European OCCAR awards contract to MBDA for French future air-to-ground tactical missile programme.

The European OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) as Contracting Authority,  representing the government of France, has agreed a contract with MBDA FR for the development, production and initial in-service support phases of the MAST-F Programme.

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MAST-F (Missile Air-Sol Tactique-Futur / Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile) for French TIGER helicopter MKIII (Picture source: MBDA)

MAST-F is a weapon system for the MKIII version of the TIGER helicopter capable of neutralizing Main Battle Tanks, infrastructure and combat groups with high precision and limited collateral damage. It is designed to provide combat units with a versatile and precise attack capability. It will be developed from the technological baseline employed on French MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée).

Development and Production is expected to run for 10 years with In-Service support activities starting in 2027.

The contract was awarded to MBDA France as Prime Contractor.

In 2020, MBDA has been selected to develop the Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile (MAST-F) programme as the main French Army air to ground armament for the TIGER combat helicopter.

French attack helicopter Tigre (Picture source Air Recognition)

The Tiger is a four-bladed, twin-engine attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the French company Airbus Helicopters formerly Eurocopter. It entered service with the French Army in 2003. The Tiger is capable of undertaking a wide range of combat missions, including armed reconnaissance and surveillance, anti-tank and close air support, escort and protection of friendly assets; and can operate during day or night in all weather conditions, and has been designed to include operations in the aftermath of nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare.

The Tiger attack helicopter can be fitted with various armaments including rockets, cannons, and a range of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, controlled via a dedicated weapons control computer. Munitions for anti-ground warfare include the nose-mounted 30mm Nexter turret; an assortment of external gun pods, anti-tank missiles, and up to four launchers for 70mm and 68mm rockets can be mounted on the Tiger's stub wings.