Production of the first 45 units ended in 1992 and this was then followed by an improved form based on a new initiative - the A129 "International" - which numbered the final 15 examples. The new model brought about various design and systematic improvements to broaden inherent mission capabilities and performance qualities of the base Mangusta line. Its prototype went airborne for the first time on January 9th, 1995.
Armament of the Mangusta line has since grown to include a powered chin turret with the three-barreled, 20mm M197 Gatling-style cannon as standard. Other armament proved variable and displayed across two wingstubs with a pair of hardpoints afforded to each assembly. These hardpoints could accept up to 8 x BGM-71 TOW/AGM-114 "Hellfire" anti-tank missiles or 8 x "Mistral"/AIM-92 "Stinger" air-to-air missiles. Additionally, up to 4 x rocket pods (38 x 81mm OR 76 x 70mm unguided) could be carried as well as a mixed armament load to suit mission requirements (missiles and rockets for example). The hardpoints were also cleared to carry 12.7mm machine gun pods as required, increasing the platform's battlefield versatility.
In all, there have been just four major A129 marks beginning with the original A129 models. The A129 "International" mark brought about use of a five-bladed rotor assembly as well as a chin turret mounting the M197 Gatling gun. Avionics were upgraded for the better and the powerplants improved to a pair of LHTEC T800 series turboshaft engines. Its weapon systems also supported the launching of American TOW/Hellfire anti-tank missiles and short-ranged Stinger air-to-air missiles. The follow-up A129CBT ("ComBaT") therefore included many of the A129 International's realized features as well as an uprated transmission arrangement while still retaining use of the original Rolls-Royce Gem 2 series engines.
All original A129s have been modernized to the A129CBT standard. A newer, armed reconnaissance standard is the ARH-129D of which the Italian Army hopes to upgraded from twenty-four existing A129 airframes and purchase a further twenty-four helicopters in time.
The most modern offshoot of the Mangusta is now the Turkish-derived T-129 "ATAK" which is based on the Italian Army's A-129CBT model. It is intended as a local attack helicopter solution and will make use of Turkish designed avionics software and missile/mission systems. The T-129 is still under development (as of March 2014) by TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries).
There have been several proposed - yet ultimately abandoned - A129 initiatives throughout the Mangusta's service life. These included a troop-carrying armored transport gunship (similar in tactical scope to the Soviet/Russian "Hind" series), an over-water maritime assault version for interested navies, an armed scout model and a multi-role/multi-mission offering. None were furthered.
As such, the only current operators of the A129 series remain Italy and - soon to join them - Turkey. To date, combat service of Mangustas has centered around United Nations initiatives including peacekeeping/support initiatives across Afghanistan, Angola, Iraq, Macedonia and Somalia.
January 2017 - The Italian Army hopes to retire its existing stock of A129 attack helicopters in or around 2025. Leonardo has been contracted to develop a successor with advanced capabilities.
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