AH-129D

AH-129D

AH-129D

Italy

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.0	12.0	11.7

Class:

Attack helicopter

Utility helicopter

Research:400 000

Purchase:1 030 000

Show in game

Description

After the upgrade of Mangustas to the CBT standard between 2001 and 2008, and operated during the Second Gulf War in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2004 to 2006, the Italian Army decided to upgrade the A-129CBT with new avionics, systems, and weapons. One of these weapons was the fire-and-forget SPIKE ER ATGM, guided by the Rafael TOP LITE optic at the start of the launch and during the subsequent tracking of the SPIKE missile. With this upgraded version of the A-129, it lost the ability to launch TOW missiles due to its new optic. The first AH-129D (Delta) were acquired in 2014 for the 5°Reggimento AVES (Aviazione dell'Esercito). In the same year, a total of 32 A-129CBT were upgraded to the Delta standard. The AH-129D was immediately deployed and remained in service in Afghanistan until 2021, when ISAF troops left the country. Nowadays, there are 32 AH-129D operational and 16 A-129CBT for training.

Introduced in Update "Kings of Battle", the main difference between the AH-129D and the A-129CBT is primarily armament. The Delta is able to equip SPIKE ERs but no TOWs, which are fire-and-forget missiles that track every type of target, simultaneously, thus giving the potential to knock out 8 targets in quick succession. However, the main problem with the SPIKE is its speed. The rest of the helicopter remains the same as the A-129CBT, with good manoeuvrability and acceleration, and a wide selection of air-to-ground and air-to-air armaments.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 1 000 m292 km/h

Max altitude5 400 m

Engine2 х Rolls-Royce GEM 2-1004D

Take-off weight5 t

Outfitting the AH-129D with general payload options (Spikes,Hellfires, rockets, air-to-air missiles) does not make the helicopter any slower than its adversaries, in fact at times you'll easily be one of the fastest helicopters on the battlefield. The AH-129D is able to do manoeuvres other helicopters can only dream about, even with full payload options. In Ground RB matches however, there should not be many times you'll have to move too much to avoid enemies. You are able to get good positions thanks to your speed, and, if done right, you will be able to dodge incoming missiles from enemy SPAA or jet aircraft.

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at _,___ m)		Max altitude (metres)
	AB	RB
Stock	269	253	5400
Upgraded	319	295

Survivability and armour

IRCM

Protects against IR-guided missiles

Crew2 people

Speed of destruction

Structural460 km/h

Gear420 km/h

Unlike its the A-129 CBT, the AH-129D has access to the MAWS (missile approach warning system) which can be configured to activate together and automatically set off its counter-measures in game. Generally speaking however the AH-129D is not very survivable. Like many helicopters at its battle rating, it is prone to exploding into many pieces after a hit from a missile. It does have some armour on the cockpit area, but in battles that won't really protect you from anything you'll face. The AH-129D uses Kevlar boron carbide, a composite material which is limited only to instrument, floor and side panels around the cockpit. It does not provide the same level of protection as seen on other helicopters.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB8 741 → 15 768

RB4 552 → 8 211

SB6 104 → 11 011

Total cost of modifications308 000

454 000

Talisman cost2 900

Crew training300 000

Experts1 030 000

Aces3 000

Research Aces1 140 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 200 / 240 %

238 / 238 / 238 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 340 Replacing helicopter blades Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 480 Engine Research: 13 000 Cost: 19 000 440 Cover Research: 20 000 Cost: 29 000 680	Flak jacket Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 340 Helicopter frame Research: 13 000 Cost: 19 000 440 EFS Research: 20 000 Cost: 29 000 680	FN HMP400 LCC Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 340 t_160_belt_pack Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 340 HL-19-70 Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 340 Flares/Chaff Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 340 FN RMP LC Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 480 t_160_new_gun Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 480 AGM-114 2 Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 480 IRCM Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 480 bmg50_belt_pack Research: 13 000 Cost: 19 000 440 AIM-92 Stinger Research: 13 000 Cost: 19 000 440 Spike ER Research: 13 000 Cost: 19 000 440 NVD Research: 13 000 Cost: 19 000 440 bmg50_new_gun Research: 20 000 Cost: 29 000 680 ATAM Research: 20 000 Cost: 29 000 680 Spike ER /4 Research: 20 000 Cost: 29 000 680

Armaments

Night vision devices

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Offensive armament

The AH-129D is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 20 mm TM197B cannon, nose turret (500 rpg) + 90 x countermeasures
  • 1 x 20 mm TM197B cannon + 90 x countermeasures + IRCM

