Fenice: The next-generation Italian AW249 attack helicopter takes to the skies

The Italian armed forces are due to receive the Fenice, the first Western attack helicopter to take flight in recent years that's been designed from scratch.
The AW249 Fenice, which means Phoenix, is the next-generation aircraft for the Italian army, and bears an uncanny resemblance to the AH-64 Apache..
According to the helicopter's developer, Leonardo, "the AW249 is tailored to the future battlespace and is fully equipped to provide advanced net-centric capabilities for multi-domain operations".
More: www.forces.net/technology/air...
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[@Melior_Traiano]

The bots and 12 year olds have no clue that Italy has been building high-grade helicopters for more than 40 years now.

[@TheJensss]

"High-grade" depends on who you ask. The NH90 series is not a success at all, just ask the Norwegians about that

[@Melior_Traiano]

@@TheJensss Thats not Italian, that is a joint venture by multiple nations. Those joint ventures are often plagued by various issues, so no surprises there.

[@TheJensss]

@@Melior_Traiano True, but the same manufacturer was involved in that project also. To prove them self they have to deploy their helicopters and run them for 5 years to show how they work and how much they cost to operate. The American made helicopters often have eay lower cost for the flight hour

[@intersezioni]

@@TheJensss Siemens trains also have problems, yesterday DB blocked the supply for example

[@TheJensss]

@@intersezioni they had many years to fix the issues but never did...

[@alanmcmillan6969]

Looks very competent, a good addition for Italy!

[@williamzk9083]

It looks like yet another undersized under-powered European attack helicopter that can't carry the sensors, systems, weapons and Armour needed.

[@gansior4744]

Italian were the first in Europe to make a tandem seat Attack helicopter. Not even gonna mention that they had the first flights in roughly the same type

[@JuniorJuni070]

ok and ?

[@EthanThomson]

You sure? AH-1 cobra was the first attack helicopter

[@AtheistOrphan]

⁠@@EthanThomson- True, but read the original comment - First in EUROPE. I don’t think the AH-Cobra is of European origin.

[@pitmarkovic4545]

😂🎉no you wrong Italy with Leonardo take to build at Future one at Europe to build and came from Tiger project so than start by Leonardo to make at Future not small lite size Compat there like to build fully compat Heli and before many many like together with Germany but German not understanding.Sorry for bad write

[@theplum2706]

​@@pitmarkovic4545euro tiger project came after the first A-129. What the hell are you about?

[@andrewbeeching1240]

Not often a brand new military helicopter hits the skies. Congrats!

[@davedevonlad7402]

Looks like a Mangusta and an Apache had a baby 😂

[@riandyhuey5114]

gaijin employee: write that down, write that down

[@ivanstrydom8417]

Bravisimo Italy. Multo Bene!! DaVinci still at it?

[@joe-vl3nd]

Looks good probably 60%less in cost than the Apache 😅

[@williamzk9083]

And probably 60% less capability to carry the sensors,Armour and missiles needed to deal with the latest threats. It probably also lacks range to avoid destruction by Iskander type missiles on the ground.

[@M4T1J4P0]

@@williamzk9083 it is highly probable you're a russian troll

[@patroooo]

@@williamzk9083 bla bal bla.. check apache specs first!

[@solinvictus1234]

​@@williamzk9083Sure buddy...it's clear that you don't know what are you talking about.

[@cherrypoptart2001]

@@williamzk9083 apache got armor ? lol

[@B-A-L]

The UK needs to buy into this programme and stop relying on overexpensive America stuff that we can't afford. If Italy has confidence enough to buy into the Tempest program we should have the confidence to return the favour!

[@maxsaita9515]

Italy is in Tempest program

[@NineSeptims]

UK already has Wildcat Mk.1 and Apache. Is a total waste of money to replace right now. Maybe in 10 years.

[@wor53lg50]

They already have a part of this the W in AW means westland...and the A is the Italian side of Augusta..like the Euro fighter the Eurocopter was the same sort of thing, this is basically a upgraded Eurocopter..

[@Swift407]

You are right and I think italy should buy the challenger 3. We are sharing many programs at this point

[@wor53lg50]

@@Swift407 italians dont need to buy the challenger 3 they've built a superb one themselves called the C1 Ariete...

[@marinecorpsman5]

People are blind and dumb. The Fenice looks like a fatter, meaner Mangusta. I love the Apache as much as the next guy but thinking the Fenice looks the same just screams room temp IQ. Props to Italy for continuing to be a major player in the attack helicopter scene. I wonder when the US will field a next-gen helo instead of pumping out a million Apaches.

[@solinvictus1234]

It's not the same as the Mangusta or the Apache (is based on the AW149). The Fenice have the payload lift of an Apache, semi-stealth capabilities, it goes faster and have a more extended op range than a Mangusta. And most important it have a multidomain and multitargeting warfare system (basically it can do what an F-35 do when it's not engaged in combat, function as awacs and target designator for all other army branches) and the Co-Pilot can remotely contro drones for reconnaissance or attacking support, and the Co-pilot not only can control the one fitted inside the heli but also all the other drones launched by land, giving to a single heli the capability to have a drone storm at his disposal. It's a different beast. Better even than the Apache.

[@marinecorpsman5]

@@solinvictus1234 Thanks for reading me the press release. I never said they were the same.

[@Longhauler85]

Well, we were developing the Comanche stealth attack helicopter in the 90's and early 2000's, but that program got scrapped in 2006. So who knows.

[@solinvictus1234]

@@Longhauler85 It was scrapped cause the US army didn't thinked to use it as an air command controller for drones other than an attack heli. A thing that Italians did apparently.

[@trotamarmorata2673]

Yes :.... but clown comentary dont'have sense!!!

[@trs4u]

"phoenix ... has no ashes to rise from" made me laugh, thanks

[@trotamarmorata2673]

Ah no.... mangusta???...but to no brain people.....what????

[@SK-gc7xv]

Who let an Apache and Cobra make Italian babies?

[@solinvictus1234]

It derives from the AW 149. Nor Apache neither Cobra have anything to do with it

[@trotamarmorata2673]

Aw249 Is to much Power!!;

[@marcospalluto.]

The fenice is better my man

[@abelederon855]

Chi ha permesso di appropriarsi dei disegni di Leonardo? :)

[@DailyFrankPeter]

No special permission needed in Italy.

[@Ripper13F1V]

Im surprised no one has said anything desparaging, like attack helicopters are dead because - stealth drones. Well, I feel they are still very much needed. It's a shame big army nixed the Bell 360 Invictus, as it has a place on the modern battlefield.

[@solinvictus1234]

Cause this heli can remotely control storm of drones, plus it have jamming capabilities against any drones would get closer to it.

[@chaomaochowmein]

Attack helicopters aren't dead

[@Zetler]

So they build an 80s era attack helicopter platform to deploy in 2027? I'm sure it'll be fine.

[@chaomaochowmein]

Looks good

[@DDD893]

It looks like Agusta A129 Mangusta - current Italian attack helicopter. Why compare it to Apache?

[@Leptospirosi]

Because it has the weight and the size of an Apache, while the Mangusta is half of that.

[@ivanstrydom8417]

Huzzah!!! A man of quality!!

[@gansior4744]

Because Media are clueless. Fenice looks like Mangusta, one of the first attack Helicopters, and they are like: APACHEEE!

[@DDD893]

@@Leptospirosi you are right. I assumed it the same size, similar to other European attack helicopters, like A129 and Tiger. Still layout is much like A129, so I think it's more relevant here

[@verdebusterAP]

Because the Apache is the gold standard for attack helicopters

[@Nainara32]

I wonder how much appetite there will be for manned low altitude rotary wing attack platforms in 10 years. They're quite expensive and they'll need to contend with both drones and anti-drone platforms both of which will become ubiquitous.

[@SuperChodot]

Well if you believe the Russian, they said both Mi28M and Ka52 played a very significant role in stopping Ukraine counter offensive with their long range weapon.

[@solinvictus1234]

When you realize that this heli can remotely operate drones for reconnaissance and attack via Co-pilot. And not only the drone it have fitted inside but all the drones launched via land or sea...

[@someutubchannel69]

With all anti air weapons.... Are these still good on a Modern battlefield?

[@gansior4744]

It will probably carry Mistral's, just like the Mangusta currently in service. Its a modern IR-missile with IRCCM and overall great seeker. Basically more than enough for what Helicopter can face

[@kmystak]

There are new techs coming out at the next 5 years which will prevent AA seeking and others that will add long range Air-to-Ground lethality. Gunships are far from obsolete, they will be a great defensive/counter-attacking measure in the 30s.

[@solinvictus1234]

It can remotely control drones via copilot. Not only his drone but all the drones launched via land or sea. It have multidomain and multitargeting systems (it's also an awacs basically). So yeah, actually until US will not launch a new heli, this one raised the bar of the best worlds heli.

[@02suraditpengsaeng41]

It's not like fate of tank Aircraft are often untouchable

[@tomasestro2345]

Quando entrerà in servizio spero presto

[@PushpakRay]

It looks like LCH prachand. :)

[@SolidShot]

What a beauty!

