The Agusta A129 International multi-role attack helicopter has successfully carried out firing trials of Hellfire laser guided anti-tank missiles in conditions which were taken as representative of operational situation. The missiles were fired from the A129 International prototype during the last two weeks of November '99.
The missiles were test-fired against armoured targets at long distance. The tests were performed both in day at night modality with a Tamam NTS-A sighting system with TV, laser designator and second generation FLIR systems. During the trials in addition to the Hellfire, another type of anti-tank missile were also tested. The A129 was powered by an update T800 engine representative of the CTS 800-2 version.
The A129 International programme is maturing decisively with the highly successful Hellfire's test. Additionally, ground and in-flight firing trials have already been successfully carried out with a three-barrel Gatling type 20mm chin-mounted swivelling gun, I-TOW 2A anti-tank missiles, 81mm and 2,75" unguided rockets and machine gun pods. The last weapon system to be tested under the Italian Army contract is the latest version of the Stinger air to air missile system.
The A129's outstanding flexibility and mission versatility is also the result of the experience gained by the Italian Army Aviation in its out-of-area combat operations in Somalia, Albania and Kosovo where the A129 had to face threats that was widely variable. The addition of the Hellfire missile adds new capabilities that may be exploited in the future by the Italian Army Aviation and by the Australian Army. The A129 International has been shortlisted for the Australian Army reconnaissance armed helicopter AIR 87 programme.
The A129 is an agile, multirole attack helicopter for day/night and all-weather combat, capable of performing missions such as armed reconnaissance and surveillance, high value ground target engagement, escort, fire support and air threat suppression. The aircraft is designed to optimise overall logistic efficiency with the aim of minimising maintenance activities and thus maximising helicopter availability. In order meet training requirements, a number of special aids have been developed including an advanced flight and combat simulator.
