In a strong
signal of its capacity and capability to provide for South Korea’s
defense needs, Eurocopter indicates its interest in participating in the
two Request for Proposals (RFPs) likely to be issued in 2012, proposing
the Panther platform for the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH) program and
the Tiger for the Heavy Attack Helicopter (AH-X) program.
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“These programs represent a key part of our long-term
strategy in South Korea,” said Eurocopter President & CEO
Lutz Bertling. “For the LAH program, we will once again support
Korea Aerospace Industries in the competition, ensuring the continued
development of the country’s aerospace industry and defense capability.
Panther platform for Light Attack Helicopter program
In supporting KAI in the light attack helicopters (LAH) program, Eurocopter
is proposing the Panther, the military variant of Eurocopter’s
renowned Dauphin, as the ideal baseline platform for LAH development.
The LAH program calls for a light aircraft in the 4.5 metric ton class
with a seating capacity of 6-8.
With a background
of over 1,000 Dauphin/Panther produced and the vast experience this
type has of effective operations in the most demanding conditions, it
offers a de-risked platform which, in its latest evolution, has the
most modern avionics, engines and systems to give outstanding battle-winning
performance. It is a high speed, maneuverable, discreet and powerful
asset.
Developed to RoK
military requirements by KAI, the Panther will give world-beating performance
in a proven airframe with worldwide support.
Tiger for
the AH-X
In the expected request for proposals (RFP) for 36 heavy attack helicopters
(AH-X), Eurocopter is preparing to present its state-of-the-art support
and attack helicopter – Tiger.
Tiger is the ideal
aircraft for the RoK’s heavy attack helicopter requirement. It
is a true multi-role combat helicopter and an essential asset in any
operational theatre. With a record of outstanding operations in Close
Combat Attack missions and as escort for Utility and Assault Helicopters,
Tiger is a modern, combat proven system offering unmatched performance,
effectiveness, availability and support. Tiger has now set the standards
against which all other heavy attack helicopters are measured.
With a total of 75
helicopters delivered so far (as at 31 August 2011), the Tiger fleet
has clocked around 30,000 flight hours.
Three Tigers have
been continuously deployed by the French Army in Afghanistan since July
2009, and users’ feedback has been excellent, both regarding performance
and maintainability. The Tiger showed a very high level of availability
(more than 90%) and has logged approximately 2,100 flight hours, out
of which 25% were performed at night.
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