The TAI T-129 (ATAK) is a Turkish attack helicopter project aimed at supplying the Turkish Army with a modern battlefield performer to complement its existing armored and mechanized forces. The aircraft is based on the successful Italian AgustaWestland AW129 "Mangusta" ("Mongoose") serving with the Italian Army. Despite the obvious ties to the Italian concern and its AW129 design, the T-129 program is largely an indigenous Turkish endeavor headed up by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with AgustaWestland being retained as the prime contractor (AgustaWestland designates the T-129 as the "AW729"). Aselsan, developer of Turkish military communications and electronics systems, is also onboard as a participating project contributor. First flight of the T-129 was recorded on September 28th, 2009 with development and flight testing ongoing as of this writing (2012). It is expected that the helicopter will achieve operational service sometime in 2013 barring any unforeseen delays. The engines will be locally-produced under license as well. The end-product will also be offered up for export as TAI will hold the rights to the finalized T-129 design. Saudi Arabia is a possible future customer of the T-129 despite their stock of American Hughes AH-64 Apache attack systems already in place (the Apache holds origins dating back to the 1970s). Several other nations have indicated their interest in acquiring the TAI product and up to three prototypes have been completed to date (2012).
Unable to generate much foreign interest for its new attack helicopter requirement, Turkish authorities inked an arrangement with the Italian concern of AgustaWestland to produce an evolved form of its Agusta A129 "Mangusta International" variant that introduced several notable - and beneficial - changes. The original A129 first flew in September of 1983 and was entering frontline service with the Italian Army by the end of the decade. The design marked a milestone in European aviation as it became the first wholly-European attack helicopter to be completed and accepted for operational service. The type has since soldiered on through approximately 60 examples delivered and the helicopter has taken part in several UN-related peace-keeping missions including action in Afghanistan following the fall of the Taliban after 9-11. A few varied forms of the A129 eventually emerged and among these was the A129 "International". This variant introduced a new five-bladed main rotor assembly as well as the M197 Gatling-type cannon coupled to a chin turret. LHTEC T800 series engines were installed and avionics were modernized to compensate for the ever-changing nature of the battlefield. Support for the American Hellfire ATGM and Stinger SAM missile systems was also brought to fruition. In September of 2007, the deal between Turkey and Agusta was finalized to bring the army an evolved form of the Italian product to be developed and produced in Turkey utilizing various locally-designed systems and subsystems in accordance with Turkish Army needs. The program would fall under the local designation of "ATAK" for obvious reasons.
Once in service, the T-129 is expected to be utilized in typical "attack helicopter" roles - anti-armor sorties, armed reconnaissance/patrol, seek-and-destroy and close-air support for accompanying ground forces. Due to the nature of its combat role (low-altitude with possible ground fire exposure), the T-129 will be armored at her critical areas, reveal a low radar signature and sport increased crew survivability through its inherently crash-worthy design. Mission turn-around times and logistical requirements will be designed with minimal effort to help keep crew and aircraft armed and flying during times of war even when operating far from forward bases.
Technical specifications of the T-129 include a take-off weight of 11,023lb with a fuselage running length of 41 feet, an overall height of 11.2 feet and rotor diameter of 39 feet. Performance will be enhanced through the pairing of the LHTEC CT S800-4A turboshaft engines (produced under local-license) with FADEC capability generating 1,360 shaft horsepower each. This will allow for a maximum cruise speed of 167 miles per hour, a maximum range is listed at 560 miles and a ferry range of 620 miles. The listed maximum mission endurance time of the helicopter is three hours. The engines will power a five-bladed main rotor assembly and two-bladed tail rotor.
The aircraft is being completed with an integrated Aircraft & Mission Management System (AMMS) and will incorporated a laser range finder, laser designator, CCTV (Closed-Circuit TeleVision) and FLIR (Forward-Looking Infra-Red) into its array of onboard facilities. Each pilot will benefit from the technology inherent in their Helmet Mounted Display Systems (HMDS) that will offer night vision capability as well. Various parts of the aircraft will be covered with infra-red suppression technologies and wire cutters will ensure safety when operating in low-altitude urban environments. The helicopter will be also incorporate an ice detection system that will notify pilots of potentially fatal moisture buildup at key systems. In the event of a crash landing, there will be an integrated Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) that will work to transmit the location of the aircraft for ensuing rescue.
The T-129 cockpit will sport an Avionic Central Control Computer (ACCC) and a 4-axis Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS). Support for VHF and UHF radios will be standard as will an HF radio and IFF (Identification Friend-or-Foe) transponder. The aircraft will be connected to other participating allied battlefield elements by way of an encrypted data link system that will be capable of transmitting video feeds while onboard communications will make use of a frequency "hopping" measure and voice encryption to help counter the threat of communications interception. Cockpit systems functionality will be such that the T-129 will be able to operate in day/night conditions and through adverse weather and heavy smoke as required.
The T-129 crew will have access to an all-digital fully-modernized cockpit as each position will showcase 2 x Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) complete with a real-time moving map, systems and mission software as well as an Inertial Navigation System (INS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Doppler navigation suite. The crew will also have access to an active/passive countmeasures package intended to protect the aircraft and pilots from inbound homing aerial threats such as surface-to-air missiles.
