According to Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) a first prototype of the T129 “P6” attack helicopter successfully conducted its first flight.
The ATAK Program was initiated with the aim to meet the Attack/Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF) by the integration of high-tech avionic equipment, hardware and software which will be developed in Turkey. The first flight of the P6 prototype marks an important milestone in the ATAK Program such that; being the first of a total of three T129 prototypes to be assembled in Turkey.
In the ATAK Helicopter Program, Turkish Aerospace Industries is the prime contractor with AgustaWestland and ASELSAN being TAI’s subcontractors. The TAI/AgustaWestland T-129 (AgustaWestland designation AW729) is an enhanced version of the Agusta A129 Mangusta. The T-129 will carry 12 Roketsan-developed UMTAS anti-tank missiles (Turkish indigenous development similar to Hellfire II) and it will use the more powerful LHTEC T800 (CTS800-4) engine. The helicopter will feature a 20 mm gatling style cannon on a nose turret. It will be able to carry combinations of 70 mm rocket pods, Stinger air-air missile pods, and gun pods on its stub wing pylons.
Photo: Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc