter. In a comprehensive flight test program at Woomera Testing Range in South Australia, from May to December 2005, Hellfire was 7-for-7 over a wide spectrum of engagement scenarios. In August 2006, France’s Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) launched Hellfire from an Australian Tiger at the Woomera Range. The first-time gunner, a French pilot, employing a lock-on-before-launch technique, scored a direct hit with the Hellfire II missile on a target six kilometers away.

“These test firings and successful target engagements illustrated the ease of training a Hellfire gunner and further demonstrated the reliability and mission success of the Hellfire missile and its M299 ‘smart’ launcher,” Marshall added. “Together, Hellfire II and the M299 give the Tiger a capability that no other air-to-ground missile can match.”

Hellfire II is fielded to the U.S. Armed Forces and the armed forces of 14 other nations by Hellfire Systems, Limited Liability Company (HSLLC). Lockheed Martin performs all of the work scope on behalf of HSLLC.

The Hellfire II family includes three warhead variations to defeat a broad target set – (1) the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) missile, or AGM-114K, which defeats all known and projected armored threats; (2) the AGM-114M blast fragmentation missile, which defeats “soft” targets such as boats, buildings, bunkers and light-armored vehicles; and (3) the metal augmented charge (MAC) missile, or AGM-114N, which defeats enclosures, caves and enemy personnel housed therein – all with minimal collateral damage.

“These three variants, along with Hellfire’s precision-strike capability, will enable Tiger pilots to apply lethal force to a wide range of targets, with minimal collateral damage,” Marshall said.

Additionally, the Hellfire II family includes the Longbow Hellfire (AGM-114L). Equipped with a HEAT warhead, the Longbow Hellfire has a millimeter-wave radar seeker for true fire-and-forget and adverse-weather capability.

Hellfire II has been launched from a wide array of platforms, including the U.S. Army’s Apache (AH-64A and AH-64D), the U.S. Marine Corps’ Cobra (AH-1W and AH-1Z), and the UK’s Apache (AH MK1) attack helicopters; the U.S. Navy’s Seahawk armed reconnaissance helicopter (SH-70B); the U.S. Army’s Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter (OH-58D); and the U.S. Air Force’s Predator unmanned aerial vehicle.

With more than 21,000 rounds delivered – 3,000 of those expended in the Global War on Terrorism – Hellfire II is licensed for international sales, via government-to-government or direct commercial sales contracts.

The M299 launcher weighs 145 pounds and supports four Hellfire II or Longbow Hellfire missiles. Its ability to fire multiple missile variants in any sequence provides maximum operational flexibility on the battlefield.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. "


I don't know, but I'm presuming that Australia would have paid for the integration of the Hellfire II with the Tiger ARH.
If anyone is allowed to say for sure, one way or the other, I for one would be curious to know.
Does anyone know if any of the intellectual property or whatever developed during that integration is owned by any Australian company/ADF/government?

rb

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

I heard a while back that if the same technice used by the ADF was used by a foregin customer to use the hellfire we would indeed be elligable for royalties, if this is indeed enforcable. Is there an international patent office?????