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]
| T929 ATAK 2 | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| 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 Atak 2 will incorporate some sub-systems and components developed under T129 and the T625 Gökbey helicopter projects.[6][7]
Development
editIn 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit
Data from:[19][20][21]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × TV3-117 turboshaft engines[17], 1,864.25 kW (2,500.00 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 318 km/h (198 mph, 172 kn)
- Cruise speed: 314 km/h (195 mph, 170 kn)
- Endurance: 40° / +50°C Temperature and Icing Condition
- Service ceiling: 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 1× 30x113 mm VENOM LR main gun[22]
- Hardpoints: 6 with a capacity of up to 1,500 kg , with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets:
- Missiles:
- UMTAS: UMTAS and L-UMTAS anti-tank missiles
- Cirit: 70 mm guided missile used against lightly armored / unarmored targets[23]
- PorSav or Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) or Air-to-Air Mistral (ATAM) or Bozdoğan or AIM-9 Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles (at least one of these)
- Rockets:
Avionics
[24]
- 4-Axis Autopilot
- Modular Avionics Architecture
- Target Detection Radar
- Target Detection System
- Helmet-Integrated Imaging System
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Multirole Heavy Combat Helicopter - TAI". www.tusas.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "ATAK-2 Ağır Sınıf Taarruz Helikopteri ilk uçuşunu yaptı". 28 April 2023.
- ^ "ATAK-II ağır sınıf taarruz helikopteri ilk kez havalandı". 28 April 2023.
- ^ "Our First Clear Look at Turkey's New T929 Heavy Attack Helicopter". 26 April 2023.
- ^ a b SABAH, DAILY (2021-06-29). "Turkish Aerospace, Motor Sich ink deal for heavy-class helicopter engines". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "ATAK-II Contract Signed for the New Heavy Class Attack Helicopter". www.defenceturkey.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ "Turkey's unmanned attack helicopter exhibited for first time". TRT World. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ a b Turnbull, Grant. "Turkey Launches Heavy Attack Helicopter". Aviation International News. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ "T129 Multi-Role Combat Helicopter – Airforce Technology". www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ "Turkish Armed Forces Takes Delivery of T129 ATAK Helicopter". HeliHub.com. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ "ATAK 2 Helikopteri" (in Turkish). 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ Sutton, H. I. "Turkey's New Assault Carrier Will Transform Navy". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ SABAH, DAILY (2021-03-25). "Turkey's TCG Anadolu to allow drones to land, takeoff in global 1st". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ a b "The new Turkish combat helicopters T929 Atak 2 will have Ukrainian turbines". meta-defense.fr. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ a b SABAH, DAILY (2021-03-15). "Turkey to use Ukrainian engine in its heavy class attack helicopters". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ a b "Turkish Aerospace buys Ukrainian engines for Atak – Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ a b "TV3-117VMA-SBM1V Series 1 – 1000 – 3000hp turboshaft by MOTOR SICH, JSC | AeroExpo". www.aeroexpo.online. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ a b GDC (2021-07-06). "Turkish TAI, Motor Sich ink deal for Atak 2 helicopter engines". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ "Ağır Sınıf Taarruz Helikopteri ATAK-II'nin motorları Ukrayna'dan gelecek" (in Turkish). 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Multirole Heavy Helicopter Information Brochure" (PDF). tusas.com. Turkish Aerospace Industries. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Ukrainian Engine for Turkey's ATAK 2 Helicopter". defenseworld.net. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "CANiK ve AEI Systems 30mm VENOM LR'da teslimata başlıyor | SavunmaSanayiST". 29 March 2024.
- ^ "CIRIT 2.75" LASER GUIDED MISSILE". roketsan.com.tr. Roketsan. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ "ATAK-2 Ağır Sınıf Taarruz Helikopteri motor çalıştırdı". 25 April 2023.