spectral sensor, a laser rangefi nder, a laser
designator, a laser spot detector/tracker, and a
day camera.
To optimize the Mangusta for operation of
the Spike, it was necessary to replace the
sighting unit. This now comprises a new-
generation tele-camera with optical and digital
zoom, guaranteeing excellent defi nition even
over long distances. The old system allowed a
good defi nition to be obtained, with some
diffi culty, at ranges no greater than 6-7km.
With the new sighting unit, targets as far as
20km away can be viewed with excellent
defi nition. There are two types of camera: one
digital color camera offering fi ve-times
enlargement, and a thermal camera again
providing fi ve-times enlargement, but which
exploits variations in temperature to enable
recognition of objects or people. The resulting
thermal imagery has a resolution of 640 x 680
pixels.
The new sighting system also includes three
types of laser. One is an eye-safe laser, which
permits the gunner (who occupies the front
seat) to measure the distance between the
helicopter and the target or another reference
point, and which also offers GPS co-ordinates.
The second type is a laser designator that
enables the observed target to be handed over
to another helicopter, an aircraft, or a Joint
Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), all via
datalink. Clearly this procedure is much faster
than that used in the past, when guidance was
provided by audio contact with the other
helicopter or the JTAC. Finally, the laser
marker is a powerful laser aimer that permits
the gunner to identify a target using an optical
ray. This optical ray is only visible through
night vision goggles (NVGs), which allow the
easy identifi cation of a target illuminated by
the laser beam.Revised weapons
The focal point of the new AH-129D is the
new Spike-ER missile, which is far more
advanced than the old TOW. The practical
range of the TOW was around 3.5-4km, but
the Spike can reach 8km. Above all, the sight
used on the ‘Charlie’ had become dated, with
the image defi nition considered less than
ideal. Periodically the sights had to be sent to
the manufacturer for maintenance, and this
often resulted in the TOW having its
maximum range reduced to just 2km, forcing
the helicopter to approach closer to the target.
A Spike launcher on each wing can carry up
to four missiles. The missile is fi tted with two
tele-cameras: one optical, and one infra-red.
The IR camera, like the sight, needs to be kept
cool. As a result, in the middle of the launcher
are two bottles of Argon gas. This ensures the
missile’s thermal seeker, and the sight, remain
cool and function correctly.
The missile is guided via a fi ber-optic wire
that the gunner can detach at any moment
after launch, using two micro-charges
positioned on the missile containers. These
charges self-activate either at a pre-determined
time after launch or when activated by the
crew. An important fact is that while with the
TOW it was only possible to send signals from
the targeting system to the missile. With the
Spike, the wires permit transmission of both
data and video from the targeting system to the
missile, and optical data from the missile to
the helicopter. Using the Spike and the newTop right: The revised nose turret of the
AH-129D is shown to good e ect here.
Massimo Baldassini
Far right: A-129A MM81407/EI-937 in the
unusual two-tone green camou age worn by
a few examples of the Mangusta in the early
1990s. Alessandro Zanot
Below: AH-129D serial MM81393/EI-923 is
closely followed by AH-129C MM81321/EI-908.
Note the di erent armament under the stub
wings and the revised nose turret as well as the
updated engine exhausts. Massimo Baldassini
Above, top: The Observation, Targeting and
Spike Weapon System (OTSWS) simulator.
Massimo Baldassini
Above: The new Spike-ER missile on a ‘Delta’
Mangusta. Massimo Baldassinisight, the AH-129D is now able to hit a target
without actually seeing it, exploiting the
camera in the missile that transmits a visual
picture presented on a screen in the gunner’s
cockpit.
The missile is of the ‘fi re and forget’ type,
and so, if the crew is required to disengage due
to hostile fi re, and therefore cut the fi ber-optic
cable, the missile will continue autonomously
towards the previously acquired target.
The main difference in the cockpit when
compared to the AH-129C is the multi-
function color display (MFCD) screen coupled
with two new joysticks. The previous ‘visor’,
in practice a simple tube, created some
problems, requiring the gunner to stay fi xed
on what looked like a diver’s mask, monitoring
the images being transmitting by the cameras.
This could lead to a loss of spatial awareness,
reducing the gunner’s ability to see what was
going on around the helicopter. The new
screen is located well away from the gunner’s
head, and is suffi ciently large to accurately
monitor all the information derived from the
cameras in the helicopter and on the missile. It
provides superior awareness of what is
happening on the battlefi eld. In a central
position are the two joysticks, which control
the armament and the vision systems. Blue
switches are linked to target acquisition, while
red switches are for the armament. It is
possible to enlarge the images passed by the
optical to the thermal cameras, to utilize the
missile camera, or to switch to laser
operations. The old sight offered up to a
maximum of 180° vision, while the new
system provides almost 310°; this allows the
pilot to disengage from the target at certain
angles while keeping it in view. These
technical improvements reduce the gunner’s
workload, and at the same time enhance his
capabilities.Training e ort
A crew training center (Centro Formazione
Equipaggi — CFE) has been established to
expedite the AH-129D’s path into front-line
service. The CFE consists of three pilots and
nine technical instructors qualifi ed as
controllers. Reporting directly to the
commander of the regiment, the unit is
tasked with ensuring professional and
procedural standards, covering both fl ying88 May 2015 http://www.combataircraft.net86-89 AH-129D C.indd 88 20/03/2015 11:14