General history.
Spoiler
The history of the A129 International began during the late stages of the cold war, once the first versions of the A129 Mangusta entered service inside of the Italian armed forces, they were well liked by the users so later down the line, Agusta had generated a lot of interest for this type of helicopter. Although some nations were interested in the base version of the A129, nothing really came out of it so Agusta developed a newer version of the A129 Mangusta in line with export market specifications and needs. This new version of the A129 would go under the designation A129 “International”, likely named that way to attract customers. The A129 International has been designed to meet a wide variety of missions under all-weather conditions, day or night. These ranged from armed scout and reconnaissance to high-intensity, and air to ground and air to air capability. One of the many great qualities of this variant according to Agusta employee’s was that the A129 International would be much more than just your regular light antitank helicopter, it would also be the most cost effective combat rotorcraft in its class. This was clearly a defining factor as unlike nations such as the US, Italy would target its military vehicles to also nations who might not have a big budget to spend on their militaries. That said, it also meant regular militiaries could buy more units of the aircraft if needed which would be able to do the same things vehicles of the era, such as the AH-64 Apache, at a much lower cost. The A129 International would prove this by begining to intergrate many different weapon systems that at the time, were the best if not one of the best in their class. Weapon systems such as Hellfire and TOW ATGM’s came standard with the helicopter, however what was more interesting was the intergration of air to air missiles, such as the stinger or mistral. During the development of the International, the aircraft would undergo several variations on usually the same air-frame, each version intergrating different armaments. Some other changes also included different types of thermal imaging sights, a .50 cal turret, an enclosed triple .50 cal turret, or what is now staple of the A129CBT, the 20 mm M197 three-barrel Gatling-type rotary cannon. All International variants had access to the LHTEC T800 engine, which was an improvement from the base variant of the Mangusta. It allowed the International to have a higher top speed and overall output to reach its surface ceilling quicker than the base variant.
A129 INT (Spike)
Spoiler
The A129 International was configured with multiple different types of armaments over the years of its development, one of the lesser known ones being the intergration of Israeli made Spike ATGM’s, which this specific version has access to x8 of them, 4 on each side. According to an ex-Agusta employee, It would first be presented inside of an international military expo in Abu Dhabi in the year 1990, most likely to see if other countries would be interested in acquiring this version and putting it in service in their respective armed forces. The Intergration of Spike however was done previously in Israel, where other armaments have also likely been intergrated druing the process. Due to this variant being a prototype and most likely just done to test on how Spikes would perform on the Mangusta, it was not adopted in this version by Italy or any other nation. What was instead likely done was use the information gathered to develop future projects, and also to add a new weapon system being availible to the International if a customer required the intergation. Interstingly enough, we’d see the futre production variant of the A129 Mangusta, such as the A129 ‘Delta’ mounting the Spikes in its upgrade it received to modernize the older CBT’s that they had in service. In terms of what this variant had access to, its more defining feature would be the introduction of the Israeli made Spike ATGM’s, which depending on the variant it mounted can prove to be very potent weapons. Sadly the only picture availible i’ve managed to find only shows it with this armament installed, we can safely assume it still retained the general payload options as any A129, which included a variety of unguided rockets, ATGM’s such as the TOW and Hellfire, and air-to-air missiles such as the stinger. In International fashion it would also be outfitted with the American made LHTEC T800 Turboshaft engine, which was a major improvement from the first engines the A129 used. In terms of speed, the LTEC T800 engines allowed the A129 to go at a speed of 305 km/h (at 1000 metres) and gave the A129 a max altitude of 5400 metres. Lastly, for its thermal/night imaging, this specific version would use a modified Hughes made sight that would be installed at the front of the helicopter. For counter measures, It had also likely kept everything from before, such as an IR jammer and also a laser warning ricever. Installation of flares and chaff was most likely available if needed but by the singular available photo, its unclear if it would actually go on and mount them.
A129 International prototype Armament Testbed. (early)
Spoiler
The A129 Armament Testbed is actually a helicopter we have in game already, however that being one of the many possible configurations which could be made. The story for this specific helicopter variant begins in 1987, its main purpose was for Agusta to just test multiple different types of armament and design features for the aircraft. This variant of the A129 International (serial number being 29002/EI 902) would be the first time that Italy would actually install and fly with the American made LHTEC T800 engine. It retained a lot of features from the previous base Mangusta’s, such as the 4 blades, however it also would install a new optics system that was manufactured by SAAB. In terms of armaments, this specific version had access to an enclosed triple .50 cal turret which would be a very similar weapon system that was installed unto some American helicopters at the time. On top of that as seen in the picture, it could mount up to x8 American made Hellfire ATGM’s, which if needed would also be able to be switched for TOW-2 ATGM’s. Other armaments also included the same basic loadouts such as; 12.7mm gun pods, various amount of unguided rockets such as the Italian made 81mm Medusa (which at the time of me writing this, we still haven’t gotten in game) or American Hydra, and lastly but not least Stinger or Matra Mistral air-to-air missiles. Another cool thing it would feature would be (unlike other Italian helicopters) a pretty unique grey/white camouflage, which really makes the helicopter stick out when compared to other A129’s made.
A129 International prototype Armament Testbed (late)
Spoiler
This is one of the many final versions of the A129 International, as a last ditch effort to get other countries to buy the helicopter, It would be upgraded in very minor ways, such as the addition of non enclosed 20mm turret. This variant also differed from previous versions due to the new sand filters added to the LHTEC T800 engines to improve its operational capabilities in sandy environments. (likely done to push the vehicle to the Italian army after their use of the first A129’s for their peace-keeping missions in Somalia) Lastly it also featured an improvement to the overall avionics of the vehicle. Armament remained the same as the previous base International variants, so ATGM’s, unguided rockets and air to air missiles were kept. Countermeasures also included an ICRM and Flare/Chaff dispenser. For day and night target acquisition the same thermal and night vision devices would also be kept from the previous version. This version of the International actually had some interest shown, by the Turkish armed forces and was flown to Turkey for a short period of time to conduct trials, alongside a delegation of the Italian Agusta workers who’d show off the helicopters capabilities in front of the Turkish high command. Sadly they ultimately wouldn’t be interested, so the International was then brought back to Italy, and was no longer offered to any countries. (Good to note that around a decade later the Turkish government would with the help of Italy make the T-129, a modified A-129 for the Turkish armed forces). What was used from the A129 International however would be re-used for a special upgrade to the Italian A129’s, which brought them to the ‘‘CBT’’ or ‘Combat’’ standard. The CBT’s would incorporate the majority of the new advancements from the International into the Italian army Mangusta’s. With only minor differences such as Italy option for a Rolls Royce engine instead of the LHTEC one.
Photos/Pics
