Tiger helicopter

Thales subsidiary TDA is currently negotiating a contract with the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to equip the national army’s Tiger attack helicopters with its roquette à précision métrique (RPM) system, a company official has revealed.

Speaking during a pre-Paris air show media event at the DGA’s Cazaux flight test centre, TDA-guided rocket programme manager Matthieu Krouri was quoted by Flightglobal as saying that a production version of the RPM was expected to be available for installation onboard the Tiger helicopters from 2018.

The rocket has already successfully completed two safe separation firing manoeuvres onboard a Tiger support and protection helicopter (HAP) at DGA’s Biscarrosse test range in France, in January and April, while a final demonstration involving a 18.7lb rocket is scheduled to be carried out in July.

Conducted as part of a DGA contract, the mid-year testing is expected to feature two launches against a fixed target being marked by a laser spot.

Manufactured under a company-funded programme, RPM is a 2.7in diameter rocket system capable of providing a circular error of probability accuracy of below 1m, from a maximum firing range of up to 6km.

"A final demonstration involving a 18.7lb rocket is scheduled to be carried out in July."

Capable of intercepting ground targets moving at up to 55kmph, the 1.4m-long rocket is not physically connected with the launcher unit due to use of wireless induction technology.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The rocket is also designed to serve as a feasible solution for the French Air Force’s long-held requirement to deploy a low-yield weapon between the Rafale fighter’s internal cannon and Sagem AASM air-to-surface missile, according to Krouri.

Meanwhile, the company is currently manufacturing the rocket’s munition-standard blast/fragmentation warhead and fuse, under a separate contract from the DGA.

Powered by two Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft engines, the Eurocopter Tiger is a two-seat attack aircraft designed to conduct precise day and night surveillance and fire support missions.


Image: A French Army Tiger attack helicopter during flight. Photo: courtesy of Sorruno.

Defence Technology