TAI/AgustaWestland T129

T129 ATAK
Turkish Army T129 at the 2014 ILA Berlin Air Show at Berlin Schönefeld Airport
Role Attack helicopter
National origin Italy and Turkey
Manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) / AgustaWestland
Leonardo-Finmeccanica (since 2016)
First flight 28 September 2009
Introduction 2014
Status In service
Primary user Turkish Army
Produced 2009–present
Number built 15[1][2]
Program cost US$3.2 billion[3]
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.[4]

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.[5][6]

Design and development

Origins

The ATAK programme was begun to meet the Turkish Armed Forces' requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter.[7] 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.[8][9] 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.[10][11][12]

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.[13] 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.[14] However, the T129's LHTEC CTS800-4N gives the United States a veto over any prospective export sales.[15]

The T129 was optimized for hot and high conditions.[16] It has several key improvements over the original A129 inline with the requirements of the Turkish Army.[17] The T129 will carry 12 Roketsan-developed UMTAS anti-tank missiles (Turkish indigenous development similar to Hellfire II).[18] 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.[19] 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.[20][21] MILDAR was successfully completed in February 2012.[22]

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.[23] These 50 T129s are to be designated T129B.[6] In November 2010, Turkey ordered an additional nine T129 helicopters to increase its total ordered to 60.[24][25] 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.[10][26] These T129s are designated T129A, lacking advanced anti-tank missiles. As a result of delays, the T129As entered service in 2014.[6]

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.[27] 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.[28][29] 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.[30]

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.[31] In August 2015, TAI formally delivered the batch of the first nine T129 ATAK helicopters to the Turkish Land Forces after completing qualification testing.[32]

Operational history

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.[2] 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.[33] Delivery of the final EDH-standard T129s took place on 31 July 2015.[34]

Future and potential operators

According to news reports Azerbaijan,[35] Bahrain,[36][37] Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan,[38] South Korea,[39] Poland[40] The Gambia,[41] United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines have shown interest in the T129.[42]

In 2011, Saudi Arabia asked Turkey to enter a tender to produce attack helicopters for the Saudi Air Force.[43] In July 2012, it was reported that the Philippines received an offer from Italy for AgustaWestland attack helicopters (either A129 or T129).[44]

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.[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] Despite generous financial terms offered by Turkey, Pakistan chose to pursue the Mi-35 Hind.[49]

TAI hopes to launch talks for the sale of the T129 to the Libyan National Army[50] and Polish Land Forces.[51]

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.[52] Six helicopters have been delivered to the Turkish Army. The T129As are to be upgraded to the T129B standard.[6]
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.[6]

Operators

 Turkey

 Pakistan

Specifications (T129)

Data from AgustaWestland T129 data,[56] others[57][58]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

