TAI/AgustaWestland T129

T129 ATAK
Role	Attack helicopter
National origin	Italy and Turkey
Manufacturer	Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) / AgustaWestland Leonardo (since 2017)
First flight	28 September 2009
Introduction	2014
Status	In service
Primary user	Turkish Army
Produced	2009–present
Number built	21[1][2][3]
Program cost	US$3.2 billion[4]
Developed from	Agusta A129 Mangusta

The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform. The T129 was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with partner AgustaWestland. The helicopter is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.^[5]

The ATAK programme was begun to meet the Turkish Armed Forces' requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter. The T129 is the result of the integration of Turkish developed high-tech avionics, air-frame modifications, and weapon systems onto the combat proven AgustaWestland A129 airframe, with upgraded engines, transmission and rotor blades. It is in use by the Turkish Army, and is being offered to other services.^[6][7]

Design and development

Origins

The ATAK programme was begun to meet the Turkish Armed Forces' requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter.^[8] Turkey announced on 30 March 2007 that it had decided to negotiate with AgustaWestland to co-develop and produce 51 (with 40 options) attack helicopters based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta.^[9][10] It is to be assembled in Turkey by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as the T129. On 7 September 2007, a $1.2 billion contract was signed.^[11][12][13]

On 22 June 2008, the agreement between TUSAS Aerospace Industries (TAI) and AgustaWestland formally entered into force. Under the agreement, TAI will develop an indigenous mission computer, avionics, weapons systems, self-protection suites and the helmet-mounting cuing systems. Tusaş Engine Industries (TEI) will manufacture the LHTEC CTS800-4N engines under licence.^[14] Under the agreement, Turkey has full marketing and intellectual property rights for the T129 platform; Turkey can export also the platform to third party nations, excluding Italy and the United Kingdom.^[15] However, the T129's LHTEC CTS800-4N gives the United States a veto over any prospective export sales.^[16]

The T129 was optimized for hot and high conditions.^[17] It has several key improvements over the original A129 inline with the requirements of the Turkish Army.^[18] The T129 will carry 12 Roketsan-developed UMTAS anti-tank missiles (Turkish indigenous development similar to Hellfire II).^[19] The T129 features a 20 mm gatling-style cannon in a nose turret. It can carry a combination of 70 mm rocket pods, Stinger air-air missile pods, and gun pods on its stub wing pylons.^[20] Electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system was designed by ASELSAN. On 16 July 2007, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Meteksan Savunma Sanayii AŞ and Bilkent University formed a consortium to develop an advanced millimetre wave radar (MILDAR), similar to the Longbow and the IAI/ELTA radars, intended to enter service in 2009.^[21][22] MILDAR was successfully completed in February 2012.^[23]

In 2007, it was reported that one helicopter will be kept by the Turkish Ministry of Defense and used as a test-bed for systems development. The remaining 50 helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish Army. An optional 40 further T129 helicopters will be produced if necessary.^[24] These 50 T129s are to be designated T129B.^[7] In November 2010, Turkey ordered an additional nine T129 helicopters to increase its total ordered to 60.^[25][26] These T129s were for an urgent Turkish Army operational requirement and was built by TAI for delivery in 2012, one year prior to the delivery of the previously ordered 51 helicopters.^[11][27] These T129s are designated T129A, lacking advanced anti-tank missiles. As a result of delays, the T129As entered service in 2014.^[7]

Flight testing

TAI T129 "1001" on display at the 2014 Farnborough Air Display

On 28 September 2009, the T129's maiden flight took place when P1 prototype flew at AgustaWestland's facilities in Vergiate, Italy.^[28] On 19 March 2010, the first T129 prototype (P1) conducted high altitude hover tests near Verbania, Italy following the completion of several successful test flights. During the hover test, T129 P1 lost its tail rotor at 15,000 feet. Test pilot Cassioli regained enough control to steer away from residential area before crashing; the crew escaped without serious injuries.^[29][30] On 17 August 2011, TIA announced the first successful flight of the T129 prototype "P6", the first of three prototypes to be assembled in Turkey.^[31]

In 2013, media reports claimed that the first batch of helicopters delivered to Turkish Army for trials did not meet the requirements of the contract, specifically in terms of "vibration, balance, weight". The T129 was nose-heavy; to resolve this, 137 kg was added to the tail, causing the total weight to exceed the specified requirement. The higher weight may decrease the T129's service ceiling, which is detrimental for operating under hot and high conditions, like those found in Southeastern Anatolia. The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries will adjust the contract in accordance. Experts expect weight reductions as development continues.^[32] In August 2015, TAI formally delivered the batch of the first nine T129 ATAK helicopters to the Turkish Land Forces after completing qualification testing.^[33]

