28 March 2016•Update: 29 March 2016
GAZIANTEP, Turkey
The T-129 ATAK helicopter has been at the fore of Turkey’s battle against PKK terrorists since the group resumed its armed campaign last summer.
The helicopter - developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and AgustaWestland – first came into service with the Turkish Armed Forces in May 2014.
Designed for attack and reconnaissance missions, the helicopter is now produced by TAI and exported to militaries around the world.
Its maneuverability - the aircraft can rise at angles close to 90 degrees - make it well suited to the steep valleys of Turkey’s southeast, where it acts in close support to ground troops.
It has a cruising speed of 269 kilometers per hour (167 miles per hour) and is operated by two crew members sitting in tandem.
A laser rangefinder provides targeting even in low visibility to unleash Hellfire or Spike missiles, unguided rockets, guided CIRIT rockets or air-to-air Stinger missiles.
