The Agusta A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) (AW129 from June 2007) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Agusta (part of AgustaWestland) of Italy. It is the first attack helicopter to be designed and produced wholly in Western Europe. A developed version, the T129, will be produced in Turkey by TAI for the Turkish Army. A Russian Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... AgustaWestland is a helicopter design and manufacturing company based in Italy and the United Kingdom. ... link title--85. ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Jimi Hendrix song, see 1983. ... Coat of Arms of the Italian Army Dardo IFV on exercise in Capo Teulada Soldiers of the 33rd Field Artillery Regiment Acqui on parade The Italian Army (Esercito Italiano) is the ground defense force of the Italian Republic. ... The Turkish Army (Turkish: Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ... For other uses, see Mongoose (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... A South African Air Force A109LUH Agusta (now part of AgustaWestland) is an Italian helicopter manufacturer. ... AgustaWestland is a helicopter design and manufacturing company based in Italy and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... link title--85. ... The Turkish Army (Turkish: Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ...

Development

The A129 Mangusta was developed to provide an anti-tank attack helicopter for the Italian Army. An export version, the A129 International, is a lower-cost helicopter with added firepower and upgraded avionics. Military branches Esercito Italiano (Army) Marina Militare (Navy) Aeronautica Militare (Air Force) Carabinieri (Military police) The Guardia di Finanza is a specialized police and fight against financial crimes, illegal drugs trafficking, customs and borders control. ...

Design of the A129 began in 1978. The first of five Mangusta prototypes performed its initial official flight on 15 September 1983, and the fifth prototype first flew in March 1986. Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Jimi Hendrix song, see 1983. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

The A129 can be used in the anti-armour, armed reconnaissance, ground attack, escort, fire support and anti-aircraft roles.

In the anti-armour role, the helicopter can carry either Hellfire, TOW or Spike-ER missiles, or a mixture of them. The A129 can also be equipped with 81 mm or 70 mm (2.75 in) unguided rockets and has a three-barrel 20 mm cannon in a turret mounted under its nose. Type Air-to-ground and surface-to-surface Missile Nationality United States Era Cold War and through Global War on Terrorism Launch platform Rotary- and fixed-wing platforms, Unmanned aerial vehicle, tri-pods, ships, and ground vehicles Target Three warhead variants defeat an array of targets including tanks, light armored... A TOW missile being fired from a Jeep. ... Spike is a fourth generation anti-tank guided missile developed by the Israeli company Rafael. ...

For the anti-aircraft role, Stinger or Mistral missiles can be carried. The FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile developed in the United States and used by all the U.S. armed services, with whom it entered service in 1981. ... Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems (formerly by Matra BAe Dynamics). ...

The A129 is equipped with autonomous navigation and night vision systems in order to provide both day/night and all-weather combat capabilities.

The new 15-passenger AgustaWestland AW139 utility helicopter is designed around the transmission of the A129.^{[citation needed]} The AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat medium sized twin-engined helicopter manufactured by AgustaWestland. ...

In the Australian Army's AIR 87 project to acquire Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters, the Agusta A129, Boeing-Mesa's Apache and the Eurocopter's Tiger were short-listed from the six original tenders. In December of 2001 it was announced that the contract was awarded to the Eurocopter Tiger.^[1] The Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by the Eurocopter Group. ...

T129 ATAK

T129 views

Turkey announced on 30 March 2007 that it has decided to negotiate with AgustaWestland to purchase 51 (+40 optional) A129 helicopters.^[2][3][4] Based on the A129 International, they will be assembled in Turkey by TAI as the T129. The deal is reported to be worth $3 Billion.^[5] The final contract was signed on September 7, 2007.^[6] Under the agreement, TAI will have intellectual property rights of the new configuration of the helicopter, sole sourcing rights in the world for the fuselage, including Final Assembly and Flight Operations, and sales rights for the world excluding Italy and England. is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... link title--85. ...

The T129 has several key improvements over the original A129 in line with the requirements of the Turkish Army:^[7] The Turkish Army (Turkish: Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ...

• The T129 will carry 12 Roketsan developed UMTAS anti-tank missiles (Turkish indigenous development similar to Hellfire II) ^[8];
• More powerful LHTEC T800 engines have increased the maximum hovering altitude by 20%;
• Two launchers for Stinger AA missiles (a total of 4 can be carried) have been added to the exterior sides of the pylons;
• Mast radar, similar to that of the Apache Longbow but based on IAI/ELTA's (Israel) surveillance and targeting radar with SAR and ISAR capability, has been added on the top of the rotor. The radar can identify land and sea targets from at least 30 kilometres.

According to Savunma ve Havacılık (Defence and Aerospace) magazine, the 51 T-129 attack helicopters will be assigned as follows^[9]: Hellfire AGM-114A AGM-114 Hellfire (Helicopter launched fire-and-forget) is a U.S. air-to-ground missile system designed to defeat tanks and other individual targets while minimizing the exposure of the launch vehicle to enemy fire. ... The T800 is a next generation turboshaft engine for rotary wing applications. ... The AIM-92 Stinger or ATAS (Air To Air Stinger) or ATAL is an air-to-air missile developed from the shoulder-launched FIM-92 Stinger system for use on helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache. ... The AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ...

• One helicopter will be kept by the Turkish Ministry of Defense and will be used as a test-bed for systems development.

• The remaining 50 helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish Army. 40 more T-129 helicopters (optional) will be produced if necessary.

• The 50 T-129 helicopters will be in two different configurations, TUC-1 and TUC-2 (TUC: Turkish Configuration.)

The first 30 out of 50 will be TUC-1, while the following 20 will be TUC-2.

T-129 TUC-1 (the first 30 units) will have:

• • Indigenous mission computer
  • Indigenous EW and countermeasures
  • Aselsan AselFLIR-300
  • Foreign helmet-mounted cueing system (either Elbit or Thales)
  • Foreign missile (either Hellfire II or Spike ER)

T-129 TUC-2 (the following 20 units) will have: ASELSAN was founded by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation at the end of 1975 to produce tactical military radios and defense electronic systems for the Turkish Army. ... Elbit Systems Ltd. ... For the Defense and Security Company, see Thales Group. ... Hellfire AGM-114A AGM-114 Hellfire (Helicopter launched fire-and-forget) is a U.S. air-to-ground missile system designed to defeat tanks and other individual targets while minimizing the exposure of the launch vehicle to enemy fire. ... Spike is a fourth generation anti-tank guided missile developed by the Israeli company Rafael. ...

• • Indigenous mission computer
  • Indigenous EW and countermeasures
  • Aselsan AselFLIR-300
  • Aselsan AVCI helmet-mounted cueing system
  • Roketsan UMTAS missile

ASELSAN was founded by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation at the end of 1975 to produce tactical military radios and defense electronic systems for the Turkish Army. ... ASELSAN was founded by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation at the end of 1975 to produce tactical military radios and defense electronic systems for the Turkish Army. ...

Operational history

The Italian Army is currently (2007) the sole A129 operator and is equipped with 45 A129 Mangusta versions and has ordered another 15 A129 International versions. The Agusta A129 CBT (combat configuration) version in Italian service is based on the International, but retains the original Gem engines (see above). The first A129CBTs were delivered in October 2002. In January 2002, AgustaWestland was awarded a contract to upgrade the first 45 A129 Mangusta versions to the multi-role Agusta A129 CBT standard. Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... AgustaWestland is a helicopter design and manufacturing company based in Italy and the United Kingdom. ...

In Italian service, the Mangusta has successfully deployed with UN missions to former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Somalia and Angola. Three helicopters were deployed in Iraq before the Italian expedition's withdrawal. Also, some are now being shipped to Afghanistan, to reinforce the Italian Army there, which has only infantry units without Italian air support. For an explanation of terms related to Macedonia, see Macedonia (terminology). ...

