New Variant of the Eurocopter Tiger

I knew, this would happen soon:

Eurocopter has developed a new variant of the Eurocopter Tiger, called “HAD” (Helicoptere Appui Destruction/ engl.: Helicopter Support Destruction). Eurocopter’s Tiger had always had a very odd setup in that it came in two seemingly incomplete versions, severely limiting its flexibility. Tiger UHT/HACThe French HAP version incorporated Mistral anti-aircraft missiles, a 30mm chin turret, and unguided rockets. Yet unlike the Franco-German HAC/UHT version, the HAP lacked the Osiris mast-mounted sight/designator that could be so useful to a scout helicopter, substituting a roof-mounted sight instead. The other thing it couldn’t do was fire anti-tank missiles.
The HAC/UHT anti-tank version, meanwhile, has the improved sights and can fire anti-tank missiles, but lacks the 30mm gun with its obvious applications against trucks and light armored vehicles.

The HAD project draws also on lessons from Australia’s Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) version, another modified Tiger HAP with upgraded MTR390 engines, a laser designator incorporated in the Strix sight for the firing of Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles, and M299 “smart” launchers.
The HAD version fixes some of these deficiencies by taking the HAP version and adding anti-armor missile capability, a more powerful engine, an IFF interrogation function, and new ballistic protection.By means of this contract, the total number of TIGER helicopters ordered through OCCAR now amounts up to 80 aircraft for Germany (UHT), 80 for France (70 HAP and 10 HAC) and 24 for Spain (6 HAP and 18 HAD). A contractual change of 30 HAP and 10 HAC by 40 HAD for France is intended to be proceeded in a further step in 2006. The HAD’s status as the most flexible multi-role version of the Tiger is likely to make it the default choice for most buyers going forward.

I`m pleased, that Spain and France are changing the HAC-Variants to HAD-Variants. Personally I would like that Germany should changed their UHT-Variant to the HAD-Variant. Helicopters need a gun.

Source: defenseindustrydaily.com – France & Spain Order New Eurocopter Tiger HAD Variant
Eurocopter.com – Tiger HAD contract for France and Spain signed in Bonn