Agusta A129 Mangusta 3D model

Agusta A129 Mangusta (English: Mongoose) is an attack helicopter that was originally designed and manufactured by Agusta in Italy. This helicopter is the first combat helicopter designed and manufactured in Western Europe.

The TAI/AgustaWestland T-129 ATAK is a derivative version of the Agusta A129 Mangusta, developed and under the responsibility of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with AgustaWestland as the principal partner.

The A 129 Mangusta (Mongoose) helicopter was developed as a variant of the A 109 series helicopter. The new design helicopter is larger and very different from its predecessor. The helicopter, codenamed A 129, is a completely new helicopter. Subsequently, classified as a medium attack helicopter with an armed reconnaissance role, the A 129 became the main helicopter of the Italian armed forces. Project A 129 was started in early 1978 to meet the needs of the Italian armed forces, but first production began in late 1990 and the prototype flew in 1983.

The seating of all A 129 variants is tandem, with the pilot taller at the rear and the gunner at the front of the cockpit. The cockpit glass consists of transparent flat panels to reduce the effects of flashes that interfere with the crew's view. The side of the glass can open in an emergency. The A 129 variant is very limited, the “International” version and the standard “Combat” version offer different modifications to the standard helicopter.

The “International” version of the A 129 was developed as an export version to cater for foreign orders. This helicopter differs from the standard A 129 in that it uses two LHTEC T800 turboshaft engines. An under-nose rifle can also be added to the combined armament which includes TOW anti-tank missiles and rocket pods. Stinger air-to-air missiles can also be used.