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

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.