The First Pilots of Atak Helicopter are the King and President
Jordanian King Abdullah II and Turkish President Abdullah Gül accompanied by Minister of Finance Mehmet Şimşek, Deputy Minister of National Defence Hasan Kemal Yardımcı, General Command, Chairman of General Plans and Principles Lieutenant General Alpaslan Erdoğan, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Murad Bayar, Jordan Ambassador Amjad Adaileh and the delegations visited the TAI facilities and obtained information about the on-going projects.
Briefed by TAI CEO Muharrem Dörtkaşlı about TAI, King Abdullah II expressed his appreciation for being at TAI and observing the studies. Following the briefing made on F-16s modernized for Jordanian Naval Forces, King Abdullah II was presented the photograph of his father King Hussein and the President of the period Turgut Özal, which was taken at TAI facilities 25 years ago.
Examining TAI’s indigenous projects on-site, King Abdullah II and President Gül also examined closely the prototype of “Anka” UAV, the acceptance tests of which were concluded in the previous months and the mass production of which is planned to be initiated in the forthcoming period. Following Anka, the two leaders also examined the Primary and Basic Training Aircraft “Hürkuş”, the flight tests of which are planned to be realized in 2013. Then the two leaders were briefed on “Cirit”, “UMTAS” and “OMTAS” missiles as well as T129 “Atak” helicopters. King Abdullah examined the pilot helmet of Atak helicopter having night vision feature as well as the cockpit display in details. President Gül and King Abdullah seated in the cockpit after wearing the pilot jackets, which were specially prepared for them. The two leaders posed for the press by the helmets produced especially for “Atak” by Aselsan. Following the examinations, President Gül and King Abdullah went to the Control Tower of TAI and watched the stunt flight of T129/”Atak” helicopter.
The First 4 of T-129/Atak Helicopters are ready to be delivered.
“Atak” Contract has been signed on 7 September 2007 as a result of an effort to meet the “attack & tactical reconnaissance helicopter” requirements of Turkish Armed Forces (TAI is the prime contractor, Agustawestland is the subcontractor and Aselsan is the other subcontractor for integration). The original contract calls out for 50 helicopters. An amendment was made in November 2010 to enable deliveries of 9 additional helicopters, starting fifteen months earlier than planned.
The production of four helicopters was completed as of today. Once the firing tests and pilot trainings are completed, the acceptance tests of these helicopters are planned to be initiated and the first helicopter is planned to be delivered in the second quarter of 2013. T129, optimized for performing at “hot & high” environments shall be produced in two versions. T129A is the “combat support” version capable of carrying 500 ea 20mm gun rounds and up to 76 guided or unguided 2.75” rockets. T129B is the “multi-role” version equipped with the leading edge electronic warfare systems and capable to carry a payload of 8 anti-tank missiles, 12 guided 2.75” rockets, 2 air-to-air missiles and 500 rounds, simultaneously. If required, T129B helicopters can also be equipped with Helfire, Spike ATGMs and Stinger A/A missiles. Another important component that is to be equipped on “Atak” helicopters is the helmet mounted cueing system.
