Turkish Indigenous Helicopter Program

[IC3M@N FX]

I still don't see any benefit, heavy attack helicopters have a lot of firepower to block a position with barrage or destroy it completely, but they are also very sluggish and very slow, making them a big slow target in modern warfare.

These tasks can also be performed just as well by very light attack helicopters, drones, or lighter attack helicopters such as the T129 and medium attack helicopters such as the T629.
They are more agile, faster, have better hit & run survivability and are cheaper.
The Apache are only modernized because they are there and are of use last, but the US would never develop and produce a successor or new blocks of this size.

 

[yeetmahboi]

I still don't see any benefit, heavy attack helicopters have a lot of firepower to block a position with barrage or destroy it completely, but they are also very sluggish and very slow, making them a big slow target in modern warfare.

Uhhh... No. Speed is about power installed first and foremost. So you need alot of volume for the engine. Combine that with signature management and you end up with a chunky, heavy design, but can use a heck lot of power to move around. There's no reason why T925 would be less agile than T129.

They are more agile, faster, have better hit & run survivability and are cheaper.

Size is barely an indicator of cost nowadays.

The Apache are only modernized because they are there and are of use last, but the US would never develop and produce a successor or new blocks of this size.

Apache WILL be replaced under FVL, that is the current plan. And what hints we were given about the requirements scream: big, long legged, speedy and carries hefty loads of effectors.

 

[Scott Kenny]

I still don't see any benefit, heavy attack helicopters have a lot of firepower to block a position with barrage or destroy it completely, but they are also very sluggish and very slow, making them a big slow target in modern warfare.

Uhm, you do know that both Apache and Zulu Cobra can exceed 200 knots, right?

Speed and acceleration are a function of installed power. Stick 3600hp in a helo and it moves pretty quickly.

These tasks can also be performed just as well by very light attack helicopters, drones, or lighter attack helicopters such as the T129 and medium attack helicopters such as the T629.
They are more agile, faster, have better hit & run survivability and are cheaper.

Systems installed are a good 40% or more the cost of an airframe these days, so a cheaper airframe doesn't save you all that much.

The Apache are only modernized because they are there and are of use last, but the US would never develop and produce a successor or new blocks of this size.

You're right. The replacement for the Apache will be BIGGER.

 

[Deino]

T-929 ATAK II Prototype
View attachment 761827

How recent is this one?

 

[Combat-Master]

Specs given by TAI;

Category	T929 ATAK II	T925 Utility	T625 GÖKBEY
Length	20.2 m	20.2 m	15.87 m
Height	3.7 m	3.8 m	N/A
Main Rotor Diameter	16.7 m	16.7 m	13.20 m
MTOW	~11,000 kg	~12,000 kg	6,050 kg
Crew	2	2	2
Passenger	N/A	19	12
Max Speed	175 KIAS	175 KIAS	160 KTS
Range	255 nm	280 nm	400 nm
Endurance	~2.5+ hr	~2.75+ hr	3.8+ hr / 5+ hr
HIGE Ceiling	13,900 ft @MTOW	12,850 ft @MTOW	N/A
HOGE Ceiling	12,300 ft @MTOW	8,450 ft @MTOW	N/A
Rate of Climb	3,200 fpm	3,220 fpm	N/A
Service Ceiling	20,000 ft	20,000 ft	20,000 ft
Power Plant	2× TV3-117VMA-SBM1V Turboshaft	2× TV3-117VMA-SBM1V Turboshaft	2× CTS800-4AT Turboshaft
Shaft Horsepower (shp)	2× 2,500 shp	2× 2,500 shp	2× 1,373 shp

 

[Combat-Master]

T-70 utility helicopter - Integrated with Avionics from Aselsan of Turkey.
View attachment 651373
View attachment 651374

T-70 program "partially" stopped
US-based Lockheed Martin: "In 2020, the US Government imposed certain sanctions on Turkish organizations and individuals, which affected our ability to fulfill our obligations under the TUHP (T-70 Utility Helicopter Program). We have partially stopped our work under the TUHP as of October 5, 2024. Our discussions regarding the future status of the program are ongoing."

To date, only 14 T-70 helicopters were delivered out of 109 helicopters ordered.
Turkey should completely shelve the project and focus on development of the indigenous 12-ton helicopter. Price you have to pay if you want to be a regional actor.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2HvDaTr-i4