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Tiger helicopter. Foreign combat, attack and attack helicopters. Who's who

The PAH-2 Tiger helicopter was developed by the Eurocopter consortium, which includes the German company MBB and the French Aerospatiale. According to the agreement adopted in 1987 by representatives of Germany and France, the development of two versions of a combat helicopter was carried out - an anti-tank helicopter, common for both countries and called PAH-2 in Germany, and HAC in France, and an escort and fire support helicopter only for France, called HAP. First flight prototype helicopter PAH-2 took place on April 27, 1991.

A feature of the PAH-2 combat helicopter is: the ability to perform combat missions around the clock and in difficult weather conditions, high maneuverability, combat survivability and operational manufacturability, high quality new level automation of control of on-board systems and weapons, as well as the widespread use of composite materials.

All variants of the PAH-2 helicopter are based on a single basic design (fuselage, engines, hydraulic, fuel and electrical systems, etc.), as well as on a modular design of special equipment. The basic design is based on a single-rotor helicopter with a tail rotor, two gas turbine engines and a three-post landing gear with a tail wheel.

The PAH-2 helicopter has an aircraft-type fuselage made of approximately 80% composite materials, which not only reduces the weight of the helicopter structure, but also helps reduce cost life cycle and labor intensity of operation. In the front part of the fuselage there are cockpits for the pilot and pilot-operator arranged in a tandem configuration. The pilot's cabin is located in front, and the pilot-operator's cabin is behind and slightly higher. The main controls are duplicated and located in both cockpits, so that, if necessary, the pilot operator can take control of the helicopter. The design of the fuselage as a whole and the landing gear are made taking into account the requirements for safe damage to structures and systems. To ensure the safety of the crew in the event emergency landing in the lower part of the fuselage there are panels with a honeycomb filler that have the ability to absorb kinetic energy. This design ensures a safe landing for the crew with a vertical speed of up to 10.5 m/s. A significant portion of the energy in the event of an emergency landing is also absorbed by the pilot's seats and landing gear.

The PAH-2 helicopter has a wing with a span of 4.5 m, the end parts of which are lowered down. The wing has four hardpoints for weapons or additional fuel tanks. The power plant consists of two MTR 390 turboshaft gas turbine engines with a maximum takeoff power of 958 kW. each. The power plant is controlled by an electronic digital system that provides optimal performance engines in all modes. To reduce the helicopter's visibility in the infrared range, the engine nozzles are equipped with devices for mixing exhaust gases with air. In the event of failure of one of the engines, continuation of the flight is possible by putting the other engine into emergency mode. The total capacity of the fuel tanks is 1360 liters. Fuel tanks are equipped with a system to prevent the explosion of the gas-air mixture in the space above the fuel.

The PAH-2 helicopter is equipped with a four-bladed main rotor and a three-bladed tail rotor. The propeller blades are made of composite materials. All helicopter variants are equipped with reconnaissance and sighting equipment, navigation equipment and control systems that support them combat use day and night, in simple and difficult weather conditions. The sighting system includes: a television camera, an infrared night vision system, a laser rangefinder-target designator and helmet-mounted sights. Targeting and navigation information can be displayed on helmet-mounted indicators, on the windshield and color multi-function liquid crystal displays in the cockpits of crew members.

The armament of anti-tank helicopters should consist of 8 Hot-2 ATGMs or 8 new Trigat ATGMs and 4 Mistral or Stinger air-to-air missiles. Escort and fire support helicopters are armed with a built-in 30mm air cannon on a turret, 68mm unguided rocket launchers and 4 Mistral missiles.

Combat helicopters have long become permanent participants in all more or less noticeable wars and conflicts, and their comparison is part of any decent paramilitary dispute. But the battles around Cold War veterans are long overdue, so today we will compare the Russian Ka-52 and the European Tiger.

...Moreover, ours are going to buy another 114 “52s”.

Who's who

The development of a new generation of Soviet combat helicopter began back in 1976, and on June 17, 1982, the first copy of the B-80, a single-seat coaxial combat helicopter, became known under the designation Ka-50 and the nickname “ Black Shark" By the second half of the 2000s, funding had improved, and the military decided that they preferred the two-seat version of the vehicle, the Ka-52. It was put into mass production. Ka-52 (photo: Anton Petrov)

The European Tiger also began with development in the 1970s, but the car took a long time to get to its first flight. The Tiger flew for the first time only in 1991, and its deliveries to customers began another 10 years later.
Eurocopter Tiger (photo: Mark Broekhans)

Well, let's go.

