Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), Turkey’s center of excellence in defence and aerospace industries and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), one of the largest defence groups in Europe comprising over 60 companies held a workshop on February 3rd, 2016 in Radom with 15 Turkish-Polish Defence Industry companies, regarding the possible cooperation on KRUK Combat Helicopter Procurement Program of the Polish Armament Inspectorate.

With long experience in merging and integrating the capabilities of local and global companies, TAI is now exploring the opportunity to cooperate with Polish companies with unique and exclusive qualifications in order to bring the already proven capabilities of the «T129 ATAK Multi-Role Combat Helicopter» to new heights, through the KRUK Program. As indicated and underlined repeatedly by TAI and several Turkish Defense Industry company representatives from the outset of the KRUK Program, TAI is ready to fine tune its combat proven T129 ATAK Helicopter platform to satisfy the specific requirements of the Polish end-user, through integrating distinguished Polish suppliers into its supply chain.

TAI has accumulated a vast level of experience in working on advanced defence projects with global players. From the very beginning of involvement in Poland, TAI ensures that cooperation with the PGZ Group into KRUK Program or other common projects will be focused on maximizing the benefits for the Polish defense and industry.

TAI is a global player in defence and aerospace industries through its capabilities in design, development, modernization, manufacturing, integration and life cycle support of integrated aerospace systems, from fixed and rotary wing air platforms to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and space systems. The widespread product and activity range of TAI is an indication that this newly blossoming cooperation between TAI and Polish industry will not be limited to the KRUK Program. It will be a sustainable, long-term win-win relationship in which all parties will find opportunities to advance their business goals in local and global markets in the medium run.

PGZ is pursuing a strategy to develop the highest capabilities of the Polish Defence Industry as well as its competitiveness on global markets. Through the passion and vision to become a leading manufacturer of high-technology equipment, PGZ is proved to be a strong business partner in Poland by forming a base for key competencies across the group’s 60+ companies and its 17,500 workforce.

 

T129 ATAK advanced attack helicopter

T129 ATAK is a new generation, tandem two-seat, twin-engine helicopter specifically designed for attack and reconnaissance purposes. T129 ATAK, developed from the combat proven AgustaWestland A129CBT, incorporates totally new system philosophy with new engines (LHTEC CTS 800-4A), new avionics, visionics and weapons, modified airframe, uprated drive train and new tail rotor.

The T129 ATAK is the helicopter selected in 2007 by the Government of Turkey for the Turkish Land Forces; development and production will be assured by the «ATAK Team», a Joint Partnership of Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. and AgustaWestland. The first TAI-manufactured helicopter was delivered to Turkish Land Forces by the end of April 2014.

T129 ATAK has been optimized to meet and exceed the «high and hot» performance requirements for harsh geographical and environmental conditions while providing the following key characteristics:

• Day & night all environment capability; effective, precise weapon systems that provide combat superiority while low visual, aural, radar and IR signatures, high level of crashworthiness and ballistic tolerance provide high battlefield survivability.
• Excellent situational awareness through good visibility arcs and fully integrated mission and communication systems.
• Eased crew workloads through superior performance, agility and platform stability and handling qualities.
• Reduced Preparation Time augmented by off-board Mission Planning System and reduced take-off time.
• Low operating cost through effective design and on-condition maintenance.

T129 ATAK could be provided with MIZRAK ATGMs, and CIRIT (70-mm Guided Rockets) designed for Turkish Armed Forces. Further armament options include Hellfire and Spike ATGMs, Stinger A/A missiles. A new Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system increases image quality and range performance with real-time image processing and multiple target tracking with high resolution thermal camera, laser rangefinder, designator and spot tracker. The relatively small radar cross section and state of the art systems counter measure systems help to provide high battlefield survivability, low visual, aural, radar and IR signatures.

 

Technical Specifications

Powerplant	LHTEC CTS-800 4A, 2×1,014 kW/2×1,361 shp
Maximum Design Gross Weight	11,023 lbs/5,000 kg
Length	44.75 feet/13.64 m
Main Rotor Diameter	39 feet/11.9 m
Overall Height	13 feet/3.96 m
Crew	2, Tandem
Cruise Speed	145 knots/167 mph/269 km/h
Range	303 NM/349 miles/561 km
Hovering In Ground Effect (HIGE)	13,100 feet/3,993 m
Hovering Out of Ground Effect (HOGE)	10,000 feet/3,048 m
Service Ceiling	20,000 feet/6,096 m
Endurance	3 hrs (standard tank)
Armaments	2×4 UMTAS ATGM Missile (or Hellfire or Spike)
	4×19 70-mm (2.75”) Unguided Rockets
	4×2-4 70-mm (2.75”) Guided CIRIT Rockets
	2×2 ATAM Stinger