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G’day lads. I want to suggest an obscure EC-665 variant, which is meant to be purely against tanks, but also failed for that specific role, which was all done by the EC-665 Tigre HAC (Hélicoptère Anti Char)
Description:
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The EC-665 Tigre HAC, meaning Hélicoptère Anti Char, translated to “Anti Tank Helicopter”, was a failed attempt to make a purely anti-tank focused Tiger, and choosing the HAD instead after Spain wanted them too. The HAC is similar to the UHT, the only difference being it having Mistrals and a different designation for it’s main missile, that being the TRIGAT, or also known as PARS in Germany. Sadly, it never entered production, as other multirole Tigers such as the HAD were preferred.
History:
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During 1984, the French and West German governments issued a requirement for an advanced anti-tank helicopter. The initial plan was for both countries to procure a total of 427 helicopters, with the West Germans acquiring 212 models of the anti-tank variant named PAH-2 (Panzerabwehrhubschrauber, in English “Anti-tank helicopter”), and the French wanting 75 HAPs (Hélicoptère d’Appui Protection, in English “Support and Escort Helicopter”) and 140 HACs (Hélicoptère Anti Char, in English “Anti Tank Helicopter”).
The development program was effectively canceled during 1986 due to spiraling costs. It was calculated that supplying the German forces with an equivalent number of US-produced McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache attack helicopters would have been considerably cheaper.
But that Apache idea didn’t last very long, as in 1987, the project was restarted, and in late 1989, five prototypes were contracted. During Le Bourget 1991, a prototype was shown (yes, it’s not a mockup, it’s a prototype, literally confirmed by the French Army). That prototype was none other than the HAC, displaying TRIGAT, Mistrals, and other weapons. It was shown during other Le Bourget events too.
However, after Spain decided to order HAD instead of HAC Eurocopters in 2003, France decided to stop any production of the aircraft, stopping any progression of it.
Oh, and it was also seen on GoldenEye (the film and game), so there’s that.
Armaments:
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TRIGAT ATGM
Mistral AAM
Possibly Stinger AAM
SNEB Type 23 unguided rockets
Mighty Mouse unguided rockets
20mm gunpod
12.7mm gunpod
A MLU variant was planned, giving it a mast-mounted automatic air surveillance and warning system, in the form of DAV pulse Doppler radar, together with HUMS and an IR jammer
Specifications:
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The HAC has the main rotor diameter of 13m, a length of 15.80m and a height of 5.20m. It’s max takeoff weight is around 6300kg. It is powered by 2 MTU/Rolls-Royce/Turboméca MTM 390 1200hp engines, making it have a cruising speed of 250km/h.
Sources:
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Eurocopter EC665 Tigre — Wikipédia
Eurocopter "Tiger" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, as this vehicle is quite obscure, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)
