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    1. Commercial Aerospace

    Avionics systems from Thales fly on Tiger helicopter

    June 21, 2010
    NEUILLY SUR SEINE, 21 June 2010. Thales avionics systems are flying aboard Eurocopter's Tiger attack and armed reconnaissance helicopter.
    Posted by John McHale NEUILLY SUR SEINE, 21 June 2010. Thales avionics systems are flying aboard Eurocopter's Tiger attack and armed reconnaissance helicopter. The Tiger is equipped with Thales avionics and mission technology. These systems range from multi-function color cockpit displays with forward looking infrared (FLIR), map, and video images, to the TopOwl helmet-mounted sight display available on some variants, and to systems for flight and mission management, as well as for self-protection and firing. Thales supplies the MFD66 smart multipurpose electronic display in the Tiger cockpit. This full-color high-resolution fully integrated display is capable of providing synthetic and raster image for primary flight, navigation and tactical displays and systems, as well as engine monitoring. The multifunction display is compatible with night vision goggles and integrates in one panel-mounted LRU all the necessary functions for stand-alone operation, Thales officials say. These include the aircraft systems bus interface, data processor, and graphics generator. TopOwl is based on a concept that incorporates a night vision system with a 100 percent overlapping projection of a binocular image on the visor, Thales officials say. It enhances operational effectiveness by means of high accuracy head tracking symbology used to display flight and weapon management data and in turn help to reduce crew workload and to increase flight safety. TopOwl features day and night symbology, FLIR images (including high resolution), integrated image intensifier tubes (I2T), and a visor display. The system offers high-quality video image and graphic symbology that can be projected on to the periphery of the visor, leaving the central area free from visual obstruction. It is easily integrated with a full weapon suite (guns, rockets, air-to-air missiles), Thales officials say. A head position sensor used during target designation and weapon-firing sequences enhances precision. The aircraft is a multi-mission helicopter capable of carrying out day and night time missions in all-weather conditions. The Tiger has additional capabilities compared to other attack helicopters. These include measures for armed reconnaissance and escort, destruction, anti-tank, and fire support. The Tiger, of which France, Germany, Australia and Spain have ordered more than 200 models, has been in operation with the French Army in Afghanistan since August 2009, Thales officials say.

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