Flight qualities

The Ka-52 is faster (almost 30 kilometers per hour), noticeably more maneuverable (thanks to the coaxial design) and is in fact the most “flyable” of attack helicopters today. The range of both vehicles is approximately the same - about 400 kilometers. However, the Tiger uses less fuel for this: the internal reserve is 1080 kilograms versus 1487 for the Ka-52. It’s no wonder that the maximum take-off weight is also significantly different: 10,800 kilograms for Kamov versus 6,000 for the Tiger.

Ka-52 - 5
"Tiger" - 4

Vitality and security

Traditionally for domestic combat helicopters, the Ka-52 is well armored: 350 kilograms are used to protect the cabin, the engines and a number of other important components are also protected. But relying on armor alone is no longer fashionable. Helicopters receive the Vitebsk airborne defense system, capable of detecting laser radiation and missile launches. The complex includes an automatic control system, an active jamming station for radars, a protection system against missiles with thermal heads that “blinds” them with a laser spotlight, and traditional fireable “traps.”

If all else fails, both Ka-52 pilots have ejection seats, and the propeller blades are shot off first.

In case of a fall inside the cockpit (if the accident occurred at a low altitude), passive safety equipment absorbs a significant part of the impact energy and preserves the health of the pilots.
Ka-52 (photo: Ivan Savitsky)

A European's booking is noticeably easier. The largest share is occupied by carbon fiber reinforced plastics and Kevlar. The main emphasis is on the reduced visibility of the vehicle in all ranges, as well as on the on-board defense system, which, like the Russian Vitebsk, protects the helicopter from radar, laser and infrared-guided missiles. In addition, the Tiger is additionally protected from electromagnetic pulse(the machine was developed while waiting for a nuclear war in Europe). The Tiger does not have ejection seats, but the cabin and seats are also designed to mitigate the effect of a “hard landing.”

Ka-52 - 4.5
"Tiger" - 4

Firepower

Both helicopters carry a cannon and external weapons. Let's compare. The Ka-52 is armed with a 30-mm belt-fed 2A42 assault rifle, the rate of fire is adjustable in the range of 550-800 rounds per minute, the ammunition includes high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing shells. On the “Tiger” there is also a 30-mm GIAT 30M in the “helicopter” version 781 (featured by reduced muzzle energy and charge power), so that the light helicopter does not “sausage” after each short burst.

Ours didn’t bother - what’s up, 11 tons in a helicopter - and left the characteristics of the gun, originally borrowed from an infantry fighting vehicle, unchanged.

In favor of the French product is a more flexible change in the rate of fire, from 300 to 2500 rounds per minute. Ours has a heavier projectile (almost 400 grams versus 240) and a higher initial speed: 970 meters per second versus 810, which gives higher accuracy and firing range.
Eurocopter Tiger

The basis of the arsenal of any decent anti-tank helicopter (and these are the main tasks for both the Ka-52 and the Tiger) are guided missiles. The “main caliber” of the Ka-52 is the “Whirlwind” - a heavy laser-guided ATGM with a flight range of up to 8 kilometers and a speed of 2,200 kilometers per hour. The missile control system allows the laser beam to be fixed on the target immediately before impact, which dramatically reduces the likelihood of successful countermeasures.

For a European, the main anti-tank system is TRIGAT-LR (no less long-suffering than the helicopter itself - it took almost forty years to develop!). Combined IR/TV guidance system, 7 kilometers range, maximum speed about 1050 kilometers per hour.

Have you been working on this for forty years? We should have taken the Hellfire from the Americans and not disgraced ourselves. The Australians were the first buyers of the Tiger - by the way, they took it.

In addition to anti-tank missiles, both vehicles can carry air-to-air missiles (actually suspended under the console launchers portable air defense systems), unguided missiles and machine gun containers. The total arsenal on the Ka-52 is noticeably larger due to its greater mass: up to 2300 kilograms versus 1500 for the Tiger.

Ka-52 - 4.5
"Tiger" - 3

On-board electronics

Oddly enough, the capabilities of both machines in this part are close. They have developed flight and navigation systems that provide flights in difficult weather conditions and at any time of the day. Both helicopters are equipped with “glass” cockpits with liquid crystal displays, and both have helmet-mounted target designation systems.

Pilots can aim their weapons at targets by turning their heads.

