French Tiger Mk3s to include MMP derivative
Modular MHT/MLP concept can be integrated with a variety of land or air platforms, MBDA claims
MBDA has obtained a contract from French defence procurement agency DGA to develop the MAST-F future air-to-surface weapon for the Tiger Mk3 attack helicopter.
MBDA proposed its MHT/MLP (high-tier missile/long-range mobile missile) concept, which is derived from technologies used in the MMP land combat missile.
The modular architecture of the MHT/MLP ‘enables easy integration onto a variety of land or air combat platforms in addition to the Tiger’, MBDA noted in a 13 November statement.
MHT/MLP weighs 20% less than other missiles in its category, the company added. This should deliver a weight saving of nearly 100kg for the Tiger, which would carry up to eight missiles in combat configuration.
The range of the BLoS missile exceeds 8km ‘even when fired from a stationary platform at low altitude’.
MBDA added: ‘Its multi-effect warhead can handle a wide variety of targets, from modern battle tanks to hardened combat infrastructure.’
A two-way data link sends images from a high-resolution visible and IR optronic seeker back to the operator. The crew of the Tiger can use this imagery to choose the missile’s point of impact or to select a new target in flight, ‘making the weapon suitable for fluid battlefield situations’.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the DGA launched a study in October 2018 to look into possible upgrades for the French fleet of Tigers.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters]()
KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters
Airbus Helicopters and KAI have agreed a contract covering the supply of helicopter components for the latter over the next decade.
-
![Dart Aerospace to supply high-lift heliporter to US Navy]()
Dart Aerospace to supply high-lift heliporter to US Navy
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is has been awarded an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the US DoD to provide a high-lift heliporter designed and manufactured by Dart Aerospace to the USN.
-
![Indonesia signs MoU for S-70M Black Hawks]()
Indonesia signs MoU for S-70M Black Hawks
The Indonesian military has turned its sights on S-70M Black Hawk helicopters, with the service never having bought platforms from Sikorsky before.
-
![Industry awarded new contracts for Australian and US Apache attack helicopter work]()
Industry awarded new contracts for Australian and US Apache attack helicopter work
Longbow LLC and Lockheed Martin have received new contracts to supply Longbow fire control radars to Australia, and refurbish US Army Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) equipment. Both systems equip the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
-
![Bell contracts Moog for FLRAA V-280 Valor sub-assemblies]()
Bell contracts Moog for FLRAA V-280 Valor sub-assemblies
Moog has been placed under contract by Bell Textron to supply flight control content for the US Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), the Bell V-280 Valor.