Suspended armament

The AH-129D can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

Default weapon presets
Without load 28 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets 76 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets 2 x 12.7 mm FN M3P machine guns (250 rpg = 500 total) 2 x 12.7 mm FN M3P machine guns (250 rpg = 500 total) + 6 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 4 x AGM-114B Hellfire missiles 8 x AGM-114B Hellfire missiles 4 x Spike ER missiles 8 x Spike ER missiles 8 x ATAS (AIM-92) missiles 8 x Mistral missiles

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in a helicopter, the features of using the helicopter in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Access to SPIKE ER2 fire and forget anti-tank missiles
• Access to MAWS (missile approach warning system)
• Very good and in most cases, unmatched manoeuvrability
• Good speed
• Deadly 20 mm autocannon
• Can carry AIM-92 Stinger or Mistral air-to-air missiles
• Very effective anti-tank capabilities
• Has access to countermeasures and a ballistic computer
• Access to IRST auto tracker which is very effective against planes
• Has IRCM which prevents the stable lock of IR missiles without ECCM

Cons:

• Fragile, cannot tank as many hits as its counterparts
• Spike fire-and-forget missiles are extremely slow

History

The story of the A129 Mangusta "Delta", (also known as A129 ESS, AH-129D and A129 Mangusta) began during the late stages of the Cold War. The helicopter began to be developed at the request of the Italian Army, whom saw the need to equip its air units with a dedicated attack helicopter with anti-tank capabilities. The A129 was the first dedicated attack helicopter fully designed and built in Western Europe. Its project began in 1978 and its final project was ready only in 1982. The A129 made its first official maiden flight on the 15th of September of 1983, at the Agusta company Cascina-Costa facilities. The flight lasted about 30 minutes. Agusta pilots were extremely happy with the results, and went on record and said that the helicopter had great handling. They had previously only performed shake down flights twice prior to the first official flight. It was given the name Mangusta by the Italian army and Agusta employees. This name was mainly chosen due to the fact that the A129 was a direct competitor of the Bell A-1 Cobra that at that time rivaled the Agusta project. (The mongoose is known for its ease in killing poisonous snakes).

Agusta would continue to develop the A129 Mangusta and would see extensive service in the Balkans as part of the Italian peace keeping contigent for the NATO lead KFOR. It would also be used in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. After the first A-129A's began being used in service, Agusta developed the A-129 International which was primarily made for export. In short during that era they didn't have a lot of luck but did use what they learned from the International by making what is known as the A-129 Mangusta "Combat" or "CBT" for short. The CBT was an updated version for the Italian Army, incorporating the same advances of the International version where the avionics and armament were modernized, the motorization however was kept original with Rolls Royce Gem 2-1004D's that produced a maximum unit power of 1120 HP. Years would pass and the CBT would require one final upgrade for it to remain in service, as such Agusta would once again be in charge and would look into what the Italian army would require.

After a lot of talk and design proposals, Agusta would finally come out with the A-129 Mangusta "Delta" also known as the AH-129D. The Delta variant of the Mangusta would be first presented in 2011. It would be highly advanced as it replaced the now out of service TOW anti-tank missile with the Israeli-made Spike fire-and-forget missile. The AH-129D variant also improved the avionics and optics of the Mangusta, incorporating the Rafael TOPLITE optic which offered not only better visibility but improved also in the zoom and thermal imaging department. The first user of the AH-129D would be the 5th regiment of the AVES (Aviazione dell'Esercito), Italy would go unto quickly use it in Afghanistan. What was discovered is that during its service there, the AH-129D would rack up more flight hours than its peers as according to pilots stationed there at the time, the Mangusta was better suited for this type of counter-insurgency role. As of now the Delta variant of the Mangusta is still very much in active service, but by 2027 the Italian army hopes that Leonardo will have begun to deliver the replacement of the Delta, known as the AH/AW-249 'Fenice'.

Devblog

Following the introduction of the A129 CBT into service, Agusta continued refining the design of their light attack helicopter and quickly developed a successor model in the early 2010s — the AH-129D. Closely resembling the preceding A129 CBT, the new 'Delta' variant featured updated avionics and a new targeting system as well as improved structural strength through the use of more advanced materials. Crucially however, the updated electronics enabled the helicopter to be armed with the much more capable Spike ATGMs, which entered service with the vehicle in 2014.

Presently, the A129s in service with the Italian military are undergoing modernization programs to be upgraded to the latest 'Delta' variant of which several dozen vehicles have already completed this modification.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the AH-129D from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Ultimate A-129 Mangusta Guide - Bob Dickinson

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• A129CBT
• A-129 International (p)
• T129

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• [Devblog] AH-129D Mangusta: Spiked Up Mongoose

Agusta
Utility	AB 205 A-1* · A.109EOA-2
Attack	A-129 International (p) · A129CBT · AH-129D · T129**
Export	HKP3C
See Also	Bell Aircraft Corporation · TAI
	*Licensed · **Partnership with TAI