Airbus Helicopters’ MRFH (Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter) Sea Tiger has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of an eight-week mission system test campaign conducted in Marignane from February to April 2024.
Photo: Airbus
This campaign focused on evaluating the Sea Tiger’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, a crucial aspect for its role with the German Navy. Key areas of assessment included the Thales FLASH SONICS dipping sonar, compatibility with active and passive acoustic buoys, and the integration of torpedoes.
Test flights involved realistic scenarios utilizing underwater targets, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the system’s functionality in detecting and engaging submerged threats. Notably, the campaign also encompassed successful trials with MBDA’s MARTE ER anti-surface missile, a weapon already operational on the NH90 helicopters of the Qatari Armed Forces.
The press release from Airbus emphasizes the exceptional collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and the German Navy as a critical factor in the campaign’s success. This cooperation extended to the flight crew, with an Airbus Helicopters pilot joined by a German Navy observer pilot, and a similar arrangement in the cabin with representatives from both parties. Ground support also mirrored this partnership, with German technicians working alongside their Airbus Helicopters counterparts in Marignane.
The Sea Tiger’s impressive availability during the campaign, exceeding 50 flight hours, is highlighted as a testament to the platform’s reliability. This accomplishment allowed for adherence to the pre-defined schedule established in September 2023, further underlining the program’s efficiency.
With the mission system test campaign successfully concluded, the Sea Tiger program progresses to its next major phase: a comprehensive demonstration planned for June to August 2024 at Nordholz, Germany. This demonstration will showcase the helicopter’s operational capabilities in a realistic mission scenario, encompassing simulated sonar deployments, torpedo launches, and missile firings. This first-of-its-kind test for a helicopter aims to validate the seamless integration of various onboard equipment within a complex operational environment.
The successful completion of the mission system test campaign signifies a significant step forward for the Sea Tiger program. The platform’s performance and the exceptional collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and the German Navy bode well for its upcoming operational deployment with the German Navy in 2025.
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