MBDA to Develop New Missile for Tiger Helicopter

The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly announced today that MBDA will develop the Air-Ground Tactical-Future Missile (MAST-F) program to be the Army's Tiger helicopters.

MBDA was selected by proposing its MHT / MLP (High Frame Missile / Long Range Missile) concept to the Directorate General for Armament (DGA), based on MMP technologies, the first 5th generation land combat missile in service in the world. Its modular architecture will make it possible to easily integrate the MHT / MLP on various combat platforms, land or air, beyond the Tiger, the company said in a statement today.

MHT / MLP is characterized by high operational efficiency. Its mass 20% less compared to missiles in its category, results in a mass gain of nearly 100 kg for the Tiger helicopter which can carry up to 8 missiles in combat configuration, mass gain which can be achieved to the benefit of the fuel efficiency and endurance of the platform with a significant gain in "Playtime".

The range of the MHT / MLP exceeds 8 kilometers, even when pulled from a stationary platform at low altitude. Its military load with multiple effects makes it possible to treat a wide variety of targets ranging from modern combat tanks to reinforced infrastructures. The MHT / MLP can be used day or night, including shots beyond direct sight. This is made possible by a two-way data link that sends images from the missile's high-resolution visible and infrared optronic sensors back to the operator. Thanks to this image feedback, the Tiger crew will be able to choose the point of impact of the missile on the targeted objective, with the ability, if necessary, to reorient the missile in flight, which makes it possible to consider the use of the weapon in nesting contexts.