First T-129 “Atak” Helicopter Delivered to Turkish Land Forces Command
The first of the 9 T-129 Early Delivery Helicopters (EDH) manufactured within the scope of the contract signed in 2010 as an immediate purchase in addition to the 50 attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter supply contract signed in 2007 between the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) and Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) to meet Turkish Land Forces Command’s requirements has been delivered. Following the acceptance tests, the first EDH entered into Turkish Armed Forces’ (TAF) inventory on 22 April 2014. According to the project schedule, the rest of the EDH’s are to be delivered to TAF in three lots after the delivery of the first one.
42 national avionic/weapon equipment has been manufactured domestically within the scope of the Atak project that is considered as a milestone in the establishment of the helicopter industry infrastructure in our country. “Pal” production capability, which is the first in Turkey, has been acquired and helicopter’s production line has been established at TAI. The production of 6.200 out of 6.400 parts at helicopter’s hull has been accomplished by TAI. Turkey will have the right to execute the same business share for the sales to be made to the world countries besides England and Italy and direct sales and marketing rights within the scope of the project.
While main contractor of the project TAI is in charge of helicopter production and integration of avionic-weapon systems over helicopters, Aselsan is developing helicopter’s indigenous task computer and sight, navigation, communication and electronic warfare systems. On the other hand, Italian Agusta Westland Company is responsible for providing the airworthy helicopter covering its own performance requirements and in charge of automatic flight control system and aerial vehicle status monitoring system.
The helicopter has a crew capacity of two pilots and it could reach to a maximum of 288 km/h speed with its 2 LHTEC CTS800-4ATurboshaft engines, each having 1.360hp. With a range of 556 km, the Helicopter’s maximum design gross weight is 5.000 kg. One of the prominent features to be integrated to Atak helicopters is the helmet-mounted cueing system named “Avcı”. “Avcı” system is composed of four units: Electronic Unit, Headgear, Cockpit modules for head tracking and Control Panel (optional). With this system, pilots are able to acquire display video, symbology and night vision during the mission in accordance with the pilot’s choice at day and night conditions. As the system generates the head tracking information in accordance with the pilot’s head movements for the orientation of FLIR, guns or desired equipment on the platform could be controlled easily.
Various weapon systems are included in Atak helicopter. The T129 features a 20 mm gatling-style cannon in a nose turret with a capacity of 500 missiles. It is capable of launching a total of 76 missiles owing to the 4 pods under the wings. Laser guided “Cirit” developed through national resources by Roketsan and Long Range Anti-Tank Missile “Mızrak-U” missiles integration with Atak helicopter is aimed. Further armament options include Hellfire and Spike ATGMs, Stinger A/A missiles.
