Aviation

Interesting facts about Turkish T129 Helicopter

The Turkish T129 is a formidable twin-engine multi-role attack helicopter jointly designed and manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Italy-based AgustaWestland, catering to the specific requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces.

The T129 is designed to perform a diverse range of missions, including combat, armed reconnaissance, armed escort, deep strike, fire support, precision strike, security, and suppression of enemy air defenses.

The helicopter is capable of operating in both day and night conditions, providing flexibility in various operational environments. It is equipped to handle adverse weather conditions.

T129 features a five-bladed main rotor with a diameter of 11.9 meters, providing stability and maneuverability. It also includes a two-bladed tail rotor.

The T129 is armed with a variety of weapons, including 76 x 70 mm Classic Rockets, 8 x UMTAS Anti-Tank Missiles, a 20 mm turreted gun with 500 rounds, 16 x 70 mm CIRIT Guided ATGM Missiles, 8 x STINGER Air-to-Air Missiles, and more.

The helicopter has four wing store stations that allow for a flexible configuration of weapons and equipment to suit different mission requirements.

Recently, T129 has seen international adoption, with deliveries to foreign military forces, such as the Nigerian Air Force. with the confirmation of the first two out of six helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries. The remaining helicopters are expected to arrive before the second quarter of 2024, enhancing Nigeria’s aerial capabilities.

With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 5,065 kg, the T129 exhibits exceptional performance metrics.

T129 is powered by two Turboshaft Engines, specifically the LHTEC – CTS800-4A, each providing take-off power of 1,024 kW.

The Turkish T129 is emerging as a strong competitor among contemporary attack helicopters such as the Tiger, Z-10, and LCH Prachand.

With a unit cost of approximately US$50 million, the T129 is positioned as a cost-effective option for nations seeking advanced multi-role attack capabilities.

The T929 ATAK 2 heavy attack helicopter, is a heavier and larger variant of the T129. 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,

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.