[@bladyfuego2041]

Bellísimo

[@gideonvanniekerk4252]

Looks like a Denel Rooivalk :)

[@carlthomas1587]

Whers the radar?

[@genaldhallulli3496]

What is the price per unit?

[@priscillazietsman1300]

Could you perhaps compare it to the South African Rooivalk?

[@DDD893]

Maybe better to Italian Agusta A129?

[@Leptospirosi]

It is broadly similar to the Rooivalk: same weight class and dimensions. The difference in about what is under the skin: advanced materials, composite rotors, state of the art engines, fly by wire controls and blades made to guide the air flow across the rotors through the fuselage: it is well known that the EH101 (another Leonardo machine) was a breeze to land in Afghanistan, as the downward wind was blowing dust away from the landing site instead of raising a storm which killed visibility. This is one of the worst characteristics of the Apache, for example, in the same conditions. Another aspect of a modern helicopter, compared to one 45 years old as the Rooivalk, is compatibility with upcoming technology and modules, where in an old airframe you have to bolt everything wherever you can squeeze it. Maintenance is improved tenfolds due to integrated design. The AW249 was designed drawing on the 40 years battlefield experience of the AW129 a smaller and lighter helicopter which was upgraded recently with the ATAK AT129 in Turkey. Overall, an attack helicopter does not change much in the external look, but behind the skin it could be a completely different beast from anything else. Being Leonardo one of the top world helicopter manufacturer, I guess they know how to do that.

[@jacksonteller1337]

This one would suit the Germans better than the AH-64E they are looking at. They want to replace the Eurocopter Tigre but for now they only seem to be looking at a very lightweight utility helicopter and the too heavy for most tasks Guardian. It looks like this is a good alternative for the replacement, not too heavy and a true gunship.

[@solinvictus1234]

Leonardo will never sell it to Germany, not after what the German Krauss-Maffei did to them.

[@jacksonteller1337]

@@solinvictus1234 that's the hurt bottom actions that eventually led to two world wars. It starts with small things.

[@solinvictus1234]

@@jacksonteller1337 Say that to Germans. Leonardo and the Italian army wanted the Leopard 2A8 for the Army, KM at first said yes and signed a memorandum with Leonardo where them asked to buy the Leopard but to have some production line settled in Italy for homegrow working, then KM refused the memorandum and gived an ultimatum to Leonardo saying that if they want the Leopard they should have just buyed it, with strong restriction upon the use and that for the spare parts they should have also buyed it trough KM. This seems crazy for a 30 y/o project, so Leonardo rightly refused saying to KM that it was not acceptable. That surely will lead Leonardo to no agree with any German request for thr AW249...rightly i should say.

[@mangalores-x_x]

@@solinvictus1234 that is not how businesses work. Being butthurt because projects fall through due to conflicting interests is in itself bad business. You are essentialy suggesting Leonardo rejecting a multi billion Euro contract from a customer because some other company this customer has close business ties with was a meanie. That is idiotic

[@Gridlocked]

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the German Army settles for the Apache, just based on the amount of airframes and spare parts there are.

[@ZakiSalem-zh5gr]

They just discovered the long bow apache 🤯

[@solinvictus1234]

They already knowed it. Leonardo build all the UK Apache since years.

[@Gridlocked]

⁠​⁠@@solinvictus1234The AN/APG-78 Longbow isn’t manufactured by Leonardo though, it’s exclusively manufactured by LM and Northrop.

[@solinvictus1234]

@@Gridlocked UK doesn't have AN/APG-78 fitted on their Apaches. There's tech that US do not concede to their allies

[@Budget_Prepper]

Looks like an Apache designed by someone who only heard what an Apache looked like.

[@patroooo]

A 129 mangusta...

[@solinvictus1234]

1. This is based on the AW149. 2. Leonardo actually build Apaches with his Agusta Westland branch, for UK. 3. Now return to play COD kiddo

[@patriotsakaalsalazar4111]

It's basically a modern version of the cobra.

[@tornasever]

no?

[@paolocarpi4769]

It's a modern version of the Mangusta.

[@patriotsakaalsalazar4111]

@@paolocarpi4769 which one came first the mangosta or cobra?

[@paolocarpi4769]

​@@patriotsakaalsalazar4111 LoL. Pathetic try. So why don't you say the same about the Mangusta and the Cobra? Ah, because you didn't even know it existed? I'm not here to teach you the history of military aircraft, open a book or google it.

[@henrikchristensen8458]

why no mast mounted sensors ?

[@stephengilmore2741]

They seem to have gone the 'stealthy' route, and a Longbow-style radar would counteract that. But who knows? It may be modular.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Optional extra.

