Tuesday, September 29, 2009

DTN News: First Turkish T129 Helicopter Makes Maiden Flight

DTN News: First Turkish T129 Helicopter Makes Maiden Flight *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) ROME, Italy - September 29, 2009: The first prototype of the T129 attack helicopter destined for Turkey has made its maiden flight at an AgustaWestland facility at Vergiate, Italy, the firm said Sept. 28. Turkey is to acquire 50 T129 helicopters, which are based on the AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta helicopter now in service with the Italian Army. Turkey announced on 30 March 2007 that it had decided to negotiate with AgustaWestland to purchase 51 (+40 optional) A129 helicopters. Based on the A129 International, they will be assembled in Turkey by TAI as the T129. The deal is reported to be worth $3 Billion. The final contract was signed on September 7, 2007. On 22 June 2008, the agreement between TUSAS Aerospace Industries and AgustaWestland formally entered into force. It has now been confirmed that the T129 will be a 100% Turkish built platform. Under the agreement, TAI will develop an indigenous mission computer, avionics, weapons systems, self-protection suites and the helmet-mounting cuing systems. TUSAS Engine Industries Inc (TEI) will manufacture the LHTEC CTS800-4N engines under licence. Under the agreement, Turkey has full marketing and intellectual property rights for the T129 platform. There are also no restrictions imposed on Turkey for the export or transfer of the platform to third countries (excluding Italy and the United Kingdom). The T129 P1 prototype was flown by test pilots from AgustaWestland and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). AgustaWestland, TAI and Turkish firm Aselan are partners on the program, which features Turkish involvement in design, development and production. In a statement, AgustaWestland said the program is running on time and on budget. Muharrem Dortasli, TAI general manager, said Turkish industry would play a "primary role" in any eventual exports of the T129. AgustaWestland CEO Giuseppe Orsi called the T129 "the most modern combat helicopter in the world." AgustaWestland has opened a center in Italy to train Turkish engineers on the program. The company also is waiting to hear if its under-development AW149 has been selected by Turkey in a utility helicopter contest, where it is competing against the Sikorsky Black Hawk.

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