HAD/E Tiger helicopter programme marks milestone

The first HAD/E variant of the Tiger combat helicopter assembled at Eurocopter's Spanish facilities in Albacete, Spain, completed its maiden flight on 29 June. This aircraft will be the first unit to enter service with the Spanish Army helicopter unit, with delivery planned by the end of 2013.

The first prototype (HAD/E-5001) was assembled at Eurocopter’s Marignane, France facilities and has been performing the certification and qualification flight campaign in Spain since 2010.

The helicopter will significantly reinforce the six French-assembled Tiger HAP/E variants currently operated by the Spanish Army.

Juan Luis Cordero, Eurocopter Tiger programme manager in Spain, said: ‘This is an important achievement for both the Tiger programme and for Eurocopter Spain. The assembly of this helicopter was made possible thanks to a significant investment in both industrial and human resources and also to the close coordination with other entities in the group.’

There are several variants of the Tiger helicopter classified within the six-ton category, designed for reconnaissance, escort, protection, and air-to-air as well as air-to-ground combat missions. The HAD variant is the most complete and modern version of this family, designed to provide the flexible multi-mission platform that is demanded by military forces in operational theatres. To date, the Tiger programme has 206 combined orders from Germany (80 UHT), France (40 HAP/F and 40 HAD/F), Australia (22 ARH) and Spain (24 HAD/E).

The Tiger programme represents an important step in the multinational cooperation between the defence ministries of France, Germany and Spain, as well as industry stakeholders. The Tiger industrial participation plan allowed Spanish companies, under leadership of Eurocopter Spain, to participate in the complete helicopter lifecycle – from design and manufacture, flight tests and certification, to final assembly and integral logistics support.