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10. April 2009

The Tiger HAP (Hélicoptère d’appui et protection) passed the Initial Operational Capability tests

The Tiger HAP

After having obtained its Final Qualification in December 2008 allowing the Tiger HAP to enter into operational service, the granting of its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was proposed to the French Army Staff on the 10th April 2009.

The release of this official proposal has been made possible after:

  • A comprehensive review held on 3rd April 2009 at STAT (Section technique de l’Armée de Terre) Premises in Versailles of the actual operational performances of the weapons system, the logistic support put in place and the doctrine studies carried out,
  • and, on the other hand, the success of the gun firing by the 5°RHC with the “HAP Std1 Ready to Deploy” on 9th April 2009 in Captieux under the monitoring of Gal Jumelet, the current 4°Airmobile Brigade Commander.

The recognition of this IOC will open the doors for the deployment of a module of 3 Tiger HAP at any operational theater and this for a long period.

The proposal for the Full Operational Capability (FOC) will be made when the full autonomous support to the helicopter will be established and is expected by the end of 2010.