T-129 Atak & Turkish Attack Helicopter Programs
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Deino
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Too long?? You really expect that a type that hasn't been flown yet can be delivered in less than three years to the Army already?
name me any other combat type, that had a flight testing, evaluation and certification period to service entry of only 2-3 years?
dBSPL
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This dates marks the leaving of aircraft from TAI ownership and into army inventory. We are not talking about full operational capability. But in anyway, How can the aircraft, which will make its maiden flight in March 2023, be delivered within 2,5 years?
As you know, this is not TAI's only helicopter program. There are 3 different attack helicopter programs (T129-T629-T929), the first of which started with the partnership of Agusta, has been engineering activities on military standard helicopters for years. Besides the production, integration and testing capability in previous under-license productions, with the T-129, TAI has now started to accumulate capability in the design and later classification processes.
As a general purpose/utulity helicopter, 3 different programs are running (T625-T925-T70. The project for the 3-ton MTOW version of the T625 has not started yet), and the first of these, the T-625, made its first flight in 2018. Gendarmerie general command deliveries on the T-625 begin this year.
That is, the classification of many critical subsystems for the T-929 and T-926 was provided through the infrastructure of these two projects. This is the main factor how TAI accelerating the T-929 and 926 projects. Also the T929 and 926 will have largely common subsystems within themselves. This allows both projects to continue simultaneously. Although their appearance will be different, mostly they will actually be two variants of the same helicopter. One is a tandem seat heavy armored attack helicopter, and the other is a mid-range utility helicopter with approximately 11t. MTOW and a cargo ramp. Both helicopters will be structurally capable of navalization.
In the other thread, I tried to explain another factor; TAI's test standards also have a project model suitable for a brisk project schedule. They can conduct ground tests with all mechanical systems and avionics of these systems; they can integrate it with the simulator and generate real telemetry data. This test infrastructure helps to start some of the evaluation processes of the aircraft, which conventionally start with flight tests, earlier.
The third factor is that force commands urgently need platforms. If you notice, even the T-629 project, which will bypass the T-129 project for export markets, and which is actually a light class attack platform; is behind the heavy chopper T929 in priority. So, big money is flowing into these projects right now. If you have the appropriate infrastructure and sufficient workforce, some processes will be accelerated as you increase the financing resources.
As you know, this is not TAI's only helicopter program. There are 3 different attack helicopter programs (T129-T629-T929), the first of which started with the partnership of Agusta, has been engineering activities on military standard helicopters for years. Besides the production, integration and testing capability in previous under-license productions, with the T-129, TAI has now started to accumulate capability in the design and later classification processes.
As a general purpose/utulity helicopter, 3 different programs are running (T625-T925-T70. The project for the 3-ton MTOW version of the T625 has not started yet), and the first of these, the T-625, made its first flight in 2018. Gendarmerie general command deliveries on the T-625 begin this year.
That is, the classification of many critical subsystems for the T-929 and T-926 was provided through the infrastructure of these two projects. This is the main factor how TAI accelerating the T-929 and 926 projects. Also the T929 and 926 will have largely common subsystems within themselves. This allows both projects to continue simultaneously. Although their appearance will be different, mostly they will actually be two variants of the same helicopter. One is a tandem seat heavy armored attack helicopter, and the other is a mid-range utility helicopter with approximately 11t. MTOW and a cargo ramp. Both helicopters will be structurally capable of navalization.
In the other thread, I tried to explain another factor; TAI's test standards also have a project model suitable for a brisk project schedule. They can conduct ground tests with all mechanical systems and avionics of these systems; they can integrate it with the simulator and generate real telemetry data. This test infrastructure helps to start some of the evaluation processes of the aircraft, which conventionally start with flight tests, earlier.
The third factor is that force commands urgently need platforms. If you notice, even the T-629 project, which will bypass the T-129 project for export markets, and which is actually a light class attack platform; is behind the heavy chopper T929 in priority. So, big money is flowing into these projects right now. If you have the appropriate infrastructure and sufficient workforce, some processes will be accelerated as you increase the financing resources.
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merzifonlu
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I agree with you. Only 2-3 years overly optimistic.
EAGLE777
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Erdoğan can motivate those engineers to finish the job faster.
merzifonlu
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Erdogan cannot change the laws of physics!
If detailed ground tests have been carried out for a long time and our method of doing detailed ground tests with "iron bird" gives good results in helicopters and airplanes as well as national A&A missiles, then after 3 years we may see a mass production T929, even if it is not fully operational.
But this has a low probability in my opinion.
Oublious
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I think the design of the chopper was al ready finished, before they finish a project they al ready started the next project. After this they will begin with heavy lift helicopter project, so the date sounds possible.
Erdogan motivated those engineers to finish the job in 2025 instead of 2028
Deino
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"motivated"!? ... by providing so much political pressure that they would loose their job or even worse get arrested due to "assisting terrorists!"
Come on, even Mr Erdogan cannot overrule the lows of physics, engineering and manufacturing
Turkish Aerospace İndustries developed ANKA UCAV in 8 years and Turkish engineers-technicians developed more advanced AKSUNGUR UCAV to break duty record. AKSUNGUR was developed in a short period of 18 months, inspired by the ANKA platform between 2019 and 2021. even TAI has delivered AKSUNGUR UCAVs to the Turkish Navy and Airforce
The same success can be achieved with the T-929 Attack Helicopter over T-129 experiences. Turkey has Helicopter technologies and Engine is ready from Ukraine .
The Helicopter group is the most successful group of TAI as the company produces T129 Attack Helicopter, T625 GÖKBEY Utility Helicopter, T70 Blackhawk Utility Helicopter, also TAI develops T929 Heavy Class Attack Helicopter, 10 Ton Class Utility Helicopter and Helicopter Modernization programs.
The previously announced date has been brought forward as of 2025 instead of 2028
TAI says T-929 ATAK-II will make maiden flight in 2023 and the first 3 T-929 Attack Helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish Army in 2025
aziqbal
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absolute monster of a chopper
no doubt will dominate the battle field and I would say the next attack helicopter after the AH-64 Apache
monitor
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Due to ongoing conflict Ukraine will unable to supply engine for Turkish attack helicopter. Program might delay unless any miracle happened. Can In Current geopoliticall situation turkey mend their relations with US and EU and engine for Pakistan's attack helicopter order as well as future Turkish helicopter.
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