Armament for the T-129 will follow largely-accepted attack helicopter standards. Primary armament will be centered on the 20mm three-barreled Gatling-type cannon fitted to the fuselage chin. This will allow for relatively unobstructed engagement angles and work in conjunction with the crew's helmet mounted display for accurate, quick-response firepower while utilizing armor-piercing. Beyond this the T-129 is expected to support various foreign and indigenous anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), air-to-air missiles (ATAMs) such as the Mistral, AIM-92 Stinger or AIM-9 Sidewinder, 70mm (2.75) FFAR rockets (both guided and unguided types) and 12.7mm heavy machine gun pods. With the exception of the chin turret, all weaponry will be outfitted across the wingstubs to which each wing will showcase two hardpoints. Pylons will also be plumbed to accept external fuel tanks for increased operational ranges. The 20mm chin cannon will be afforded 500 rounds of ammunition.
It is seen that the T-129 will be produced in two distinct forms and all production will take place in Turkish plants with a standing order for sixty aircraft already on the books for the Turkish Army. The initial 30 examples (known under the designation of T-129 TUC-1 (TUC = "TUrkish Configuration")) will feature all-Turkish electronics, countermeasures, a Thales helmet-mounted cueing system and support for foreign air-to-surface/anti-tank guided missile types (AGM-114 Hellfire, BGM-71 TOW, etc...). The second batch of 30 aircraft (designation of T-129 TUC-2) will also sport Turkish-designed electronics but include a locally-developed Aselsan-brand helmet-mounted cueing system and support for Turkish-developed ordnance including the Roketsan air-to-surface anti-tank guided missile and the Roketsan Cirit laser-guided rocket.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
May 2014 - The Turkish Army received an initial batch of nine T-129 helicopters in April 2014 in the basic T-129A configuration. The full-fledged T-129B models will be forthcoming and number 51 units.
November 2017 - The T-129 ATAK was presented at the Dubai Air Show. The Turkish Army is committed to fifty-nine of the type as of this writing and twenty-four have already been delivered to the service.
July 2018 - Pakistan has agreed to a deal with TAI to purchase 30 units of the T-129 attack helicopter. The deal includes ammunition stocks, training, and spare components. These are expected to be fielded side-by-side with the 12 recently-purchased Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters from the United States.
February 2021 - The first T-129 attack helicopter has been delivered to Turkish security elements.
February 2021 - Pakistan continues to show interest in acquiring the Turkish T-129 attack platform for its services.
May 2021 - The Philippines is set to take on its first two examples of the T129 ATAK attack helicopter before the end of the year, September being the target month for delivery.
April 2022 - The Philippines has accepted its fifth (of seven total) CN295 airframe along with a pair of TAI T129 ATAK attack helicopters.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
Length
47.9 ft (14.60 m)
Width/Span
39.0 ft (11.90 m)
Height
11.2 ft (3.40 m)
MTOW
11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base TAI T-129 (ATAK) production variant)
monoplane / mid-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the base TAI T-129 (ATAK) production variant)
Installed:
2 x LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft engines developing 1,360 horsepower each and driving a five-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base TAI T-129 (ATAK) production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm three-barreled Gatling-style automatic cannon in powered "chin" turret.
OPTIONAL (4 underwing wing stub hardpoints):
8 x AGM-114 "Hellfire" Anti-Tank, Guided-Missiles (ATGMs).
8 x BGM-71 TOW ATGMs (wire-guided).
4/8 x AIM-92 "Stinger" short-range air-to-air missiles.
4 x AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air-missiles
4 x 70mm (2.75") FFAR (Fold-Fin Aerial Rockets) rocket pods (7-shot/19-shot variants).
4 x 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) pods.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 4
Mounting Points
-
-
-
7
5
-
-
-
4
6
-
-
-
HARDPOINT(S) KEY:
X
15
13
11
9
7
5
3
1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
COLOR KEY:
Fuselage Centerline
Fuselage Port/Wingroot
Fuselage Starboard/Wingroot
Wing/Underwing
Wingtip Mount(s)
Internal Bay(s)
Not Used
Note: Diagram above does not take into account inline hardpoints (mounting positions seated one-behind-the-other).
T-129 - Base Series Designation; based on the AW129 "International" package; 9 examples to be produced by AgustaWestland for delivery to Turkish Army.
T-129A (TUC-1) - Initial production models; Turkish electronics and countermeasures; Hellfire II/Spike ER missile support; 30 examples expected.
T-129B (TUC-2) - Turkish electronics and countermeasures; Rocketsan UMTAS missile support; Rocketsan Cirit rocket support; 30 examples expected.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
72
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (171mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
TAI T-129 (ATAK) operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (65)
65
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
>>
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
1 / 8
Image from official Turkish Aerospace Industries marketing material.
2 / 8
Image from official Turkish Aerospace Industries marketing material.
3 / 8
Image from official Turkish Aerospace Industries marketing material.
4 / 8
Image from official Turkish Aerospace Industries marketing material.
5 / 8
Image from official Turkish Aerospace Industries marketing material.
6 / 8
Image from official Turkish Aerospace Industries marketing material.
7 / 8
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
8 / 8
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
Pakistan (ordered); Philippines; Turkey
