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.
Here's What We Know
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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