TAI ATAK-2

History of the TAI ATAK-2

The substantial presence of main battle tanks (MBTs) throughout the Middle East requires Turkey, with its growing military-industrial base, to invest in tank killing solutions. For this reason, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is drafting plans to produce a successor to its T-129 ATAK two-seater attack helicopter (detailed elsewhere on this website) as the announced "ATAK-2" part of the project.

While the T-129 is billed as a Turkish helicopter product, its roots remain with the Italian Agusta A129 Mongoose attack platform. With the ATAK-2, the company will be able to develop an all-Turkish armed attack helicopter that can compete with Eastern and Western designs - with capabilities equivalent to the U.S. Army's famous Boeing AH-64 Apache family

Preliminary design plans for a potential attack helicopter for the Turkish army were first revealed in 2017.

The Army asked to specifically look for twin-engine forms, these units produced in the 3,000 hp range. Other specs include a nearly 2,650-pound war load.

According to TAI Marketing, the ATAK-2 will use existing components and experience gained during the development of the T-129 attack platform (currently in service with the Turkish Army) and the upcoming T-625 twin-engine medium lift transport helicopter. Key systems include proven gearboxes, rotors and landing gear components (the latter of the wheeled "rear hauler" type).

According to published renderings, the proposed ATAK-2 will use a twin-engine configuration (mounted side-by-side) with full IR protection to provide the required performance and survivability in contested areas. This is used to power a five-blade composite main rotor unit and a four-blade tail rotor unit.

The main rotor assembly is mounted low near the top of the helicopter, while the tail rotor points to starboard.

The helicopter will have a crew of two (pilot and gunner) in a layered, fully armored configuration that has been seen in other modern attack types such as the AH-64. The short wings, each with three hard points, will be mounted on the sides of the fuselage to support standard attack helicopter weapon systems such as anti-tank missiles (ATGM), gun pods, missile pods, short-range air-to-air missiles (AAM) and (possibly) fuel tanks (the latter for extending the field of application). The wingtips also appear to house/accommodate special systems to assist the helicopter in search and track engagement operations.

A fully powered triple-barreled Gatling automatic cannon, likely 20mm caliber, will be mounted under the aircraft's "chin" position.

If the ATAK-2 program comes to fruition, it will be an important step for the Turkish defense industry and the Turkish military, and will provide the service with an indigenous solution to ongoing needs.

Project officials noted that the in-house developed ATAK-2 product will not directly replace the existing fleet of T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, which are still in service with the Turkish army in large numbers, but "armed reconnaissance" will be with them "Play" the role of double whammy (again, the US Army uses OH-58 Kiowa Warriors with the AH-64 Longbow Apache).

Note: Much of the information on this page is the author's estimate. This article will be updated with new information.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes