In February 2019, Turkish Aerospace/Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced that its forthcoming ATAK-2 attack helicopter would be a 10-ton platform.[1] In effect, not only did Turkey opt for a heavyweight platform, but it is possible that the ATAK-2 could share the same turboshaft engine, transmission, and/or dynamic parts technology as Turkey’s forthcoming 10-ton General Utility/Transport Helicopter.
According to Ismail Demir, President of Defense Industries (SSB), the ATAK-2 should materialize by 2024. It will use two turboshaft engines and will deliver 1,200 kg in ordnance. Like its lightweight counterpart, Turkish Aerospace will design the ATAK-2 to operate in hot-temperature and high-altitude environments.[2]
In addition to drawing on Aselsan’s avionics as well as electronic warfare (EW) and defensive aid systems, the ATAK-2 will also use MILDAR millimetre wave (mmW) radar. With a potential load-out of 16 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), the ATAK-2 will deliver a higher offensive impact than the 5-ton ATAK.
However, a critical piece to the ATAK-2 will be its turboshaft engine. Though an apparent roadblock with re-exporting the preceding ATAK’s engine is a factor, Turkey has been banking on its domestic turboshaft engine efforts to bear fruit, with a project in place since at least 2017.
In 2017, the SSB commissioned TUSAS Engine Industries Inc. (TEI) to develop a 1,400 shp engine (TS1400) to power Turkish Aerospace’s 6-ton T625 utility helicopter and, in all likelihood, the T129 ATAK (as an alternative option to the CTS800, which is bound by US export controls under ITAR).
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