Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) completed the delivery of the first fleet (9 helicopters) of T129 ATAK Multirole Combat Helicopter on July 31, 2015.
T129 ATAK is now ready to meet a range of new export opportunities and requirements in the worldwide market. The successful delivery of the first fleet of helicopters is a major milestone for the Turkish Aerospace and Defence Industry in terms of design, development and international collaboration. This latest accomplishment provides further evidence of the successful cooperation between Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) as a procurement agency, Turkish Land Forces as an end user, TAI as a prime contractor and subcontractors with the development and delivery of the most advanced combat helicopter in its class. As an outcome of the endorsement provided by the Turkish Armed Forces, the already strong international interest in the T129 ATAK as a superior alternative is expected to intensify.
Having completed the delivery of first fleet (nine helicopters) the delivered helicopters are now being used effectively in operational theatres for the Turkish Land Forces.
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 |
