Posted on 06/19/2007 12:25:12 AM PDT by Atlantic Friend
PARIS, FRANCE, June 18, 2007 --
The Government of France has selected Lockheed Martin’s HELLFIRE II® missile system to equip its Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction (HAD) Tiger attack helicopter fleet. The precision-strike missiles will be purchased under a foreign military sale for the French Army, which is fielding 40 HAD Tiger helicopters. The fielding is expected to be completed by 2012.
“HELLFIRE II missiles will provide the French HAD Tigers a highly effective precision strike capability,” said Doug Terrell, international business development director for Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
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The modular HELLFIRE II includes three semi-active laser warhead variations – (1) the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) missile, or AGM-114K, which defeats all known and projected armored threats; (2) the AGM-114M blast fragmentation missile, which defeats “soft” targets such as boats, buildings, bunkers and light-armored vehicles; and (3) the metal augmented charge (MAC) missile, or AGM-114N, which defeats enclosures, caves and enemy personnel housed therein.
Another key factor influencing the French decision to procure HELLFIRE includes the missile’s employment flexibility. HELLFIRE missiles are guided precisely to the laser spot on the target by HELLFIRE’s proven semi-active laser seeker. This technology enables last-second diversion of the missile should the need arise.
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"HELLFIRE is one of the premier air-to-ground missile systems in use today, and we’re looking forward to adding the HELLFIRE capability to the French HAD Tiger, in addition to Australia," said Terrell.
Eurocopter, under contract with the multi-national European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, has already begun integration of HELLFIRE II on the HAD Tiger at its facility in Marignane, France, with Lockheed Martin’s support. Ground tests are scheduled for October 2007, with flight tests beginning in March 2008.
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(Excerpt) Read more at lockheedmartin.com ...
I’m curious as to why France didn’t buy the missles from the other EADS division Dassault? I wonder if it is to standarize the armantments with the US/Brit Apache/Cobra.
Australia has already integrated Hellfire II into our Tigers.
The idea for the French “Tigre” helos was to equip them with HOT-3 AT missiles until the new TRIGAT missile could be developped.
Apparently, the Ministère de la Défense Nationale has now written TRIGAT off for reasons I do not know (maybe delays ?).
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