Agusta A129 Mangusta Multi Role Combat Helicopter

• published: 10 Aug 2015
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Conceived in response to an Italian Army requirement of the mid-1970s, the A-129 Mangusta was the first dedicated attack helicopter to be designed, built and deployed by a European country. It was also the first in the world to be built around an advanced MIL-STD 1553B digital databus, which allows a high degree of automation, considerably reducing the crew workload. The Mangusta's primary TOW missile armament left it inflexible where combat against tanks was not a priority mission. Hence, Agusta has developed the Mangusta International, which features an undernose 20 mm cannon, uprated 1 362-shp AlliedSignal LHTEC CTS800-2 engines and a five-bladed main rotor system. This aircraft also retains the HeliTOW target acquisition system, making it a highly versatile combat helicopter. The AW129 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. The AW129 electronic warfare suite includes an Elettronica ELT-156 radar warning receiver and a BAE Systems Italia RALM-101 laser warner.