Italy tested a new AW249 attack helicopter with Spike and Stinger missiles, it will replace the obsolete AH-129D Mangusta

On August 12, Italian company Leonardo Helicopters took the prototype of the new AW249 attack helicopter into the air for the first time.

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It was told about it by The Aviationist edition. Development of the helicopter began in 2007 under the NEES program. It included the creation of one prototype and three pre-production helicopters. It is planned to release a total of 48 machines at the first stage. The contract is worth 487,000,000 euros.

The AW249 should become a replacement for the obsolete Italian A129 Mangusta helicopters. They are in service with Italy since the 90s. The new prototype is equipped with two GE Aviation CT7-8E6 (T700) engines with a power of 2500 hp each. AW249 will be able to operate in cold and hot conditions. Cruising speed of the AW249 will be 259 km/h.

The AW249 will use Spike and AIM-92 Stinger guided missiles, as well as a 20-mm automatic cannon on the nose. It is still unknown when serial production of the helicopter will start.

Source: The Aviationist

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