AGUSTA A129 INT

From the Internet DJ re-produces specifications about the AGUSTA Helicopter

The A129 International multi-role combat helicopter is the latest variant of the Agusta A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) helicopter which is in service with the Italian Army and is equipped to carry out antitank missions and to provide fire support for ground forces. Agusta is a Finmeccanica company.

The Mangusta has been successfully deployed in the United Nations theatre of operations in Somalia and Angola, demonstrating both a high degree of reliability in adverse climates and flexibility when operating in conjunction with other land, naval and air forces.

The variable nature of conflicts has dictated a range of capabilities for enhancement and addition to the latest A129 variant, the A129 International combat helicopter. The Italian Army are to be equipped with a total of 60 Mangusta helicopters, 45 of the A129 variant and 15 of the A129 International. The first 45 are to be upgraded to the multi-role standard.

The A129 International is a multi-role helicopter for armed reconnaissance and surveillance, high value ground target engagement, escort, fire support and air threat suppression. Lethality and deterrence are enhanced with new powerful air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, an off-axis cannon and an increased weapon payload. The five-bladed A129 International also has more powerful engines the the four-bladed Mangusta.

DEPLOYMENT

The A129 is able to self deploy over 1,000 km using external fuel tanks while carrying four air-to-air missiles for self protection. The helicopter is air transportable by C-130 and larger transport aircraft. The helicopter is also transportable by sea and is ship operational.

WEAPONS

The configuration and mix of the weapon systems on the A129 International gives the operational advantage of being able to fire different types of point target missiles and area target rockets during the same mission. The helicopter can be armed with Raytheon Stinger or Matra BAe Dynamics Mistral air-to-air missiles. The helicopter has dual air-to-ground missile capability with the Lockheed Martin Hellfire or Raytheon TOW 2 missile or a mix of both, giving the gunner selective fire against low and high value targets and the capability of precise hits in urban environments. The configuration provides optimal missile delivery in adverse weather, dusk, smoke and blowing sand. The Mangusta is fitted with the HeliTOW system for the TOW2A missile.

The A129 International also has dual rocket system capability, deploying 70 mm rockets for ammunition commonality with NATO countries and 81 mm rockets for longer range engagements. The Mangusta can carry four 81 mm rocket launchers. A 20 mm three-barrel Gatling-type turreted cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition is mounted under the nose.

ELECTRONIC WARFARE

The helicopter’s electronic warfare suite includes a radar warning receiver, a laser warner and infrared sensors. The helicopter countermeasures systems include radar and infrared jammers and chaff and flare decoy dispensers.

COCKPIT

The pilot and gunner cockpits are in a stepped tandem configuration.

Both cockpits are fitted with armoured crashworthy seats.

Both cockpits are equipped with multifunction displays which present information from the Integrated Management System and provide a synthetic waypoint map, navigation data, weapon status, weapon selection, communications, and aircraft/flight data. The displays are equipped with multifunction keyboards.

OBSERVATION AND TARGETING SENSORS

The helicopter’s infrared night vision system (HIRNS) includes a mini FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) supplied by Honeywell and mounted on a steerable platform at the nose of the helicopter. The pilot’s Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADS), by Honeywell, positions a monocle over one eye and displays the view presented by the FLIR. The system provides automatic weapon aiming which can be used by day or night.

A mast-mounted sight can be installed giving the helicopter the capability to aim and fire weapons from cover behind trees, buildings or terrain features. The sight is used for target acquisition, missile tracking, laser target designation, laser tracking and laser range finding.

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM

The helicopter is equipped with an Automatic Flight Control System for precise control and low pilot workload, which allows hand-off operation and simplifies fly-to-navigation mode flying. The flight control system provides nap-of-the-earth flight capability and the level of stability for precise weapon aiming. The flight control enhances both the pilot’s ability to fly using symbology, and the helicopter’s recovery from unusual attitude. A Tactical Navigation Display enhances mission management and situational awareness.

IMS INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The IMS integrated management system is based on a MIL-STD-1554B digital data bus which provides an interface for the helicopter systems, mission avionics and armaments. The IMS incorporates two redundant computers each one capable of independent and full operation.

STRUCTURE

The structure of the helicopter is a semi-monocoque design with an aluminium alloy frame. Composite materials make up almost 50% of the fuselage weight. The airframe provides ballistic protection against 12.7 mm armour piercing rounds. The engines are armour protected. The main rotor has ballistic tolerance against 12.7 mm rounds.

ENGINES

The A129 International helicopter has a fireproof engine compartment with two low-noise LHTEC-T800 turboshaft engines. The engines are separated and there are two separate fuel systems with crossfeed capability to improve the survivability of the helicopter. The crash-resistant tanks are self-sealing and fitted with self-sealing lines and a digital fuel feed controller. The tanks are foam-filled for fire protection.

The transmission and gearboxes have a run-dry capability of 45 minutes allowing the pilot to land in a place of safety following any event resulting in complete loss of oil.

The thermal signature of the helicopter is minimised by the installation of an infrared exhaust suppression system.

INTEGRATED LOGISTIC SUPPORT

Maintenance is "on condition" supplemented by preventive maintenance at scheduled intervals. The on-board Integrated Management System provides monitoring, fault isolation, maintenance data recording and self-diagnostics to allow quick and easy corrective action to be taken by military personnel.

International forces are able to benefit from the experience gained by the Italian Army in the deployment of the Mangusta helicopter. Training tools for aircrew and maintenance personnel range from computer based training (CBT) to maintenance simulators (MS) and a state-of-the-art Flight and Combat Simulator (CMS).

AGUSTA A129 INT - SPECIFICATION