The Tiger is a medium weight attack helicopter designed and built by Eurocopter. Conceived in 1984 following a requirement from the French and German governments for a new, advanced multi-role attack helicopter, the Tiger did not become a reality for another five years due to cost constraints. Aerospatiale and MBB (later to become Eurocopter in 1992) received contracts in 1989 to build five prototypes, the first of which flew in 1991.

Full-scale production of the Tiger began in 2002, with the first production models delivered to the French and German armed forces in late 2003.

Powered by twin Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca/MTU MTR390 turboshafts, the Tiger has a top speed of 150kt (280km/h) and a range of 800km (432nm). Its body, comprised mainly of carbon fibre reinforced polymer and Kevlar, is capable of withstanding 23mm cannon fire and is embedded with a copper and bronze grid to protect it from both lightning and electromagnetic pulses (EMP).

In service with the armed forces of Australia, France, Germany and Spain in four guises (ARH, HAD, HAP and UHT), the Tiger comes with a variety of armaments, including a 30mm chin-mounted GIAT cannon (or an optional 12.7mm/20mm cannon on the UHT), up to 19 70mm unguided rockets and a variety of guided missiles, including Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles.

Did you know?

A prototype Eurocopter Tiger appeared in the 1995 Bond film Goldeneye.