Operational history

T129 at Paris Air Show, 2017

In May 2014, the Turkish Army formally inducted the first nine T129s into service; these initial rotorcraft were to a less advanced interim EDH A-model variant, intended to replace some of the ageing AH-1s in use prior to the introduction of the more capable T129B variant to service.^[3] On 25 April 2015, a pair of T129s were used in combat for the first time in a counter-terrorism operation in the Turkish province of Siirt.^[34] Delivery of the final EDH-standard T129s took place on 31 July 2015.^[35]

Future and potential operators

According to 2009 news reports Azerbaijan,^[36] Bahrain,^[37][38] Jordan, Malaysia, Poland,^[39] The Gambia,^[40] and the United Arab Emirates have shown interest in the T129.^[41]

In 2011, Saudi Arabia asked Turkey to enter a tender to produce attack helicopters for the Saudi Air Force.^[42] In July 2012, it was reported that the Philippines received an offer from Italy for AgustaWestland attack helicopters (either A129 or T129).^[43]

In January 2013, a media report stated that South Korea's attack helicopter competition included the T129 in the final three bidders with the Bell AH-1Z Viper and the Boeing AH-64 Apache.^[44][45] However, the AH-64E Apache was chosen in April 2013.^[46] Media reports in February 2013 indicated Azerbaijan had ordered 60 T129 helicopters, however it was later denied by TAI.^[47][48]

Turkey has been lobbying to win the contract to replace Pakistan's aging AH-1F fleet. Such a sale would require US approval. Meanwhile, the US itself has been contemplating making Pakistan a competing offer for helicopters.^[49] In 2014, Pakistan chose to pursue the Mi-35 Hind.^[50] There was renewed interest by Pakistan in 2016; it tested a T129 in June 2016.^[51][52][53] In May 2017, Pakistan and Turkey entered into an agreement to establish an assembly line in the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra to produce T129s.^[54]

TAI hopes to launch talks for the sale of the T129 to the Libyan National Army^[55] and Polish Land Forces.^[56]

Variants

T129A EDH (Erken Duhul Helikopteri or Early Delivery Helicopter)

T129A is the "combat support" version equipped with a 20 mm gatling gun and rounds and can carry 70 mm (2.75 in) rockets; nine T129As have been ordered.^[57] Six helicopters have been delivered to the Turkish Army. The T129As are to be upgraded to the T129B standard.^[7]

T129B

T129B is the "multi-role" version equipped with the leading edge electronic warfare systems. 51 helicopters are to be produced, with one to be used as a weapons testbed. The T129B is armed with a 20 mm gatling gun and can carry a payload of 8 UMTAS, 12 Roketsan CIRIT, and 2 AIM-92 Stinger missiles.^[7]

Operators

 Turkey

• Turkish Army – 21 in service, out of 50 total on order. 40 additional units for option.^[58][59][60]

Specifications (T129)

Data from AgustaWestland T129 data,^[61] others^[62][63]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: pilot and co-pilot/gunner
• Length: 13.45 m (44 ft 1 in)
• Rotor diameter: 11.90 m (39 ft 0 in)
• Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
• Disc area: 111.22 m² (1,197.25 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,350 kg ()
• Max. takeoff weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft, 1,014 kW (1,361 shp) each
• Propellers: 5-bladed main rotor

Performance

• Maximum speed: 278 km/h (151 knots, 174 mph)
• Cruise speed: 269 km/h (145 knots, 167 mph)
• Range: 561 km (303 nmi, 341 mi)
• Ferry range: 1,000 km (540 nmi, 620 mi)
• Service ceiling: 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 14.0 m/s (2,750 ft/min)

Armament

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) three-barrel gatling-type cannon (500 rounds)
• Hardpoints: 4  and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: maximum 4 pods with
    • 38× 81 mm (3.19 in) unguided rockets or
    • 76× 70 mm (2.75 in) unguided rockets or
    • 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine gun pod
  • Missiles:
    
    • 8× AGM-114 Hellfire, BGM-71 TOW, Hydra 70, Spike-ER, UMTAS, OMTAS, anti-tank and anti-armor missiles and Sura D/Snora.
    • 12x Roketsan Cirit
    • 2× AIM-92 Stinger or Mistral or AIM-9 Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles^[64]

See also

Related development

• Agusta A129 Mangusta

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Bell AH-1 SuperCobra
• CAIC Z-10
• Denel Rooivalk
• Eurocopter Tiger
• HAL Light Combat Helicopter

Related lists

• List of attack aircraft
• List of rotorcraft

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to T129 ATAK.

• T129 ATAK page on TAI.com.tr
• T129 page on leonardocompany.com