A129 Mangusta (Wallpaper 2) aircraft photo gallery | AirSkyBuster

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A129 Mangusta (wallpaper 2). A129 Mangusta aircraft images wallpaper gallery 2. A129 Mangusta airplane pictures and images collection 2. In September 2007, Turkey placed an order for 51 (plus 41 options) A129 helicopters for the attack and tactical reconnaissance (ATAK) programme. Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) is the prime contractor and is responsible for final assembly of the helicopter, to be designated T129. AgustaWestland and Aselsan are the main subcontractors. The maiden flight of the T129 helicopter took place on 28 September 2009 during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland's facility in Vergiate, Italy. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2012. The AW129 is able to self-deploy over 1,000km, using external fuel tanks while carrying four air-to-air missiles for self-protection. The helicopter is air transportable by C-130 and larger transport aircraft. A129 Mangusta (wallpaper 2). A129 Mangusta aircraft images wallpaper gallery 2. A129 Mangusta airplane pictures and images collection 2. The structure of the helicopter is a semi-monocoque design with an aluminium alloy frame. Composite materials make up almost 50% of the fuselage weight. The airframe provides ballistic protection against 12.7mm armour piercing rounds. The engines are armour protected. The main rotor has ballistic tolerance against 12.7mm rounds. The A129 International helicopter can be armed with Raytheon Stinger or MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Mistral air-to-air missiles. Stinger missile certification was successfully completed on the Italian Army A129CBT in October 2003, using Stinger RMP block I missiles. The helicopter has dual air-to-ground missile capability with the Lockheed Martin Hellfire or Raytheon TOW 2 missile or a mix of both, giving the gunner selective fire against low and high-value targets, and the capability of precise hits in urban environments. The Mangusta is fitted with the HeliTOW system for the TOW2A missile. A129 Mangusta (wallpaper 2). A129 Mangusta aircraft images wallpaper gallery 2. A129 Mangusta airplane pictures and images collection 2.