Variants

Agusta A129 Mangusta

Production models

• A129 Mangusta: Original production version, powered by two Rolls-Royce Gem 2 turboshafts.
• A129 International: Upgraded version with five-bladed rotor, nose turret, support for Hellfire and Stinger missiles, advanced avionics equipment and two LHTEC T800 turboshafts.
• A129 CBT(ComBaT): Upgraded version for the Italian army that incorporates the same advances as the A129 International version, but retains the original Gem turboshaft engines (although an uprated transmission system is fitted). It is reported that the cockpit layout is simpler than that of the A129 International.
• T129: New Turkish attack helicopter based on the A129 International; will be assembled in Turkey by TAI.

The T800 is a next generation turboshaft engine for rotary wing applications. ... link title--85. ...

Proposed models

• A129 LBH: A multipurpose assault helicopter version with a structure completely different from the standard A129s, having space for carrying eight soldiers in addition to the two crew. (The abbreviation LBH stands for Light Battlefield Helicopter.)
• A129 Multi-Role Proposed version, not built.
• A129 Scout: Proposed reconnaissance version, not built.
• A129 Shipboard: Proposed naval version, not built.
• A129 Tonal: In 1986, the governments of Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain signed a memorandum of understanding to investigate an improved version of the A129, called the Joint European Helicopter Tonal. (The designation "Tonal" was derived from the name of an Aztec deity.) The Tonal was to have more powerful engines, a new rotor system, retractable landing gear, improved sensors and more powerful armament. However, the project collapsed in 1990 when Britain and the Netherlands decided to obtain the AH-64 Apache instead. Spain has since acquired the Eurocopter Tiger.

Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... The AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... The Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by the Eurocopter Group. ...

Operators

 Italy

• Italian Army - currently operates 60 A129s

 Turkey

• Turkish Army - a total of 51 (+40 optional) to be produced in Turkey

Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Coat of Arms of the Italian Army Dardo IFV on exercise in Capo Teulada Soldiers of the 33rd Field Artillery Regiment Acqui on parade The Italian Army (Esercito Italiano) is the ground defense force of the Italian Republic. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Turkey. ... The Turkish Army (Turkish: Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ...

Specifications (A129 )

Data from Augusta Westland A129 Technical Data^[10] Image File history File links Mangusta-A129-schema. ...

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: pilot and weapon systems officer
• Length: 12.28 m (40 ft 3 in)
• Rotor diameter: 11.90 m (39 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
• Disc area: 444.9 m² (4,789 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,530 kg (5,575 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,600 kg (10,140 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Gem 2-1004D (license built by Piaggio) turboshafts, 664 kW (890 shp) each
• Propellers: four blade rotor

Performance In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft can achieve flight. ... Schematic diagram showing the operation of a simplified turboshaft engine. ...

• Maximum speed: 278 km/h (148 knots, mph)
• Cruise speed: 229 km/h (135 knots, mph)
• Range: 510 km (275 nm, 320 mi)
• Ferry range: 1,000 km (540 nm, 620 mi)
• Service ceiling 4,725 m (15,500 ft)
• Rate of climb: 10.2 m/s (2,025 ft/min)

Armament V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, a ceiling is the maximum density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditons The service ceiling attempts to capture the maximum usable altitude of an aircraft. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) three-barrel gatling-type cannon (500 rounds) (only CBT version)
• Rockets: 4 pods with
  • 38× 81 mm (3.19 in) unguided rockets or
  • 76× 70 mm (2.75 in) unguided rockets or
  • 12.7 mm machine gun-pod
• Missiles:
  
  • 8× AGM-114 Hellfire or BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles
  • 4-8× AIM-92 Stinger or Mistral anti-aircraft missiles

The 20mm caliber is a specific size of cannon or autocannon ammunition, commonly the smallest caliber which is unambiguously a cannon (or more commonly today, autocannon) and not a heavy machine gun. ... Type Air-to-ground and surface-to-surface Missile Nationality United States Era Cold War and through Global War on Terrorism Launch platform Rotary- and fixed-wing platforms, Unmanned aerial vehicle, tri-pods, ships, and ground vehicles Target Three warhead variants defeat an array of targets including tanks, light armored... A TOW missile being fired from a Jeep. ... The AIM-92 Stinger or ATAS (Air To Air Stinger) or ATAL is an air-to-air missile developed from the shoulder-launched FIM-92 Stinger system for use on helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache. ... Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems (formerly by Matra BAe Dynamics). ...