[@matthewbaynham6286]

Let's see if the Germans buy any. There was a news story a few years ago that most of the German military helicopters were broken down and out of service. A bit like the tanks, and submarines, and everything in the German military. Which would be one reason why they can't recruit enough soldiers. Who wants to work in a military where all the equipment you rely on to keep you alive is broken down.

[@Melior_Traiano]

Are you German? The Germans tend to support their own defense industry to retain the capabilities to produce their own weapons instead of buying everything from their allies. France, GB, Italy etc. all do the same. The low recruitment numbers are simply due to domestic politics (guilt over WWII, lack of national pride, leftist policies etc.). And if German equipment is so bad, then why do so many Western nations want to get German HK416 or SIGs, Leopard 2s, IRIS-T SLMs and Taurus cruise missiles for their militaries?

[@Gridlocked]

German policymakers will need to begin to start taking defense expenditures seriously for any change to materialize.

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

Looks to be a beast... but in three years time, AI and tech will have taken a quantum leap so I am expecting much more from this wonderful machine. Possibly even remote piloting?

[@gansior4744]

Pretty sure this was the big part of new optics and sensors, to be future proof and allow compatibility with AI to increase the capabilities while not increasing the workload

[@solinvictus1234]

It already have the remote piloting of drones integrated (a single drone or a storm of drones launced by land or sea) via copilot. Leonardo also build it woth an huge amount of free spaced data storage to future further AI implementation.

[@DailyFrankPeter]

Behold the Appacci

[@user-lz2qr6ih4c]

Better or worst use Better if not

[@ggoddkkiller1342]

It looks too close to A129&T129 to be called 'entirely new design', it is literally improved version of a proven design. It isn't a bad thing at all rather a good thing and i'm sure it would perform well for Italy. My only concern would be why they didn't move 20mm cannon a little bit back under fuselage. If it is so close to sensors on nose it affects them badly while firing.

[@stefanoR4327]

If you use the same approach without knowing the design you can sated that the WV Golf is always the same.

[@solinvictus1234]

It have nothing to do with the A129 or T129 (that are the same heli if you don't know). It is entirely based on the AW149. Saying that it resemble the A129 it mean being blind.

[@stefanoR4327]

@@solinvictus1234 You are partially right about AW149, due to the company’s family concept, but it also has some systems solutions developed for this aircraft (clearly not related to the weapon systems).

[@E.D.998]

Same designer, similar layout. Note it is twice the weight, has no parts in common with 129. its also based on 149 engine-transmission-rotors, while 129 dynamic system was stand-alone, no 129 part had a civil relative. 129 is super nice but you cant squeeze much more into 4500kg M.T.O.W., at some point it became "you want the fuel or the ammo?" problem. Consider 129 was for national defense, short range hit and run. And now it has to do long range mission on the desert with an extra gun, extra avionics and weapons it was never designed for. They did great but 129 is stretched to the limit. A completely new heli was needed at this point.

[@E.D.998]

about the gun...if you crash land, the gun doesnt end up in the cockpit. Idk if theres another reason. 129 had a record of very good crash survivability.

[@davidrobertson5700]

Some needs to build real Airwoof and Blue Thunder

[@Twirlyhead]

Bloo Thunder.

[@davidrobertson5700]

@@Twirlyhead maybe like my comment like I liked yours . Please

[@AtheistOrphan]

WOOF! (Wasn’t it actually called AirWOLF?) 😀

[@alessiodecarolis]

Germany, and perhaps the aussies, should give it a try, given their past (& VERY unpleasant !) experience with the awful Tiger, ironically born by the french as counterpart to the A129, and that, after a long development (from early '80s to 21th century!), was refused by a lot of clients, for all the problems it caused. Now Germany is without AT choppers, and project to replace its' with a military version of a civilian one, but generally these ones doesn't end well on the battlefront.

[@AK47z]

Got nothing on Goldeneyes Eurocopter Tiger.

[@dunbar555]

side cyclic ? interesting

[@polduran]

An upgraded mangusta

[@grrrrr81]

Wrong

[@michaelcullen6923]

How is this an improvement over the Tiger?

[@theplum2706]

Because it isn't. Tiger it's a completely different project between france and germany

[@E.D.998]

reliability/maintenance is one. this is a 2020 helcopter. 1980 heli are so nice but also... lets say it was a different era, where aviation and hangar time were synonims.

[@A-10Thunderbolt-lk7ul]

Looks like a modernised Rooivalk

[@serwolf2443]

😂😂😂

[@theplum2706]

Looks like a modernised A-129 to me. And to the rest of the world

[@LeonardoUgoliniSANDSCULPTOR]

👍

[@user-vd8xs6zd5w]

우수한 BERP 블레이드 기술을 사용하겠죠?

