Citing failure to achieve initial operational capability, Australia’s Defense Material Organization said it stopped payment to Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace on the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter acquisition effective June 1. It said the contract defined initial operational capability as the ability to conduct collective training, adding that program delays have slowed development of simulators “and the establishment of Australian-based training.” It has accepted seven of 22 Tigers and more than 1,500 hr have been flown in training and testing. Despite the action, the agency said it “is confident that the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Project will deliver the contracted capability.” FFor related news