Airbus completes HForce firing tests

MARIGNANE, France, June 14 (UPI) -- Airbus Helicopters recently completed its first round of firing tests for the HForce generic weapons system, the company announced Monday.

Mounted on a H225M helicopter, the firings at a range in Belgium demonstrated the performance of the systems, ballistic weapons, electro-optical arrays and helmet mounted displays, Airbus Helicopters said in a statement.

The project is on track for qualification by the end of 2017, Airbus said.

It has been undergoing tests for the past five months and features Thales' Scorpion monocular helmet mounted sight display, a Wescam electro-optical system as well as gunner armament weapon grips and weapon pods.

The tests took place from May 25 to June 3 and involved 12.7mm guns, 70mm rockets and 20mm cannons, Airbus said.

HForce was launched two years ago and is a plug-and-play weapon management system that can be fitted onto any military version of Airbus Helicopters' commercial range, including the H125M, H145M and H225M.

It is designed for those defense agencies seeking light attack mission capabilities or a complement to existing specialized attack helicopters, Airbus said.