Türkiye's ATAK-2 heavy attack helicopter makes maiden flight PHOTO/VIDEO

The T929 heavy attack helicopter developed within the ATAK-2 project successfully completed its maiden flight today.

According to Caliber.Az, this was reported by SavunmaSanayiST.com on its Twitter page.

ATAK-2 Ağır Sınıf Taarruz Helikopteri ilk uçuşunu yaptı!https://t.co/IIkrrIpxWu

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) April 28, 2023

Ismail Demir, president of the Defence Industry, said, "We join the enthusiasm of TEKNOFEST in Istanbul with a kind welcome from Ankara. Our ATAK-2 heavy attack helicopter took to the air for the first time. We congratulate TUSAŞ and all our participants".

The engine was started and the endurance test on the ground was completed, ATAK-2 successfully performed its first test flight between 3 pm and 3.15 pm with the wheels completely off the ground.

The ATAK-2 was designed with domestic and national capabilities in mind to meet the objectives of increased payload and combat stock (1,200kg without launchers), modern avionics systems, reduced logistics costs, and high performance.

The helicopter will have a take-off weight of over 10 tonnes, a practical ceiling of 6100 metres, a maximum speed of 315 km/h, and a payload weight of 1,200-1,500 kg. Under each plane, there will be three external sling assemblies. The main armament: either a three-barrelled 20 mm cannon or a single-barrelled 30 mm.

The helicopter can carry 70-mm unguided rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, man-portable air defense systems and unguided bombs. The cockpit is fully armoured.