The capabilities of the Ka-52 systems have been tested in combat in Syria. The Tiger has its own campaign - helicopters of this type were used in Mali, but not very successfully. One car was lost in the crash, the pilots were killed. For some reason, the Tigers were not sent to Syria and Iraq. Let's consider this an accident.
Ka-52 cockpit (photo: Vladislav Dmitrenko)

Ka-52 - 4.5
"Tiger" - 4.5

Reliability and ease of maintenance

The serviceability of the Ka-52 fleet is estimated at more than 90 percent. This reliable cars with a proven power plant, and there were no problems with them after a couple of incidents in the first years of operation.

“Tiger” still remains Princess and the Pea, with the park ready at 25-30%.

Failures occur regularly, both in electronic systems the helicopter, and in the mechanical part, which greatly disappoints users. As a result, the Germans and Australians are already looking for replacement options for their “electronic miracle”. The French are holding out for now.
Eurocopter Tiger

Ka-52 - 5
"Tiger" - 3

Price

The cost of the Ka-52 “for yourself” is about 900 million rubles apiece, for export - about 20 million dollars (excluding the price of ammunition, maintenance, training of pilots, technicians and other things that can raise the price twice or even higher). The Tiger, as befits a decent Western car, is more expensive - more than 40 million dollars for a helicopter (without the same additions).
Ka-52 (photo: Nikolay Krasnov)

It is clear why the Tigers - in addition to the French, Germans and Spaniards who initially signed up for them - managed to sell only 22 units for export over a decade and a half. More than fifty Ka-52s have already been shipped, and this is clearly not the limit - especially after the Syrian “demonstration flights”.

Ka-52 - 4
"Tiger" - 2.5.

So, it seems like everything has been calculated? Well, yes, probably. What's the result? As a result we have

P coming into service in 2005 ground forces The Bundeswehr attack helicopter "Tiger" is assessed by the military-political leadership of Germany as one of the weapons systems that significantly increases the combat capabilities of this type of armed forces.

Operational characteristics

The German Army Command considers the Tiger as a universal protected combat system suitable for performing a wide range of tasks in the interests of the Army and Navy within the framework of operations of a national and international nature.

It is believed that as an independent maneuverable combat element The Tiger helicopter is capable of operating in areas difficult to reach ground systems weapons (for example, due to terrain or infrastructure conditions), quickly reach the combat zone, successfully close gaps in combat formations, and also significantly enhance the fire capabilities of interacting units.

The Tiger attack helicopter is designed to engage significant ground and air targets, control posts, armored and other protected objects, as well as fire weapons deep in enemy territory. The helicopter's ability for flexible and highly maneuverable operations in wide areas and high firepower determine its high combat and operational significance.

Helicopter "Tiger" - growing pains

At the same time, the arrival of this type of aircraft to the troops was accompanied by significant problems.

According to the results of a comprehensive inventory of the main projects of new weapons, regularly carried out by the Federal Office for Armaments, information technology and the use of the Bundeswehr ( hereinafter BAAINBw), set out in the report of the Ministry of Defense to the German parliament in March 2018, the total time for the implementation of the Tiger program exceeded the planned time by more than 80 months, and at a cost of more than 934 million euros (+22%).

The development and supply of combat helicopters under the Tiger project began in 1984 with an intergovernmental agreement signed between Germany and France. Other partners were Spain and Australia, as an exporting country.

Within the framework of the project, work is carried out as follows: international level under the auspices of the “Joint Arms Cooperation Organization” ( Organization Conjointe de Cooperation en matiere d’Armement, OCCAR), and on a national scale under the control of BAAINBw. At the same time, the project received the designation “Tiger support helicopter” ( Unterstützungshubschrauber Tiger,UHT). The main contractor for the project is Airbus Helicopter ( Airbus Helicopters, orEUROCOPTER).

Initially, in 1984, it was planned to purchase 212 vehicles for the German Armed Forces. After a change in the market situation and a reassessment of the nature of the threats in 1994, the German government decided to purchase a multi-role support helicopter instead of an anti-tank one. The agreement on the acquisition of the UH "Tiger" was signed in June 1999. Moreover, a feature of the German version of the design was the sight placed on the mast above the main rotor of the vehicle.

