- Yes
- No
Description: The A129 International was a variant made by Agusta and intended to test the next technology and possibly be exported. It’s story started back in 1986, when Italy, the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands signed a joint venture for the creation of a new A129 for the European nations, the Tonal. Unfortunately, the UK and the Netherlands went for the US-made AH64 Apache, and the project collapsed.
But Agusta didn’t give up, and they started the creation of a modified version of the A129 to try to export it. The first modified A129 flew for the first time in 1988 with two more powerful Allison-Garrett LHTEC T800 engines replacing the two Rolls-Roice Gem 2 MK1004D turboshafts. The other two prototypes were modified to carry the T800 and the otoBreda Alenia Difensa TM-197B 20 mm gun, and they featured five blades on the rotor. Other improvements were advanced avionics and a glass cockpit. They were also fitted with new anti-tank missiles, such as the American-made AGM114 Hellfire. Unfortunately, the A129 Unternational was not purchased by anyone, but the Italian army showed interest in the modifications of the A129 International and later applied all its modifications to the A129 Mangusta in service during the CBT (Combattimento) upgrade. The only modifications that were not applied were the two T800 engines. This one in particular was the second prototype that mounted the 20 mm TM-197B cannon. It also had a unique feed system for the 20 mm TM-197B (the A129 CBT and International Late had both feed systems on the left part of the fuselage, while this one had them on both sides). It can probably store more rounds, but unfortunatly there Is not source mentioning this.
Why it should be in the game: This heli could be very good in the tt since it will be able to offer good performance. It could be a replacement of the premium A129 intenational that was removed since this one will offer similar performance (same missiles) but it will be better thanks to the 20 mm TM-197B cannon. Otherwise it can be a good heli for the line too.
Specifications:
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Main rotor diameter: 11.9 meters (39 feet)
Tail rotor diameter: 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 inches)
Fuselage length: 12.275 meters (40 feet 3 inches)
Footprint length: 14.29 meters (46 feet 11 inches)
Overall height: 3.35 meters (11 feet )
Empty weight: 2,520 kilograms (5,575 pounds)
MTO weight: 4,100 kilograms (9,040 pounds)
Max speed: 315 KPH (195 MPH / 180 KT)
Hover ceiling (in ground effect): 3,705 meters (12,300 feet)
Combat radius: 100 kilometers (62 MI / 54 NMI)
Endurance: 3 hours
Engines: 2x Allison-Garrett LHTEC T800
Weapons
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1x 20 mm TM-197B cannon
2x FN M3P 12.7 mm machinegun pod
2x NC621 20 mm gun pod
8x TOW C/D anty tank missile
8x AGM 114B Hellfire
4x AGM-65 Maverick
8x HOT 3 Missile
4x LR25 Orione rocket launcher
76x Hydra-70 M247 Rokets
4x Medusa 81 mm roket launcher
8x Tigrat missile
Sources
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AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta & Airbus Helicopter Tiger
A129 international multi role combat helicopter, italy by PrinceFlyer - Issuu
https://members.xoom.virgilio.it/Aircrafts/paga129.html
AW-129 Mangusta - Militarypedia
https://www.army-technology.com/projects/agusta/
A-129 망구스타
Pictures:
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