Germany has ordered practice rockets for use from its Tiger attack helicopters. (Photo: Bundeswehr)
Rheinmetall has received an order to provide unguided 70mm practice rockets for Tiger combat helicopters to the Bundeswehr under a framework agreement worth up to €100 million. The pilot order will be delivered later this year with serial production expected to the end of the decade after acceptance.
An initial order worth a mid-double-digit million Euro amount was booked in the second quarter of 2024.
The company has been cooperating with the Belgian subsidiary FZ of the Thales Group for the development, qualification and production of unguided 70mm-rockets and to allow combat helicopter crews to operate in realistic training scenarios.
The rockets have also been used as armament of the combat helicopter Tiger and the helicopter can fire the unguided rockets out of a firing pod for possible engagements at infantry targets, positions, or unprotected and lightly armoured vehicles.
FZ manufactures the FZ275 LGR (Laser-Guided Rocket) semi-active laser-guided rocket and has developed the FZ606, a modular six-tube rocket launcher pod for FZ275 LGRs, or a combination of guided and unguided projectiles for use from the latest iteration of Tigers.
The first representative Eurofighter Typhoon flew in 1994 and entered operational service in 2003. Two decades later the company is working to ensure the platform’s relevance beyond the middle of the century.
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The delivery would mark an end to long delays in the programme with additional aircraft expected through to 2027.
Boeing has seen a renewed demand for the Apache attack helicopter with Poland and Australia becoming customers, while India, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and Egypt have also bought new aircraft or upgraded platforms.
Under mostly clear skies, a couple of showers and the roar of the newest variant of Boeing’s venerable F-15, there was a lot of talk at Farnborough International Airshow 2024 about how to make supply chains stronger in the face of high demands and a lingering post-Covid pandemic effect.
Greece has signed an offer for 20 F-35 aircraft with an option on 20 more platforms.
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