Delivery organization

The development and delivery of helicopters for the Bundeswehr took place in several stages and was accompanied by numerous changes and additions to the original project. The first six Tiger helicopters were delivered to Germany in 2005 in the so-called pre-production version. It could not be used in combat, but was intended for training pilots and technicians. The entire batch was placed at the disposal of the Franco-German training center in Le Luc.

The next five helicopters are of an advanced pre-production configuration (the so-called. basic level, version 002) the Bundeswehr received in 2008 and 2009. These machines are significantly to a greater extent corresponded to serial status. The first production samples of the Tiger attack helicopter began to enter service with the troops in 2010, six years late and in small quantities.

Against the backdrop of what was launched on October 4, 2011 by former German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizières and the established restrictions on major weapons systems, the requirement for helicopter purchases was revised and reduced to 80 vehicles. Later, in March 2013, the Ministry of Defense and the contractor signed another agreement (the so-called “German course”) to reduce the total number of equipment supplied to 68 units. In addition, it was envisaged that the contractor would buy back 11 previously delivered Tigers and would not sell spare parts for the last 10 helicopters to the Bundeswehr.

According to the report mentioned above, as of February 2018, Germany had received 65 Tiger helicopters. The remaining vehicles were expected to be received by the troops by the end of 2018. Of the total number, 68 helicopters, 45 Tigers are intended for ground forces. Of these, 32 vehicles are sent to the 36th regiment attack helicopters"Kurhaessen" ( Kampfhubschrauberregiment 36 "Kurhessen"), Fritzlar.

Equipment features of the UHT version

The Tiger attack helicopter in its production version (designation Mk I) at the turn of 2005 was characterized by a significant set of innovations. In particular, the vehicle received a duplicate layout of critical systems, a warning system for exposure to enemy radars, laser and other targeting systems. Equipment for disorienting enemy guided missiles with infrared and radar homing heads was mounted on the helicopter fuselage.

The commander-gunner's electronic equipment includes an OSIRIS mast-mounted sight with a daytime black-and-white channel, a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder.

The cockpit equipment includes a side view system ( Pilot Sight Unit, PSU), predictive IR flight control support system ( Forward Looking Infrared-Flugführungsunterstützungssystem, FLIR).

Night vision devices are integrated into the helmets of both crew members. Equipment German version"Tiger" allows, under night flight conditions, to switch between night vision and FLIR, as well as between the residual light amplification system and thermal imaging, with almost no delay.

The helicopter's communications equipment includes a frequency modulated VHF radio ( FM), combined VHF/UHF ( VHF/ UHF) transmitter, as well as an HF radio station ( HF) range. In addition, the Tiger is equipped with an operational support unit with a battlefield management system ( Battlefield Management System). The system allows you to exchange data via radio channel with ground command post regarding changes in the situation and combat missions.

Armament

The wings (pylons) of the helicopter have four weapon hardpoints. Two Stinger missiles with a firing range of 5 km are attached to two external nodes. Two internal hardpoints allow you to install one of the following weapons:

  • 12.7 mm GunPod HMP coaxial machine gun with a firing range of up to 1500 m (400 rounds of ammunition);
  • launch container 70 mm NUR (16 missiles, range 6 km), or ATGM “Hot” launcher (4 missiles, range 4 km);
  • PU ATGM PARS 3 (4 missiles, range – 6000m).

Development of combat capabilities

At the same time, according to experts, the tactical and technical characteristics of the Tiger Mk I model, as it entered service with the troops, no longer met the changing requirements of combat and the capabilities of the protection systems of modern models of armored vehicles. In particular, 12 helicopters sent to Afghanistan in the interests of carrying out the ISAF mission were modified to the Asgard version specially developed for this purpose ( Afghanistan StabilizationGerman Army Rapid Deployment“ ‐ Full, ASGARD‐ F).

The modification included improvements to crew ballistic protection and software reliability, as well as the installation of a multi-band radio with SatCom/TacSat functionality and sand filters for engines. In addition, the ability to record the progress of a combat mission (as a legal requirement) has been implemented.

In the period until June 30, 2014, Asgard version helicopters flew 260 combat missions (1,860 flight hours) and received generally positive ratings.

Experience in operating the Asgard variant in Afghanistan and proposals from the troops served as the basis for identifying measures aimed at increasing the combat capabilities of the helicopter as part of the package of requirements for the Tiger attack helicopter in the Mk II version.

