Paris Air Show 2015: Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Showcases T129 ATAK Helo and MALE-Class ANKA UAV

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is participating atthe 51st International Paris Air Show with the T129 ATAK Advanced Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Class ANKA UAV.

ANKA is an advanced Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), that performs day and night, all-weather reconnaissance, target detection/identification and intelligence missions with its EO/IR and SAR payloads, featuring autonomous flight capability including Automatic Take-off and Landing. ANKA incorporates a heavy-fuel engine and electro-expulsive Ice Protection System with an Advanced Ground Control Station and dual datalink allowing operational security and ease. The system is expandable with a Transportable Image Exploitation Station, Radio Relay, Remote Video Terminal and SATCOM.

The T129 ATAK helicopter, the choice of the Turkish Land Forces, is a new generation, tandem two-seat, twin engine helicopter specifically designed for attack and reconnaissance purposes. The T129 ATAK, developed from the combat proven AgustaWestland A129CBT, incorporates totally new system philosophy with new engines (LHTEC CTS 800-4A), new avionics, visionics and weapons, modified airframe, updated drive train and new tail rotor. T129 ATAK has been optimised to meet and exceed the "high and hot" performance requirements for harsh geographical and environmental conditions.

The first batch of T129 ATAK was delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces which is operational regarding the mission of Turkish Army and as of today over 6,000 flight hours were accumulated during the flight and firing tests, qualification and acceptance as well as training activities. As an integral part of the global security forces, the Turkish Armed Forces has always been on the leading edge. As an outcome of the endorsement provided by the Turkish Armed Forces, the already strong international interest in the T129 ATAK as a superior alternative is expected to intensify.