Article Posted on : - Aug 18, 2011

The first prototype of the T129 attack helicopter completed the maiden flight test on Wednesday. A TAI photo

ANKARA (BNS): Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has successfully completed the flight test of the first T129 attack helicopter it is producing for the Turkish Army.

The maiden flight of the T129 ‘P6’ prototype helicopter “has timely and successfully been completed at TAI’s facilities in Ankara,” the company announced Wednesday.

TAI has partnered with Italy’s AgustaWestland to develop the T129 which is based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta attack helicopter.

The ATAK Programme 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, TAI said.

The first flight of the P6 prototype marks an important milestone in the programme as it is the first of a total of three T129 prototypes to be assembled in Turkey, the aerospace firm said.

Turkey had inked a deal with AgustaWestland in 2008 to jointly produce 51 Turkish variant of the A129 Mangusta helicopters for the Army. In 2010, it ordered nine more such choppers, taking the total number to 60.

The T129 incorporates indigenous systems and equipment, including avionics, communication, navigation and weapons.

The first helicopter is scheduled to be delivered to the Army in 2012.