  1. ↑ -Tainin Sesi, June 2016
  2. 1 2 Turkey inducts EDH-standard T129 attack helicopters - Flightglobal.com, 1 May 2014
  3. ↑ 2010 Annual Report, p. 46, Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (Turkish) Retrieved 28 July 2011
  4. ↑ http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newstai-to-offer-t129-for-polands-combat-helicopter-procurement-programme-4804422[]
  5. ↑ http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/t129-atak-completes-first-demo-flights-in-poland.html
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 https://www.tai.com.tr/en/project/atak
  7. ↑ "T129 Attack Helicopter". Army-Technology.com. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter Procurement Program". Turkey Undersecretariat for Defence Industries
  9. ↑ "Turkey Announces the Start of Contract Negotiations With AgustaWestland for the ATAK Project". AgustaWestland, 31 March 2007.
  10. 1 2 "Turkey Finally Lands Its Attack Helicopters". Defense Industry Daily, 28 March 2012.
  11. ↑ Ozbek, Tolga. "AgustaWestland 129 to be model for Turkish ATAK". Flight International, 14 September 2007.
  12. ↑ T-129 ATAK page. Turkish Aerospace Industries
  13. ↑ TEI News 2010, p. 7, Tusaş Engine Industries, Inc.
  14. ↑ (Turkish) "ATAK Helikopter Projesi'nde mutlu son". Milliyet, 22 June 2008.
  15. ↑ Ege Bekdil, Burak. "TAI's T129 Export Hopes Hinge on US License." Defense News, 26 July 2015.
  16. ↑ https://www.tai.com.tr/en/basin-bultenleri/tai-displays-t129-atak-helicopter-at-bias-2014
  17. ↑ Verification on T-129 and modifications
  18. ↑ Defense Technology International, September 2007. p. 46., Aviation Week.
  19. ↑ T129 ATAK Multirole Combat Helicopter. TAI
  20. ↑ Kara Hedef Angajmanı İçin Milimetrik Dalga Radar Teknikleri Geliştirilmesi Projesi Sözleşmesi İmza Töreni, 16 Temmuz 2007.
  21. ↑ MILDAR (Milimeter Wave Radar) Capabilities. meteksansavunma.com.tr
  22. ↑ "MILDAR Projesi Süresinde ve Bütçesi İçinde Başarı ile Tamamlandı". Meteksan. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  23. ↑ Savunma ve Havacılık (Defence and Aerospace) magazine. Issue no: 122. October 2007. pp. 26-28.
  24. ↑ "Turkey Orders Nine More T129 Helicopters For The Land Forces Command". AgustaWestland, 8 November 2010.
  25. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "Turkey signs for more T129 attack helicopters ". Flight International, 9 November 2010.
  26. ↑ "Seeking Top Role in Turkey". Defense News, 29 November 2010, p. 26.
  27. ↑ "ATAK team flies first T129 prototype". Flight Global.
  28. ↑ PICTURE: Turkey's first T129 attack helicopter crashes
  29. ↑ ASN Wikibase Occurrence #73522, Aviation Safety Network, 21 March 2010.
  30. ↑ . TAI press release
  31. ↑ "T-129 not meeting requirements, requirements are changing". Kokpit.aero, 22 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "TAI marks Turkish T129 ATAK milestone". Shephardmedia.com, 18 August 2015.
  33. ↑ Two Turkish-made T-129 combat helicopters deployed for the first time in operation - Airrecognition.com, 4 May 2015.
  34. ↑ Stevenson, Beth. "TAI completes deliveries of first T129 batch to Turkish army." Flight International, 17 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "Azerbaijan to buy Turkish military helicopters"
  36. ↑ http://kokpit.aero/t-129-atak-helikopteri-bahreyn-havacilik-fuarinda
  37. ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/48238/bahraini-air-force-details-modernisation-plans
  38. ↑ "Turkey wants to offer TAI T-129 attack helicopter to Pakistan". October 15, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Korea-Turkey Procurement Imbalance"
  40. ↑ http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/quote-the-raven-polands-attack-helicopter-competition-026306/
  41. ↑ http://kokpit.aero/gambiya-cumhurbaskani-tai-ziyaret-etti
  42. ↑ "Turkey Presses Ahead with its Attack Helicopter Project". jamestown.org, 29 September 2009.
  43. ↑ Harvey, Benjamin (21 September 2011). "Turkey Asked to Compete in Saudi Helicopter Bid, Sabah Says". Bloomberg.
  44. ↑ Cohen, Michael and James Hardy. "Philippine air chief says Italy will provide attack helicopters" Jane's Information Group, 20 July 2012.
  45. ↑ HaberTurk, "Atak in news". Haberturk, 30 January 2013.
  46. ↑ Song, Sang-ho (17 April 2013). "Seoul to Purchase 36 Apache Helicopters". Korea Herald.
  47. ↑ http://en.trend.az/news/politics/2115201.html
  48. ↑ "TAI refutes reports that Azerbaijan ordered 60 T-129 ATAK helicopters". APA.az, 4 February 2013.
  49. ↑ Pakistan Wins Approval To Purchase Mi-35 Helo - Defensenews.com, 13 November 2014
  50. ↑ Libya; TAI offers T.129 attack helicopter, Hurkus-B - Dmilt.com, 10 January 2014
  51. ↑ - DefenceNews, 17 May 2015
  52. ↑ "Turkey close to receiving first interim T129 attack helicopters". Flight International, 3 April 2012.
  53. ↑ "15'inci "ATAK" envantere girdi". SVT | Savunma ve Teknoloji. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  54. ↑ "World Air Forces 2016". Flightglobal, Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  55. ↑ "TURKEY TO GIVE PAKISTAN 40 MODERN FIGHTER HELICOPTERS". SVT.
  56. ↑ T129 Technical Data. AgustaWestland.
  57. ↑
  58. ↑ http://kokpit.aero/yeni-cobralar-geldi-taarruz-filosu-buyuyor
  59. ↑ https://www.tai.com.tr/tr/proje/atak
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