a
World Aviation Defense & Security News - France
 
 

French Tiger HAD crews achieved first Hellfire live fire campaign at Suippes training ground

 
Following months of preparation, the French army technical section's Air Mobility group (GAMSTAT) successfully fired an AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile from a Tiger HAD combat helicopter for the first time at the Suippes training ground, the French Army said on August 7.
     
French Tiger HAD crews start Hellfire II missile live firing trials 640 001A French Army Light Aviation Tiger HAD firing the Lockheed Martin's AGM-114 Hellfire II air-to-ground missile
(Credit: French Army) 
     
These first live firing training exercises took place a few weeks ago, the French MoD said.

"We participated, along with the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), in the missile qualification. These tests made it possible to define the safety model according to the platforms' own capabilities," said the Lieutenant-Colonel Xavier, Tiger Program Officer for the GAMSTAT.

"I just fired my first missile, it's an important step for a Tiger HAD crew. With the validation of the firing range, We will face fewer flight potential constraints. In three hours We can take off from Phalsbourg, shoot then come back to our base, such as in operation," added the Captain Romain, Tiger HAD Commander at the 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment.

The Tiger HAD (Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction) is an upgraded variant of the Tiger HAP combat helicopter specially designed for operations in hot environments. The French Government selected Lockheed Martin’s AGM-114 Hellfire II missile system for its fleet of HAD Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters in June 2007.