What is T-129 ATAK? What is it for? Tai Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter

Image: Steve Lynes — CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

QUERY LENGTH LIMIT EXCEEDED. MAX ALLOWED QUERY : 500 CHARS

General Description

The T-129 ATAK is an ATTACK helicopter with double tandem seat placement, optimized for close air support and enemy armor destruction when attacking.

Tandem cockpit: Weapon operator in front, pilot in back.
Hot-and-high performance: Superior performance in high altitude and hot climatic conditions.
ASELSAN AVCI helmet-mounted display: Weapon targeting by turning the pilot’s head.
ASELSAN ASELFLIR-300T: Under nose infrared/television targeting system.
Countermeasure suite: RWR, MWR, LWS, chaff/flare dispenser.
4 weapon carrying station: Additional air-weather station at outer wing ends.
Retractable landing gear: Reduces aerodynamic resistance.

Development Date

2006-2007: Selection of T-129 under the Turkey Attack Helicopter Program.
2007: Joint development agreement signed between TUSAŞ and AgustaWestland.
2008: The first prototype A129 arrives in Turkey.
28 September 2009: Flight of the first T129 prototype.
17 August 2011: Flight of the first Turkish-produced T-129.
22 April 2014: First delivery to Turkish Land Forces (T-129A EDH-Early Duhul Helicopter).
2015: Deliveries of the operational T-129B variant started.
2019: 6 helicopter export contracts with the Philippines (~270 million USD).
2022-2024: Deliveries to the Philippines are complete.

Specifications

Type: Two-engine, tandem-seat, tactical reconnaissance and attack helicopter
Length: 14.6 m (body)
Height: 3.4 m
Rotor diameter: 11.9 m
Kerb weight: 2.530 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 5,000 kg
Motor: 2 × LHTEC CTS800-4N (~1.014 kW / 1.361 SHP, each)
Maximum speed: 281 km/h
Cruising speed: 269 km/h
Service ceiling: 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
Climbing speed: 14 m/s
Range: 561 km (internal fuel) / 1,000 km (with auxiliary tanks)
Stay in the air: 3 hours
Hot-and-high: Operation at 6,000 ft at 35°C with full gun load

Arms Range

Cannon: 1 × 20 mm M197 three-barrel Gatling (500 rounds)
Anti-tank missile: ROKETSAN UMTAS (8 km range) — 8 pcs; Spike LR (export option)
Laser guided rocket: ROKETSAN CİRİT 70 mm (8 km range) — 16 pcs
Unguided rocket: 70 mm Hydra/CRV-7 — up to 38
Air-to-air: Stinger/striker (AT wingtip stations)

Variants / Versions

T-129A EDH (Early Duhul Helicopter): Initial delivery variant; training and operational readiness.
T-129B (Phase 1): Full national avionics, ROKETSAN UMTAS/JAVELIN integration; standard production.
T-129B Phase 2: National communications/EW capabilities, advanced mission computer.
T-129 EDH Philippines: Customized variant for Philippine Air Force; Sapsan engine option.
T-629 (planned): Single-seat variant envisaged to be developed entirely with the national engine (TEI).

Operators & Inventory

Turkish Land Forces Command: 65 helicopters (total order 91 ).
Gendarmerie General Command: Including multiple units.
Philippine Air Force: 6 helicopters (export contract — delivery completed).
Nigeria: 6 helicopter contract (2023).
In negotiation: Indonesia, Tunisia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries.

The sale of the T-129 to Pakistan could not take place due to the fact that the engine was US-produced CTS800-4N and the US export license barrier. This was one of the triggers that accelerated Turkey’s search for a full national engine (TEI TS1400 engine for T929 ATAK-2).

Operational Use

2014 : Intensive use of Turkish Land Forces in Southeastern Anatolia operations.
2016 : Prominent role in Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring, Spring Shield operations in Syria.
2017 : Critical strike capability in Northern Iraq Claw series operations.
2022 : Deployment in Philippine Air Force operations in Mindanao.
2023 : Anti-terror use in Nigeria.

Turkey Context and Comparison

QUERY LENGTH LIMIT EXCEEDED. MAX ALLOWED QUERY : 500 CHARS

Major comparison points in the class:

Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian (USA): heavier, more expensive; top standard in its class.
Bell AH-1Z Viper (USA): Dual motor USMC standard.
Eurocopter Tiger (Europe): Lightweight, European consortium.
Mi-28N Havoc / Ka-52 Alligator (Russia): heavier, Soviet doctrine.
Z-10 (China): China‘s Apache counterpart.
T929 ATAK-2 (Turkey): Heavy class national successor of T-129 (10 tons).

Summary Table

Type: Twin engine, tandem-seat attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter
Manufacturer: TUSAŞ (Agusta A129 Mangusta license/derivative)
First flight (Turkish): August 17, 2011
TAF inventory entry: April 22, 2014 (T-129A EDH)
Engine: 2 × LHTEC CTS800-4N
Max. takeoff weight: 5,000 kg
Max. speed: 281 km/h
Main weapons: 20mm cannon, ROKETSAN UMTAS, JAVELIN, Stinger
Turkish inventory: 65 helicopters
Export: Philippines (6), Nigeria (6); multi-country in negotiation