Australia to buy Eurocopter Tiger

We here in Aus only used to have the good old Bell Model 206s and UH-1Hs. But now were are getting the Eurocopter "Aussie" Tiger.

We had three major tenders to choose from:
Boeing offered the AH-64D Apache;
Bell Helicopter Textron put forward the ARH-1Z Taipan;
Agusta offered the A- 1 29 Scorpion.

But for some reason the Australian Defence Force chose the Eurocopter.
It may have to do with the price tag of A$1.3 billion (US$657.9 million) for 22 aircraft.


What we get with the Tiger:

Sensors
Array of reconnaissance/surveillance sensors and targeting systems in a gyro-stabilised SGIM Strix roof-mounted sight, including a second-generation infrared charge coupled device camera, a TV-camera and a laser rangefinder/designator. Additionally, each crew member will be equipped with a Sextant Topbowl Helmet-Mounted Sight/Display with integrated image intensifier for night operations.

Armament
Giat 30-M781 30mm automatic cannon integrated into the THL 30 chinmounted turret; AGM- 1 14 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles; and pods of CRV-7 70mm unguided rockets. Although not a high-priority Air 87 requirement, an air-to-air missile, either Stinger or the BAe Matra Dynamics Mistral, can be carried.

Specs

EUROCOPTER 665 TIGER:
_____________________ _________________ _______________________

spec metric english
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main rotor diameter 13.0 meters 42 feet 8 inches
tail rotor diameter 2.7 meters 8 feet 10 inches
fuselage length 14 meters 45 feet 11 inches
footprint length 15.8 meters 51 feet 10 inches
height (tail rotor) 4.32 meters 14 feet 2 inches
height (rotor head) 5.2 meters 17 feet 1 inch

empty weight 3,060 kilograms 6,747 pounds
max loaded weight 6,000 kilograms 13,227 pounds

maximum speed 320 KPH 200 MPH / 174 KT
hover ceiling 2,000 meters 6,560 feet
range 725 kilometers 450 MI / 390 NMI
endurance > 3 hours

So what do you guys think? Should we have gone with the other tenderers on offer?

check out this thread

ATTACK HELICOPTERS - Apache vs Aussie Tiger

God dammit, a perfect example for the saying 'do a search'.

Sorry guys I was just werapped up in the topic with a friend and thought I would whack it up here.