Agusta A129 Mangusta

Agusta A129 Mangusta

The Agusta A129 Mangusta is an Italian attack helicopter developed by Agusta (now Leonardo) for the Italian Army. The First Dedicated Attack Helicopter to be Produced in Western Europe. 

The Agusta A129 Mangusta is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, attack helicopter designed primarily for anti-armor and close air support missions. It was developed in the 1980s to meet the Italian Army's requirements for a modern attack helicopter capable of operating in a wide range of combat scenarios.

 Design and Features:

1. Armament: The A129 Mangusta is armed with a 20mm cannon mounted under the nose for close-range engagements. It can also carry a variety of anti-tank guided missiles, air-to-air missiles, unguided rockets, and gun pods on its four underwing hardpoints.

2. Avionics: The helicopter is equipped with a comprehensive avionics suite, including a helmet-mounted sight system (HMSS), forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, and a sophisticated fire control system for accurate targeting.

3. Protection: The A129 features composite armor plating to protect the crew and critical components from small arms fire and shrapnel. It also has electronic countermeasures (ECM) systems to defend against enemy radar and missile threats.

4. Performance: Powered by two Rolls-Royce Gem turboshaft engines, the A129 Mangusta has a maximum speed of around 278 km/h (173 mph) and a range of approximately 510 km (317 miles). It has a service ceiling of 4,725 meters (15,502 feet) and can operate in hot and high-altitude environments.

 Variants:

1. A129CBT: The original production variant used by the Italian Army, equipped with a 20mm cannon and capable of carrying a variety of weapons.

2. A129 International: Export variant with upgraded avionics and weapons systems to meet the requirements of foreign customers.

Operational History:

The A129 Mangusta has been deployed in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world, including in Somalia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Afghanistan. It has proven to be an effective and reliable attack helicopter, capable of providing close air support to ground forces and engaging enemy armor and fortified positions.

 Future Upgrades:

Leonardo continues to offer upgrades and modernization packages for the A129 Mangusta to enhance its capabilities and extend its service life. These upgrades may include improvements to avionics, sensors, weapons systems, and survivability features.

Overall, the Agusta A129 Mangusta remains a versatile and potent asset in the arsenal of the Italian Army and other operators around the world, providing crucial fire support and combat capabilities in a variety of operational environments.

 attack helicopter

 Specifications

• Crew: 2
• Length: 12.28 m (40 ft 3 in)
• Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
• Empty weight: 2,530 kg (5,578 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,600 kg (10,141 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Gem 2-1004D (license built by Piaggio) turboshaft engines, 664 kW (890 hp) each
• Main rotor diameter: 11.9 m (39 ft 1 in)
• Main rotor area: 111.2 m² (1,197 sq ft) 5-bladed main rotor
  

performance overview

• Maximum speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn)
• Cruise speed: 229 km/h (142 mph, 124 kn)
• Range: 510 km (320 mi, 280 nmi)
• Ferry range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 4,725 m (15,502 ft)
• Rate of climb: 10.2 m/s (2,010 ft/min)

weapon system

• Guns:
  
  • 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M197 three-barrel Gatling-type cannon (500 rounds) in a TM197B Light Turreted Gun System (only CBT version)
  • 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine gun pod
• Rockets: 4 pods with
  • 38× 81 mm (3.19 in) unguided rockets 
  • 76× 70 mm (2.75 in) unguided rockets 
• Missiles:
  
• 8× AGM-114 Hellfire or BGM-71 TOW or Spike-ER anti-tank missiles
• 4-8× AIM-92 Stinger or Mistral anti-aircraft missiles

 Development and History:

- The development of the A129 Mangusta began in the early 1970s in response to the Italian Army's need for a dedicated anti-tank helicopter.

- Agusta (now Leonardo) was awarded the contract to develop the A129, and the helicopter made its maiden flight in September 1983.

- The A129 Mangusta entered service with the Italian Army in the late 1980s, becoming the first attack helicopter designed and produced in Italy.

 Role and Mission Capabilities:

- The primary mission of the A129 Mangusta is to provide close air support and anti-armor capabilities to ground forces.

- It is equipped to engage enemy armored vehicles, fortified positions, and other ground targets using a variety of weapons, including anti-tank missiles and rockets.

- The helicopter can also perform armed reconnaissance, escort, and battlefield interdiction missions in support of ground operations.

 Design Features:

- The A129 Mangusta features a narrow, tandem-seat cockpit configuration, with the pilot in the rear seat and the gunner/weapons operator in the front seat.

- Its compact size and agile maneuverability make it well-suited for operating in urban and confined environments.

- The helicopter's rotor blades are made of composite materials to reduce weight and increase durability.

 Attack Helicopter

 Weapons and Armament:

- The A129 Mangusta is armed with a range of weapons, including the M197 20mm three-barrel cannon mounted under the nose.

- It can carry up to 8 TOW or AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles on two four-round launchers mounted on the helicopter's stub wings.

- Additionally, it can carry rocket pods with 70mm unguided rockets, air-to-air missiles for self-defense, and gun pods with machine guns or grenade launchers.

 Export and Operators:

- In addition to the Italian Army, several other countries operate or have operated the A129 Mangusta, including Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

- Export variants of the helicopter have been customized to meet the specific requirements of each customer, with upgrades to avionics, sensors, and weapons systems.

 Legacy and Successor:

- The A129 Mangusta has served as a cornerstone of Italy's attack helicopter capabilities for decades, providing essential support to ground forces in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

- It is succeeded by the AW129 Mangusta, an upgraded variant developed by Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) with improved avionics, sensors, and weapon systems.