A129 International

Data from Augusta Westland A129 Technical Data^[10]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: pilot and weapon systems officer
• Length: 12.62 m (41 ft 5 in)
• Rotor diameter: 11.90 m (39 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
• Disc area: 444.9 m² (4,789 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,530 kg (5,580 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,100 kg (11,245 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× LHTEC T800-LHT-800 turboshafts, 1,024 kW (1,373 shp) each
• Propellers: five blade rotor

Performance In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft can achieve flight. ... The T800 is a next generation turboshaft engine for rotary wing applications. ... Schematic diagram showing the operation of a simplified turboshaft engine. ...

• Maximum speed: 294 km/h (160 knots, mph)
• Cruise speed: 269 km/h (145 knots, mph)
• Range: 561 km (303 nm, mi)
• Ferry range: 1,000 km (540 nm, 620 mi)
• Service ceiling 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 13.97 m/s (2,750 ft/min)

Armament V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, a ceiling is the maximum density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditons The service ceiling attempts to capture the maximum usable altitude of an aircraft. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) three-barrel gatling-type cannon (500 rounds)
• Rockets: 4 pods with
  • 38× 81 mm (3.19 in) unguided rockets or
  • 76× 70 mm (2.75 in) unguided rockets or
  • 12.7 mm machine gun-pod
• Missiles:
  
  • 8× AGM-114 Hellfire, BGM-71 TOW or Spike-ER anti-tank missiles
  • 4-8× AIM-92 Stinger or Mistral anti-aircraft missiles

The 20mm caliber is a specific size of cannon or autocannon ammunition, commonly the smallest caliber which is unambiguously a cannon (or more commonly today, autocannon) and not a heavy machine gun. ... Type Air-to-ground and surface-to-surface Missile Nationality United States Era Cold War and through Global War on Terrorism Launch platform Rotary- and fixed-wing platforms, Unmanned aerial vehicle, tri-pods, ships, and ground vehicles Target Three warhead variants defeat an array of targets including tanks, light armored... A TOW missile being fired from a Jeep. ... Spike is a fourth generation anti-tank guided missile developed by the Israeli company Rafael. ... The AIM-92 Stinger or ATAS (Air To Air Stinger) or ATAL is an air-to-air missile developed from the shoulder-launched FIM-92 Stinger system for use on helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache. ... Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems (formerly by Matra BAe Dynamics). ...

See also

Related development

• Agusta A109
• AgustaWestland AW139
  

Comparable aircraft The Agusta A109 is a helicopter manufactured by Agusta (now AgustaWestland) of Italy. ... The AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat medium sized twin-engined helicopter manufactured by AgustaWestland. ...

• AH-1 Cobra
• AH-1 SuperCobra
• Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
• Eurocopter Tiger
• Kamov Ka-50/Ka-52
• Mil Mi-28
  

Related lists The Bell AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter. ... The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the US Armys AH-1 Cobra. ... The Denel Aviation AH-2 Rooivalk is a modern attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aerospace Systems of South Africa. ... The Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by the Eurocopter Group. ... Black Shark redirects here. ... The Mil Mi-28 (NATO reporting name Havoc) is a Russian tandem two-seat anti-armour and attack helicopter. ...

• List of attack aircraft
• List of helicopters
• List of military aircraft of Italy
  

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References

External links

• A129 page on AgustaWestland.com
• T129 page on TAI.com
• airforce-technology.com A129 page