Aviation

Turkey unveils new T929 heavy attack Helicopter

According to report, The T929 ATAK 2 heavy attack helicopter, a heavier and larger variant of the T129 that it seeks to replace in Turkish service, has been introduced by Turkish Aerospace (TAI) and the Turkish Defence Industry Agency.

The T929 is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the coming weeks and will be used by the Turkish Armed Forces and export customers. The T929 has a stepped tandem cockpit, stub wings and fixed-tailwheel-style landing gear, which is the standard attack helicopter configuration.

A brand-new T929 attack helicopter that also offers the first clear view of the nearly finished prototype. The rotorcraft, created under the ATAK-2 programme and powered by Ukrainian-made engines, is anticipated to be handed to the Turkish Army starting in 2025, according to officials.

The latest video show that the cockpit has a big area display and can withstand ballistics up to 12.7 mm bullets. Six weapon stations, including freefall bombs, guided air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, guided and unguided rockets, are located on the stub wings, which can hold up to 1,200 kg of armaments. In addition, it has an Aselsan forward-looking electro-optic/infrared turret and a T-30H 30 mm chain cannon positioned on the chin.

For the early prototype aircraft, two Motor Sich TV3-117VMA-SBM1V Series 1 turboshaft were used in the most recent tests; however, the series production models are anticipated to use two TUSAS Engine Industries TS1400 turboshafts.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.