Further improvement of the helicopter performance characteristics should include:

  • increasing the firing accuracy of 70 mm missiles by equipping them with a laser homing head;
  • possibility of using a 70 mm Top missile launcher on an external sling ( Tiger Helicopter Outer Rockets,THOR);
  • anti-laser protection against mixed and infrared lasers for the crew;
  • increasing the combat range by installing an additional fuel tank (Combat Fuel Tank);
  • installation of commander's laser pointer (Commanders Laserpointer) to simplify interaction with ground forces;
  • further improvement of ballistic protection for the crew.

At the same time, it is planned to bring 40 ground vehicles to the ability to use the Asgard equipment set, and increase the number of such sets to 24 units. This re-equipment was planned to begin in 2018 and be completed by 2024.

Anti-obsolescence and further development

Since the loss of the combat potential of the helicopter by the mid-2020s due to the obsolescence of its systems is inevitable, in 2012 the “Program for Guaranteeing the Combat Capabilities of the Tiger Helicopter” was launched ( Tiger Capability Assurance Program, TCAP). The program is managed by a working group ( Tiger-Capability Assurance Working Group,TCG), whose members are the countries participating in the Tiger Project.

The goal is to maintain the helicopter's combat capabilities and, where possible, expand its combat potential within the existing concept. A multinational approach is believed to hold the hope of achieving maximum synergies, and key methods should be managing the obsolescence of systems and timely replacement with new promising models.

A promising version of the helicopter was designated Tiger Mk III. In the interests of grouping the characteristics of the Mk III modification, which already now go far beyond the current capabilities of the helicopter, within working group special tables of requirements have been developed ( Tiger Update Requirement Sheets, TURS). The tables are grouped by more than 50 indicators, including: weapons, communications, radar equipment, control and navigation systems, software, electronic warfare, human-machine interface, interaction with UAVs, avionics architecture, maintainability and others.

The requirements tables became the basis for an 18-month joint military-industry study that began in July 2015. The study was intended to provide a general understanding of existing helicopter architecture upgrade opportunities, program risks, technology challenges, tolerances and costs.

On the part of the Bundeswehr, the Air Force Development Directorate takes an active part in the work on the Mk III ( Amt für Heeresentwicklung) . The start of deliveries of the Tiger helicopter in the Mk III version is planned for 2024. It is assumed that the new version of the vehicle will meet future challenges and requirements for the combat capabilities of Bundeswehr attack helicopters for the foreseeable period until 2040.

Thus, the Tiger helicopter entering service with the German Army has high combat characteristics. There have been delays in helicopter deliveries due to numerous improvements to the original design. Deliveries of the Mk I version to the Bundeswehr were completed in 2018. The total number of helicopters is 68 units.

The command of the German Armed Forces expects to upgrade the Tiger to the Mk II version by 2024, and from 2024 the promising Tiger Mk III helicopter is expected to arrive. The latter option, according to experts, will satisfy the requirements of the Bundeswehr ground force for the period until 2040.

Based on materials from the magazine “Europäische Sicherheit &Technik”

Eurocopter Tiger (Airbus Helicopters Tiger) - a twin-engine attack helicopter created in the early 1990s and put into operation in 2003 by the Eurocopter concern. In Germany it is called Tiger, in France - Tigre.

History of Tiger

In 1984, the Armed Forces of France and Germany presented official requirements for a promising multi-purpose combat helicopter. Development and creation new car was entrusted to a joint venture between Aerospatiale and MBB. However, already in 1986 the project was canceled due to the prohibitive cost of the helicopter, which had to be created from scratch, as well as doubts about the need for their purchase. The German Armed Forces considered it more efficient and cheaper to purchase a limited batch of American-made AH-64 Apache helicopters.

However, by 1987, after the reorganization of the joint concern and optimization in order to reduce costs, the project was resumed. By 1989, a joint preliminary design of the future machine was ready.

In 1989, five prototypes were created at the Marignane and Donauwörth plants and were selected as production sites. Three prototypes had no weapons, and two more tested on-board weapons. The first prototype took off in 1991.

In 1992 joint venture Aerospatiale and MBB were reorganized into the Eurocopter Group. Most projects of both companies were included in the new concern, including Tiger.

After flight tests, the project stalled. Cold War ended and the military budgets of European countries began to be sharply cut. However, the Tiger project continued to develop, although it did not avoid crossings and stretching the duration of work. Now the Germans needed not only an anti-tank helicopter (the Soviet shock armies were no longer a threat), but also a reconnaissance helicopter, an escort and a support helicopter. It was not until 1999 that France and Germany placed official orders for 160 helicopters. In 2005, the first production vehicles began to be delivered to the troops.

