Eurocopter Tiger

Made by the helicopter division of the European firm EADS, the Eurocopter Tiger is a light attack helicopter initially to be used by Australia, France, Germany and Spain. While it comes in several variants, its role is principally armed reconnaissance, similar to that of the U.S. OH-58 Kiowa Warrior.

Weapons
In the air-to-air role, it can carry either the French MBDA Mistral (missile) or U.S. FIM-92 Stinger. Crew members have helmet-mounted sights. The helicopter also fires 70mm Hydra unguided rockets.

For antitank and fortification ground attack, the Australian versions will use the U.S. AGM-114 Hellfire II. German Tigers will use the Euromissile HOT 3 and Euromissile TRIGAT LR. A final decision on the antitank missile has not been made by France and Spain. French versions mount a 30mm autocannon.

EADS makes the electronic defense system, which includes infrared, radar and laser warning receivers; a chaff/flare dispenser; and a central processor.

Avionics
To identify and lock on ground targets, it has a Mast Mounted Sight with a thermal viewer and laser rangefinder. For both night navigation and target spotting, it has nose-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) with a 40° x 30° field of view.