C_A_M_2015_05_

Integrato Auto Protezione — integrated

self-defense system), the latter featuring the

introduction of laser and radar warning

systems.

‘Delta’ Mangusta

Turning now to the latest version, the

AH-129D is identifi ed by the code G19 — the

number 17, traditionally unlucky in Italy,

having been bypassed, the designations

passing directly from G15 to G19. As can be

seen, only odd numbers are used; even-

number designations are meanwhile used

internally by AgustaWestland.

Deliveries of the AH-129D commenced

recently, and at present there are fi ve examples

of the new version available, all assigned to

the 49° Gruppo Squadroni AvEs ‘Capricorno’.

Together with the 27° Gruppo Squadroni AvEs

‘Mercurio’ fl ying the UH-205A (Agusta-Bell

AB205), the 49° Gruppo Squadroni forms part

of the 5° Reggimento AvEs ‘Rigel’ based at

Casarsa della Delizia, in Italy’s most north-

easterly region.

Subject to the satisfactory training of aircrew,

it is likely that the new Mangusta will be

deployed on foreign operations towards the

end of the year. The modifi cations required to

produce the new confi guration involve

rewiring of the airframe to support Israeli-

manufactured equipment provided by Rafael

Advanced Defense Systems, this work being

undertaken at Bergamo-Orio al Serio by the

personnel of the 3° Reggimento di Sostegno

‘Aquila’.

Thanks to a phased program approved by

the Italian parliament in December 2010,

funding is available for the upgrade of two

thirds of the AH-129C fl eet to ‘Delta’ standard.

This requires the purchase of 32 (plus an

option for 16) observation and target

acquisition systems and a similar number of

anti-tank systems and their associated

munitions. The major changes in the new

variant are derived from the acquisition of the

new Rafael Spike-ER (Extended Range)

missile, which represents a signifi cant

advance over the Raytheon BGM-71E TOW

2A missile previously used by the Mangusta.

Externally, the AH-129D differs via the

installation of the Toplite III turret also

supplied by Rafael. Mounted on the nose and

resulting in a new, rounded profi le in this area,

the turret rotates around four axes, offering

360° in azimuth, and an elevation range of -85°

to +35°. The Toplite contains a forward-

looking infra-red (FLIR) sensor, a multi-

AH-129D serial MM81393/EI-923  ies

low over the training area used by the

5° Reggimento AvEs ‘Rigel’, along the

Tagliamento riverbed north-east of

Casarsa. Massimo Baldassini

http://www.combataircraft.net May 2015 87

86-89 AH-129D C.indd 87 20/03/2015 11:14