Weapon team

has teamed up with French airborne systems integrator ATE to design, develop and manufacture a Stand-Alone Weapon System (SAWS) for use in its light and medium helicopter range.

According to Eurocopter, the systems are intended to address the increasing demand for helicopters that have a weapons system to match current and evolving mission scenarios.

With SAWS, missions, including close air support, airtime patrol and armed reconnaissance, are said to be possible.

The modular SAWS are made up of a mission and firing control computer, controls and components to allow the crew to interface with the platform, a choice of sensors, and a choice of guided and unguided weapons.

The systems are being exhibited at the Paris Air Show this week.