In the 1990s, the main potential customers for export Tiger helicopters were supposed to be the UK and the Netherlands. Eurocopter paid a lot of attention to these countries, but, with cuts in military budgets and delays in bringing helicopters into mass production, both countries abandoned the model in favor of . Later, already in the 2000s, after the start of deliveries to the armies of France and Germany, the military from Spain and Australia placed their orders for these helicopters. It is planned to conclude contracts for supplies in South Korea, Brazil, Malaysia and Qatar.

Description: demonstration flights of Eurocopter Tiger helicopters

Tiger design

Eurocopter Tiger is created according to the classic single-rotor design with a tail rotor

When creating it, the latest technical achievements were used: composite materials, a helmet-mounted sight, digital radio-electronic systems, helmet-mounted indicators for pilots, etc. The presence of durable landing gear structures, a power kit and seat armor allows the crew to withstand landing at speeds of up to 11.5 m in emergency situations /With. Double crew cabin with shock-absorbing armored seats arranged in tandem on at different levels: The pilot is in front and the operator is behind.

The fuselage, made entirely of composite materials, can withstand hits from projectiles of up to 23 mm caliber. The shape of the cockpit with a sliding armored glass canopy minimizes reflections of light and radar radiation.

The four-bladed main rotor uses elastomeric bearings. New aerodynamic profiles have been developed for the blades: the ends of the blades are swept and bent down to improve hovering performance.

The power plant consists of two Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 gas turbine engines with a power of 1285 hp, installed side by side. The transmission is equipped with a two-stage gearbox capable of operating without lubrication for 30 minutes; its excess strength allows it to withstand impacts from 12.7 mm bullets.

The PAH-2 Tiger helicopter is the first production helicopter to feature liquid crystal displays on its instrument panel, allowing readability in any lighting conditions. There is also a binocular helmet-mounted sight for aiming weapons; control system with two redundant channels (mechanical and fly-by-wire).

Modifications

  • UH Tiger(from Unterstützungshubschrauber - support helicopter) is a medium multi-role close support helicopter created for the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces). The helicopter is equipped with PARS 3 LR missiles (fire and forget), anti-tank missiles HOT3, as well as 70 mm unguided rockets. To combat air targets, the helicopter can be equipped with AIM-92 Stinger missiles. 12.7 mm cannons can be mounted on the helicopter.
  • Tiger HAP/ HCP(Hélicoptère d'Appui Protection - support and escort helicopter, as well as Hélicoptère de Combat Polyvalent - multi-role combat helicopter) - a medium helicopter for combating ground and air targets, created for the French Armed Forces. It is equipped with a 30 mm cannon, 68 mm SNEB unguided missiles, 20 mm mounted machine guns, as well as Mistral air-to-air missiles.
  • Tiger HAD(Hélicoptère d’Appui Destruction or Helicoptero de Apoyo y Destrucción in Spanish) is a modification initially similar to the HAP version, but more adapted for direct combat in conditions of active counteraction. The uprated MTR390 engine has 14% more thrust, and the design is better protected from bullet attacks. Created for the Spanish Armed Forces. Equipped with Hellfire II and Spike ER missiles.
  • Tiger ARH(Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter - combat reconnaissance helicopter) - a modification created for the Australian Army to replace the OH-58 Kaiwa and UH-1 Iroquois. Tiger ARH modernized version Tiger HAP, with installed laser designators and guidance systems for Hellfire II missiles. Instead of standard unguided rockets, the helicopter is equipped with 70-mm rockets from the Belgian company FZ (Forges de Zeebrugge).

The PAH-2 Tiger attack helicopter is designed to conduct reconnaissance and combat enemy armored vehicles and helicopters. In 1987, France and Germany, as part of the development companies Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm and Aerospatiale, formed the Eurocopter consortium with a branch in Paris and began developing a new helicopter in two versions - anti-tank and fire support. The multi-purpose version of the NAR (Helicoptere d'Appui Protection) as well as the anti-tank HAC-3G (Helicoptere Anti-Char) were intended for the French army, and the all-weather anti-tank PAH-2 (Panzerpabwehr-Hubschrauder) for the German army.

