Australia's first 2 Tiger ARH helo's delivered.

[Aussie Digger]

ARMY’S TIGER ARMED RECONNAISSANCE HELICOPTERS ARRIVE

The Army has taken delivery of the first of 22 state of the art Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters at a ceremony at Oakey in Queensland, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.

"The delivery of the first two Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) to the Australian Army represents a significant milestone in the development of the Army Aviation capability and to the Australian Defence Force," Senator Hill said.

"The Tiger ARH is equipped with leading edge technology in its sensors, data links and communications and provide a major new capability for Army. Fitted with Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets and cannons, the heavily armed Tiger ARH will significantly enhance the reconnaissance and firepower capabilities of the Army combined arms team, which will also be augmented soon by the Abrams Main Battle Tank.

"The Tigers’ flexibility, ability to deploy at short notice and to operate in diverse circumstances represents a revolution in the Australian Army's operational versatility. The Army will be able to conduct tactical reconnaissance and escort and protect our Black Hawk helicopters as they transport troops and supplies."

Today’s ceremony was attended by the Industry Minister and Member for Groom, Ian Macfarlane, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Teresa Gambaro.

Senator Hill praised the work of the Defence Materiel Organisation and Australian Aerospace for their outstanding work in delivering the helicopters to the Army.

"The contract schedule was very demanding, culminating in the successful delivery of the first two Tigers today, on schedule and on budget," Senator Hill said.

"Australian Aerospace and the Commonwealth have worked cooperatively to meet this demanding schedule, in a manner that establishes the benchmark for successful Defence Materiel business standards in the future.

"The new Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Dr Stephen Gumley, and his counterpart at Australian Aerospace, Mr Joseph Saporito, should be congratulated.

"Project success would not have been possible without the assistance of the French and German Governments. The ARH is following after the Tiger variants of both nations. French and German armament and certification agencies extended considerable resources and effort to Australia in order for the project to succeed by today."

The first four ARH are being assembled at Eurocopter in France. Additionally, Thales in France is assembling the ARH Aircrew simulators. The remaining 18 ARH are being assembled at the Australian Aerospace production facility at Brisbane

Here's the happy snaps...



















A few other similar photo's are obtainable from www.defence.gov.au

Not bad eh?

[Pathfinder-X]

Hah love this attack chopper! If my whacked out brain is remembering correctly Australia ordered 22 units for its army. Also production will be undertaken by Australian Aerospace which is a sub-division of Eurocopter. All deliveries will be completed by 2008.

The Australian ARH has an improved engine and laser designator to support Hellfire missiles. But the delivery was sooner than I expected, I originally thought it won't be delivered until 2005.

[Red aRRow]

The assembly line of the Australian Aerospace production facility at Brisbane Airport.

[Revival_786]

Wow, these heli's are beauties Congrats to Aussies!

How would this attack heli compare to the Apache?

[Aussie Digger]

Well the Australian Army rated the Longbow version of the AH-64Dwith Longbow radar fitted) as more capable than the Tiger, but also vastly more expensive. I think the Tiger would be more capable than the non Longbow equipped AH64D due to it being a newer design and fitted with newer sensor packages etc.

The Tiger was definitely seen as greater capability for less cost than any other attack helo in the world... It has about the same firepower capability as the Apache, but was seen as being more capable in a recon role, than the Apache, but still possessing a good attack capability.

Your "whacked out brain" is quite correct pathfinder. We will be getting 22 (unless follow-on orders eventuate) Tiger ARH's. All but the first 4 are to be assembled and tested in Australia. Eurcopter has done exceptionally well so far, delivering the first 2 examples spot on 3 years after contract signature, just as it said it would... (This I think played a huge part in Eurocopter's recent NH-90 win in Australia...)

Also unusual for an Australia defence contract recently, the project has to- date been delivered "on time and on budget" to quote the politicians with no major technical difficulties (such as those encountered by the Collins Subs ad Sea Sprite Helo's)...