Page 36 - HeliOps Frontline Issue 26

36 HELIOPS FRONTLINE / ISSUE 26 / 2019

5.0 mi (8,000 m) with a penetration of about 39in replace the Puma in the long term. The first NH90
(1,000 mm) of armor. Spain ordered 24 in 2004, Final Operational Capability (FOC) aircraft was
with the first two delivered in 2014 delivered in 2012 followed a year later with the
In 2015 France decided to upgrade its entire official hand over to 1RHC in Phalsbourg.
Tiger fleet to the HAD standard by 2025, also Since 1973 the ALAT has operated the single
placing an order for seven additional new aircraft, engine light multi-role Gazelle in a number of
the first 36 retrofitted were delivered in 2017. This variants and in spite of their age, as with the
retrofit involves performing over 100 airframe Puma, it is planned to remain in service providing
modifications and installing two new enhanced support for ground troops until 2030. The
MTR390E engines, an Identification Friend or Foe current SA342M variant is NVG compatible and
(IFF) interrogator, improved ballistic protection primarily an anti-tank aircraft capable of carrying
and a new electronic warfare system. A new STRIX four tube-launched MBDA HOT missiles. It was
optical sighting system is installed complete originally fitted with the SFIM APX M397 sighting
with a laser designator to allow the aircraft to system but has been upgraded with the SAFRAN
be armed with eight Lockheed Martin Hellfire II Viviane sight. This is a stabilized roof mounted
missiles. The ALAT will eventually receive a total sight with a through the lens direct view or an
of 80 machines which will be configured to fire infrared image and a laser rangefinder effective
both the Mistral and Hellfire. to 3 miles (5km). It is mounted above the systems
The SA330B Puma has been the main troop operator and required structural reinforcement to
transport aircraft for the ALAT since the 1970s and the roof due to the sights increased weight and
has gone through a number of upgrades including the main blades from the AS350 were retrofitted
composite blades, the addition of a defensive aids to the Gazelle to increase performance and
suite and a communications upgrade; they plan MTOW of the aircraft
to continue flying the Puma until 2030. In 2007 The Apache AH1 is an AgustaWestland
the French government ordered 34 NH90 TTHs to license-built version of the Boeing AH-64D