Rheinmetall upgrades Tiger combat helicopter

In partnership with Thales, Rheinmetall have completed the modernization of the flight simulators for the Tiger combat helicopter.

ARGE TATM (consisting of Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH and Thales AVS France SAS)  were awarded the contract in December 2014 through the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d'Armement (OCCAR); an organization that fosters cross-border defence procurement cooperation in Europe.

With the completion of this programme just a few weeks ago, French and German armed forces are now able to train their crews in a virtual environment that ensures full-mission readiness and strengthens flight safety.

For Rheinmetall Electronics and its partners, the contract to modernize the simulators in Le Luc, Fritzlar and Pau meant modifying them to match current configurations of the original aircraft: the Tiger Hélicoptère d’Appui et Destruction (HAD) Block 2 (France) and Kampfhubschrauber Tiger UHT Step 2 Krypto (Germany). Two new simulators were also installed in Phalsbourg, France. This bridged a training capability gap for the French 1st Helicopter Regiment.

With the modernization complete, 20 flight simulators are operating at various locations: eight full-mission simulators and 12 cockpit procedure simulators.

The contract encompassed modernization of the basic management system software, the updated ETCM navigation system and the mission equipment systems. It also included new cockpit hardware.

Tiger combat helicopter

Other measures included integration of the German Operational Support System (OSS) into the simulator for mission preparation and tactical training, coupled with modernization of the existing simulator technology by means of a new visual system, new visual data bases, new projectors for the display systems, and the replacement of obsolete computer technology.

The upgrade process culminated in a binational joint exercise at the EFA, binational school for aircrew training in Le Luc. This involved six simulated helicopters in twelve networked simulators.

Tiger simulators number among the world’s top-performing full-mission simulators for attack helicopters.

At the school in Le Luc, the focus is on flight and weapons training. In Fritzlar, Pau and Phalsbourg, the primary emphasis is on tactics.

Cooperation between Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH and Thales AVS France SAS continues with ongoing support of the twenty upgraded Tiger simulators.

“The updated system supplied by Thales and Rheinmetall offers full immersive conditions," said Bertrand Cornet, Project Manager for Germany and France at OCCAR.  "It combines a genuine Tiger cockpit, accurate aircraft behaviour and a tactical environment reflecting current operational missions. The completely transformed system architecture points the way to future trends in aircraft development."