Leonardo A129 Mangusta (Mongoose)

1990 MODERN AIRCRAFT

• 1 Leonardo A129 Mangusta History
• 2 Leonardo A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) Specification
  • 2.1 Basic
  • 2.2 Production
  • 2.3 Roles
  • 2.4 Dimensions
  • 2.5 Weight
  • 2.6 Performance
  • 2.7 Performance
  • 2.8 Armor
  • 2.9 Changes

Leonardo A129 Mangusta History

The Agusta A129 "Mangusta" ("Mungo") is a modern two-seat twin-engine battlefield helicopter designed and developed in Italy, designed for anti-tank/assault missions. The aircraft was originally developed for the joint requirements of the Italian and West German armies for such an aircraft in 1972, when Italian helicopter manufacturer Agusta and West German MBB (Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm) jointly developed a possible The solution.

However, West Germany's intervention was short-lived, leaving Agusta to continue on her own.

In the beginning, the Agusta A109 product was designed to be modified until the program developed into the late 1970s to develop a completely new design. A slimmer configuration with stepped tandem seats was adopted, as well as an engine mounted high on the side of the fuselage.

Survivability is key to this vehicle, with armor, weapons and automation being an integral part of the final product - now known as the A129.

There are only four major brands of A129 in total, starting with the original A129 model. The A129 "International" branding resulted in the use of a five-blade rotor assembly, as well as a chin turret to house the M197 Gatling gun. The avionics were better upgraded, and the powerplant was upgraded to a pair of LHTEC T800 series turboshaft engines. Its weapon system also supports the launch of US TOW/Hellfire anti-tank missiles and short-range Stinger air-to-air missiles.

The successor, the A129CBT ("ComBaT"), thus combines many of the features realized from the A129 International, as well as an improved transmission layout, while still using the original Rolls-Royce Gem 2 series engine.

All original A129s have been upgraded to A129CBT standard. The updated armed reconnaissance standard is the ARH-129D, and the Italian Army hopes to upgrade from the existing 24 A129 airframes and purchase another 24 helicopters in time.

The most modern offshoot of Mangusta is now the Turkish-derived T-129 "ATAK", based on the Italian Army's A-129CBT model. It is intended as a local attack helicopter solution and will use Turkish-developed avionics software and missile/mission systems.

The T-129 is still being developed by TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries) (as of March 2014).

Over the life of the Mangusta, several plans for the A129 have been proposed, all of which were ultimately abandoned. These include a troop-carrying armored artillery vehicle (with a tactical range similar to the Soviet-Russian "Hind" series), a surface attack version for interested navies, an armed reconnaissance model and a multi-role/multi-mission product.

No one was promoted.

Therefore, the only current operators of the A129 series remain Italy and - soon to be joined - Turkey. To date, Mangustas' combat service has focused on United Nations initiatives, including peacekeeping/aid initiatives in Afghanistan, Angola, Iraq, Macedonia and Somalia.

January 2017 - The Italian Army wants to phase out its existing fleet of A129 attack helicopters by or around 2025. Leonardo was tasked with developing a successor with advanced capabilities.

Leonardo A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes