Airbus is offering what it terms its “cost-effective” Tiger attack helicopter for Australia’s Project LAND 4503 Armed Reconnaissance Capability (ARC), the company announced on 29 August.
Seen aboard HMAS Canberra during the type’s first overseas deployment earlier in 2019, the Tiger is being pitched by Airbus as a “cost-effective” solution to its future armed reconnaissance requirement. (Commonwealth of Australia)
In responding to the request for information (RFI) with its already in-service Tiger, Airbus says that retaining the ‘now-mature’ platform through to beyond 2040 will save the Australian government AUD3 billion (USD2 billion) compared with the procurement of an entirely new helicopter type.
“Since delivery, the Australian Tiger has matured into a fully operational army capability,” Airbus said, adding: “Cost per flight hour of the Australian Tiger has reduced by more than 30% and the sortie success rate is currently sitting at above 95%. It is these measures that […] place Tiger in a compelling position”.
The Australian ARH is a hybrid variant of the Tiger that is based on the French Hélicoptère d’Appui et de Protection (HAP), with an undernose Giat 30-781 30 mm cannon, roof-mounted sight, and provision for underwing 70 mm rocket pods, but with an anti-tank capability. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) is currently looking at options to replace the 22 Tiger ARHs that the army began receiving in 2004.
The Project LAND 4503 ARC programme will see 29 helicopters (including five training platforms) enter service from 2026, with full operating capability being declared in 2028.
Besides Airbus, Bell is offering its AH-1Z Viper and Boeing its AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter for the requirement.
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