German defense contractor Rheinmetall has teamed up with Thales to jointly offer the latter’s 70 mm guided rocket systems for the Tiger MK3 upgrade program in Germany.
The Tiger MK3 upgrade is an international undertaking that will see Germany, France, Australia, and Spain work together on upgrading the helicopters from 2023.
Rheinmetall and Thales said they would propose important complementary capabilities with a guided rocket in “lock-on-before-launch” mode, additional communication between the rocket system and the platform, identification, and remote control.
The two sides would also explore the potential to offer the systems for other platforms in the German Armed Forces.
The Thales 70mm rocket systems are currently used on the Spanish and German versions of the Tiger helicopters and under certification on Airbus Helicopters H145M.
“This strengthening of the collaboration in Germany between Thales and Rheinmetall is good news for both groups. We will provide our expertise with the 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems, which equip already many platforms in the world, and Rheinmetall the knowledge of the German customer,” Stéphane Bianchi, director of the Airborne Armament business segment, Thales.
“This is a true win-win, at a time when Airbus Helicopters is developing its Tiger MK3 version.”
