T929 ATAK 2
Atak 2 model introduced at Teknofest 2019
Role Heavy attack helicopter
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries[1]
First flight 28 April 2023[2][3][4]
Introduction 2025 (planned)
Status Under development
Primary user Turkish Army (intended)
Developed from TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK
TAI T625 Gökbey

The TAI T929 ATAK 2 is a twin-engine, heavy attack helicopter under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The helicopter is designed for attack, electronic warfare and reconnaissance missions in all-weather environments in both day and night conditions.[1][5]

The Atak 2 will incorporate some sub-systems and components developed under T129 and the T625 Gökbey helicopter projects.[6][7]

Development

In November 2018, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSB) initiated the heavy-class Atak 2 helicopter comparable to Boeing AH-64 Apache for Turkish military and potential export markets. In February 2020, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSB) signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries to develop the helicopter for an undisclosed value.[8]

The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is developing the T929 Atak 2 helicopter using industrial experience gained through the joint T129 Attack helicopter project between Turkish Aerospace Industries and the Italian Leonardo Company.[9][10]

It is being developed to meet a need for a heavy attack helicopter for the Turkish Land Forces[11] and a requirement from the Turkish Navy to operate from the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship (LHD).[12][13]

Design

The T929 helicopter features tandem seats, asymmetrical weapons bay, high ammunition capacity, low infrared (IR) signature, digital cockpit, ballistic protection, improved avionics, electronic warfare and countermeasure capability.[14][15]

The helicopter will be fitted with a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) turret that includes target-tracking functionality. The helicopter will also feature electronic warfare systems such as infrared/ultraviolet missile-warning sensors and a tail-mounted directed-infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system to jam heat-seeking missiles.[8]

The heavy class helicopter[16] can be tasked with air-to-ground combat, air-to-air combat, armed reconnaissance surveillance and close air support (CAS) operations.[5]

Engines

The T929 Atak 2 will be powered by two 2,500 horsepower turboshaft engines.[17][18] Turkish TAI has signed an agreement with Ukraine's Motor Sich to supply fourteen TV3-117 engines for its developmental ATAK 2 heavy attack helicopter.[15][14][16][18]

Specifications

L-UMTAS (upper) and UMTAS (lower) missiles displayed on helicopter pylon
Cirit launcher with four missiles, Kyiv, 2019 01

Data from:[19][20][21]
General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Multirole Heavy Combat Helicopter - TAI". www.tusas.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. ^ https://www.savunmasanayist.com/atak-2-agir-sinif-taarruz-helikopteri-ilk-ucusunu-yapti/
  3. ^ https://www.defenceturk.net/atak-ii-agir-sinif-taarruz-helikopteri-ilk-kez-havalandi
  4. ^ https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/our-first-clear-look-at-turkeys-new-t929-heavy-attack-helicopter
  5. ^ a b SABAH, DAILY (2021-06-29). "Turkish Aerospace, Motor Sich ink deal for heavy-class helicopter engines". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  6. ^ "ATAK-II Contract Signed for the New Heavy Class Attack Helicopter". www.defenceturkey.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  7. ^ "Turkey's unmanned attack helicopter exhibited for first time". TRT World. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  8. ^ a b Turnbull, Grant. "Turkey Launches Heavy Attack Helicopter". Aviation International News. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  9. ^ "T129 Multi-Role Combat Helicopter – Airforce Technology". www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  10. ^ "Turkish Armed Forces Takes Delivery of T129 ATAK Helicopter". HeliHub.com. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  11. ^ "ATAK 2 Helikopteri" (in Turkish). 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  12. ^ Sutton, H. I. "Turkey's New Assault Carrier Will Transform Navy". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  13. ^ SABAH, DAILY (2021-03-25). "Turkey's TCG Anadolu to allow drones to land, takeoff in global 1st". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  14. ^ a b "The new Turkish combat helicopters T929 Atak 2 will have Ukrainian turbines". meta-defense.fr. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  15. ^ a b SABAH, DAILY (2021-03-15). "Turkey to use Ukrainian engine in its heavy class attack helicopters". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  16. ^ a b "Turkish Aerospace buys Ukrainian engines for Atak – Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  17. ^ a b "TV3-117VMA-SBM1V Series 1 – 1000 – 3000hp turboshaft by MOTOR SICH, JSC | AeroExpo". www.aeroexpo.online. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  18. ^ a b GDC (2021-07-06). "Turkish TAI, Motor Sich ink deal for Atak 2 helicopter engines". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  19. ^ "Ağır Sınıf Taarruz Helikopteri ATAK-II'nin motorları Ukrayna'dan gelecek" (in Turkish). 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  20. ^ "Multirole Heavy Helicopter Information Brochure" (PDF). tusas.com. Turkish Aerospace Industries. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  21. ^ "Ukrainian Engine for Turkey's ATAK 2 Helicopter". defenseworld.net. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  22. ^ "CIRIT 2.75″ LASER GUIDED MISSILE". roketsan.com.tr. Roketsan. Retrieved 2021-07-21.

External links

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) aircraft
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