In March 1988, in order to reduce design costs, both sides combined the French and German anti-tank models into one project SATN (Comman Anti-Tank Helicopter - a single anti-tank helicopter). The SATN program was estimated at $1.1 billion. At the same time, the glider and power point corresponded to the PAH-2 variant. However, instead American system detection and target designation TADS/PNVS from Martin-Marietta, they decided to install a European set of MEP equipment on the helicopter, which included a sleeve sight, a surveillance system and a fire control system. At the same time, the French army confirmed its interest in receiving a close fire support helicopter. On April 27, 1991, the PT-1 Tiger flew for the first time. During the tests, a comprehensive assessment of flight characteristics, airframe subsystems, main and tail rotor hubs, engines, fuel and hydraulic systems, as well as on-board electronic equipment was carried out. The helicopter demonstrated good stability, which made it possible to abandon the planned installation of a stabilization system (SAS) - vertical surfaces at the ends of the stabilizer, which were intended to increase lateral stability and dampen vibrations in the yaw channel.

In 1991, due to the collapse of the USSR and the unification of Germany, funding for the project was significantly reduced, and the state order for the expected supply of the helicopter was almost halved (from 218 helicopters to 138). Germany's reduction in the number of helicopters purchased slowed down work on the project and preparations for mass production. Only in June 1992 was the assembly of the second experimental helicopter PT-2 completed, which was intended for testing on-board electronic equipment, like the PT-3 that was under construction, and in November of the same year the first experimental fire support helicopter for the French army appeared, receiving at this time the name "Zherfo" (kochet). To save time and money, French specialists, simultaneously with flight tests of this machine, were testing the weapon system and part of the electronic equipment for it on Puma helicopters. Thus, one of the first to be tested was the GIAT AM-30781 30-mm automatic cannon and an aiming system operating in the optical and infrared ranges.

The successful tests of "Gerfo" made a good impression on military specialists and on November 17, 1992, the command army aviation stated that plans for the purchase of all-weather anti-tank PAH-2 Tiger are most likely not final and may be adjusted in favor of the Gerfo variant. But the beginning of 1993 turned out to be completely bleak for the Eurocopter concern; the German government reduced the state order of purchased PAH-2 Tiger helicopters to 78 machines. The project was again under threat of closure. However, on May 29, 1993, the military commands of Germany and France entered into an agreement, according to which both parties confirmed their further participation in the development of the new helicopter. Meanwhile, the planned delivery date for new PAH-2 Tiger helicopters into service was postponed to 2000.

This decision entailed commercial difficulties, since the first export deliveries to the British armed forces were already planned for 1998. At the same time, the joint agreement set the task of developing new tactical and technical requirements for the PAH-2 Tiger, which was now intended to be used as a multi-role support helicopter under the designation UHV-2. It was planned to install promising ATGMs "Trigat" and 27-mm automatic gun"Mauser", placed in a ventral container. The set of sensors of the detection and surveillance system, as well as the computer of the combat information and control system, were also subject to modernization.

In 1994, the third prototype RT-3 was tested. They revealed: large bending moments of the main rotor (which was strengthened), excessive sensitivity of the duplex automatic system flight control, increased vibrations in the cockpit and tail boom. As a result, the gear ratio in the blade pitch control system was reduced, and the shape of the gearbox fairing was modified in order to stabilize the flow and reduce vibration. The “quick” launch of the MTU MTR-390 turboshaft gas engines, developed by the British Rolls-Royce and the French Turbomeca, was also worked out. In particular, the control program for injectors and the first stages of compressors was adjusted. After modifications, the car was approved as the final sample. A few words about the design of the "Tiger". The fuselage and wing are made of carbon fiber, and the fairings are made of fiberglass and Kevlar.

The developers paid a lot of attention to the survivability of the vehicle in accordance with MIL STD-1290 standards. This made the helicopter design quite resistant to hits from 23-mm shells from the Soviet ZSU 23-4 "Shilka" and ZU 23-2. The low aspect ratio straight wing with lowered tips has four pylons to accommodate weapons, fuel tanks and containers for various purposes. The swept-back vertical tail is unusually developed: it consists of a pair of fins, one of which is located under the tail boom, and two vertical surfaces at the ends of the straight stabilizer. The keel is given an asymmetrical profile, and the surfaces are set at an angle, which allows the tail rotor to be unloaded in flight.

In the mid-90s. potential buyers have not lost interest in the PAH-2 Tiger. Thus, the German government confirmed its initial intention to receive 212 combat helicopters. In 1995, the French Ministry of Defense ordered 14 PAH-2 Tigers for military testing and at the same time purchased basic spare parts for a total of $153 million. In the same year, experimental vehicles RT-4 and RT-5 were assembled in the NAR and PAH-2/NAS variants, respectively. They were used for full-scale weapons testing.

Soon, the German Ministry of Defense declared the PAH-2 Tiger fire support helicopters unfit for use and stated that their deliveries would be delayed due to numerous defects and shortcomings. A batch of 80 PAH-2 Tiger helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS, was ordered in 1999. 67 of them were to be delivered by 2009. Meanwhile, according to a representative of the Ministry of Defense, to date the department has received only 11 helicopters, and due to “serious defects” all of them were declared unusable. Eurocopter issued a statement saying that work to fix the problem was being carried out at an accelerated pace. It is expected that the first combat-ready Tiger helicopters will become available to the Bundeswehr no earlier than 2012.

The helicopter is designed according to the traditional design with one semi-rigid rotor. When creating it, the latest technical achievements were used: composite materials (Kevlar, elastomeric bearings and fiberglass, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics), a helmet-mounted sight, digital electronic systems, helmet-mounted indicators for pilots, etc. The presence of durable chassis structures, power kit and seat armor allows the crew in emergency situations, maintain landing speeds of up to 11.5 m/s. The crew cabin is two-seater with shock-absorbing armored seats located in tandem at different levels: the pilot is in front and the operator is behind.

The fuselage, made entirely of composite materials, can withstand hits from projectiles of up to 23 mm caliber. The crew cabin is double, the seats are arranged in tandem. The shape of the cockpit with a sliding armored glass canopy minimizes light and radar reflections (the rest of the fuselage is also designed in accordance with this principle).

The design of the four-blade main rotor uses elastomeric bearings (tapered and radial). New aerodynamic profiles have been developed for the blades: the ends of the blades are swept and bent down to improve hovering performance. Large joint spacing determines good characteristics maneuverability. The "spheri-flex" tail rotor (with a titanium sleeve and split gum blades) provides good yaw control characteristics.

The power plant of the PAH-2 Tiger consists of two MTR390 gas turbine engines with a power of 1285 hp, installed side by side. The transmission is equipped with a two-stage gearbox capable of operating without lubrication for 30 minutes; its excess strength allows it to withstand impacts from 12.7 mm bullets. The fuel system is duplicated, equipped with protected tanks with a volume of 1360 liters.

The PAH-2 Tiger helicopter is the first production helicopter to have 15.2 x 15.2 cm liquid crystal displays on its instrument panel, allowing readings in any lighting conditions. There is also a binocular helmet-mounted sight for aiming weapons; control system with two redundant channels (mechanical and fly-by-wire).

PAH and HAC helicopters differ mainly only in their weapons systems. The PAH helicopter's armament kit contains a sight, including a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder-target designator, 2-3 HOT-2 ATGMs or third-generation ATS 3 ATGMs with a fire-and-forget control system, 4 FIM air-to-air missiles -92 Stinger and Mistral. The HAC helicopter is equipped with a 30 mm caliber GIAT FV-30781 mobile cannon with ammunition of 450 (on the NAR version) and 150 shells (on the NAS model), 4 air-to-air missiles and NAR units. Depending on the variant, the sight can be installed above the main rotor hub or in the forward fuselage.

Modification of PAH-2 Tiger
Main rotor diameter, m 13.00
Tail rotor diameter, m 2.70
Length, m 14.00
Height, m ​​3.81
Width, m 1.00
Weight, kg
empty 3300
normal takeoff 5400
maximum takeoff 6000
Internal fuel, l 1360
Engine type 2 GTE MTU/Turbomeca/Rolls-Royce MTR 390
Power, kW
at takeoff 2 x 958
during flight 2 x 873
Maximum speed, km/h 280
Cruising speed, km/h 250
Practical range, km 800
Rate of climb, m/min
maximum 690
combat 384
Practical ceiling, m 3500
Static ceiling, m 2000
Crew, people 2
Armament: 30 mm GIAT M871 or AM-30781 cannon with 750 rounds
Combat load on 4 hardpoints:
Anti-tank configuration:
8 ATGM HOT2 and/or TRIGAT LR and
4 Mistral and/or FIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles
Impact Configuration:
4 Mistral air-to-air missiles together with a cannon
68x68 mm NUR SNEB or 44x68 mm NUR and 4 Mistral missiles