TSAMTO, April 26. Turkey has signed a contract with Ukraine for the supply of aircraft engines for the new T-929 ATAK II heavy-duty attack helicopters being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
As reported by Raillynews.com this was stated by the general director of Turkish Aerospace Industries, Temel Cotil, calling Ukraine a "fraternal country", with which there should be no problems with the announcement of embargoes or sanctions.
According to the general director of TAI, the parameters of the helicopter engine, which will make its first flight in 2023, have been agreed with the Ukrainian side and their power will be 2500 hp (it is possible that it is the TV3-117VMA of the Motor Sich company – the only engine in this power class).
The Turkish Defense Industry Secretariat (SSB) signed a contract with TAI for the development and production of ATAK II heavy attack helicopters on February 22, 2019. The development of the helicopter will be implemented using the experience gained during the creation of T-129 helicopters together with the Leonardo group, which are used by the Turkish Armed Forces for direct air support.
It is planned that the ATAK II will be a maneuverable attack helicopter with high flight characteristics, equipped with advanced technologies for target detection, electronic warfare systems, navigation, communications and weapons, capable of carrying a large amount of combat load and operating in difficult conditions.
The take-off weight of the developed helicopter is about 2 times more than that of the T-129 ATAK. It will belong to the 10-ton class. It is assumed that the ATAK II will be equipped with a cabin with tandem crew accommodation and two turboshaft engines, will be able to operate at high altitudes and at temperatures from -40 to +50 degrees C. It is planned to equip the car with 70-mm new-generation missiles, a 30-mm cannon and long-range anti-tank missiles with various guidance systems, air-to-air missiles. ATAK II will be able to carry more than 1,200 kg of ammunition.
The development of the ATAK-2 is part of TAI's plans to move from subcontractors to original equipment manufacturers.
It is planned that the project will make maximum use of national production systems to ensure an acceptable cost, security of supply of components and the possibility of unhindered export of machines.
The current export restrictions are related to obtaining export licenses, mainly for engines for the Turkish helicopter fleet. Tusas Engine Industries (TEI), in partnership with General Electric, has started the development and development of a national turboshaft engine under the designation TS1400 for installation on board the T-129 ATAK helicopters and the yet-to-be-developed T-625 multirole helicopter. The T-129 attack helicopters in operation are equipped with American LHTEC T800-4A engines.
