PARS-3LR Completes System Validation for the German Army Tiger Helicopters

On 30th June 2006, the procurement contract for the PARS 3 LR precision fire-and-forget missiles was signed in Koblenz by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB), MBDA Deutschland and Diehl BGT Defence. The contract covers industrialization and delivery of 680 missiles for the German Army by the year 2014.

The contract for industrialisation and series production of the PARS 3 LR missiles will be managed by PARSYS, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland GmbH (50%) and Diehl BGT Defence (50%). Development of the overall PARS 3 LR system was formally completed in mid-2004. However, MBDA Deutschland has been manufacturing key components (electronics, launchers) of the PARS 3 LR system which have then been integrated by Eurocopter into the platform since the series production contract for the 80 Tiger helicopters was signed in 1998.

[nonmember]Subscribe to Defense-Update for more insight into the PARS-3LR Weapon System[/nonmember][ismember] PARS 3 LR is a fire-and-forget system that allows the helicopter to quit its position immediately after firing a missile, thereby limiting to the absolute minimum its exposure to the threat of retaliation. Salvo firing allows the engagement of up to four targets in less than 10 seconds. The infrared seeker head locks on to the target before firing (lock-on before launch) after the gunner has detected and identified the target via the optical system integrated into the Tiger’s mast mounted sight. The missile navigates to the target autonomously, at a speed up to 290 m/sec, without requiring further influencing or control from the gunner. After launch the missile continuously updates the impact point, and when the target is temporarily masked, the navigation system employing a prediction algorithm to lock-on the target as it reappears. The 10µ-technology employed in both the gunner’s sight and the seeker head and its technical layout and design enable unambiguous target identification and target designation at the maximum engagement distance of 7,000 m. Using tandem shaped charge, the warhead can penetrate up to 1,000 mm of steel armor after defeating an applique reactive armor.[/ismember]

While the German Army Aviation Corps is currently the only customer for the PARS 3LR, MBDA is hopeful that its new missile will be selected to equip the helicopters of the Indian Army, where it was short-listed against the Israeli Spike ER missile. MBDA has already demonstrated the PARS 3 LR in two firing campaigns, comprising six firings all of which struck their targets at the optimal hit point.

On the first test held in May 2011 MBDA conducted a successful series of test firing of the PARS 3LR guided anti-missile, carrying a live warhead. The missile was launched from a German Army Tiger helicopter. Three missiles were fired, scoring three hits. MBDA Deutschland conducted the campaign on the test range in Vidsel, Sweden. The three PARS 3 LR firings were part of a MBDA Deutschland export campaign. The guided missile system is on the short list for a procurement project of the Indian Army. MBDA’s PARS 3LR and RAFAEL Spike ER have already been shortlisted for the final phase of weapon selection for the Indian Army attack helicopters.

Two of the missiles were fired from hovering position, at an altitude of about 10 meters above treetops. The helicopter first fired at a stationary target around 7,000 m away. The second missile was fired just a few moments later at a target travelling at approximately 40 km/h., about 700 meters away. To make this shot, the Tiger turned 180° and assumed a firing position at an altitude of about 300 ft. Both PARS 3 LR missiles hit the targets precisely at their centers. The third missile was fired the next day while the Tiger was flying forward at high speed. The Tiger fired on a stationary target around 7,000 m away while the helicopter was flying at a speed of 180 km/. This guided missile also hit its target at the optimum point of impact.