[@solinvictus1234]

Yes

[@waskus]

Looks abit like blue thunder… abit.

[@crossefire01]

Looks like an Apache with a touch of downs....

[@solinvictus1234]

The only down here it's you, if your eyes can't ser the huge design difference between this one and the Apache. Are two totally different helis

[@PaleandPastey]

"Mamma mia, can we have Apache Attack Helicopter?" "No, We have Apache at home!" Apache at home:

[@Decrepit_biker]

Slow clap 👏 😂

[@pepperroni6252]

Better than an apache

[@solinvictus1234]

Is based on the AW149. Actually is better than the Apache.

[@02suraditpengsaeng41]

Managed to be even uglier than A129 But hey at least pizza engineer finally figured out how2storage cannon belt inside fuselage

[@nosferatus777]

You really sound like a smug fool!

[@solinvictus1234]

Poor fool. Knowing nothing about heli and still talking. An envy Indian maybe understanding that his Prachand is no way near this one? Yep.

[@gabban7883]

Are you a fat hamburger engineer?

[@kevinblackburn3198]

And? Hardly the upgrade I would have expected in 2024.

[@solinvictus1234]

You don't even know what it is capable to do, why talking?

[@umashankersah6417]

Same as hal lch

[@solinvictus1234]

In your wet dreams....maybe

[@geraldmarfoe348]

Please give its capabilities in metric units (km/s instead of knots, m/s instead of feet/s).

[@malcolmstonebridge7933]

No expert but I think aviation uses Imperial units (sort of).

[@BreannaVK3BBS]

Knots is still the ICAO unit for speed and feet for altitude.

[@theplum2706]

Nobody except russians use metrics over imperial in aviation.

[@user-ve8ub6mf8q]

does it have a cappuccino machine

[@gabban7883]

Capuccino is better than garbage ketchup !

[@TheJensss]

I'm been sceptical when you see how much trouble there has been with the NH90. They could not even deliver the once Norway ordered, and the once who was delivered had a huge amount of faults

[@riccardo.pratesi]

NHIndustries....is not only Leonardo!

[@TheJensss]

@@riccardo.pratesi I know, but they are involved

[@user-tb2ux8xq3b]

Dude, you have very confused ideas, you're talking about one of the top four helicopter manufacturers in the world, so before saying that they are incapable you should read up and see how many fly without problems in the world!

[@solinvictus1234]

Leonardo is involved with NHindustries only for the heli purposedly made for the Italian army branches, not for others countries orders. Agusta Westland is a different beast.

[@TheJensss]

@@user-tb2ux8xq3b I just said I was skeptical because a delivery they where a part on was a complete failure.

[@yurianasy]

Heavy Class

[@Longhauler85]

The Italian version of "Blue Thunder" movie (1983).

[@braddbradd5671]

Looks nice im not sure which is better this or the Prachand i think im gona go with the Prachand

[@timmurphy5541]

Looking at Ukraine I wonder how the world will change for helicopters in general. They're getting immensely fancy and probably quite expensive and yet from what has happened over there they seem very vulnerable to me. I'm no expert of course!

[@gansior4744]

They have been vulnerable for Russians, mainly because they have no air supremacy and they use very poor tactics, which are dictated by the poor weaponary and sensors, which make them fly closer to the target. Modern helicopter with Data Link, ECM, EW, MAWRS and Fire and Forget missiles basically allow for Western helicopters to fly differently and not use them as a pseudo air-MLRS, which achieves basically nothing

[@Andre-kg6fu]

LOL That looks like a pleasure cruise copter

[@MassBuilder1221]

Looks like an Apache made from legos

[@Jimmythefish577]

What are ‘legos’?

[@MassBuilder1221]

@@Jimmythefish577what kind of childhood did you have if you don’t know what LEGOS are?

[@apusupa738]

​​@@MassBuilder1221 I had none and had no interest in getting them... ;-) Meanwhile there are other much cooler brands with the same functions and a much better price. Cobi, Mould King...

[@pepperroni6252]

@@MassBuilder1221 Legos arent a real thing, you must mean Lego

[@solinvictus1234]

Looks like you're blind. Is based on the AW 149.

[@GunnerRA155]

Looks like if you ordered an Apache ordered from Temu!

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Clueless

[@f.b.l.9813]

it's probably good, Italians make good stuff, definitely not Chinesium

[@Leptospirosi]

Like a Ford 150 bought from Mercedes. You can expect some improvements 😏

[@spidertube79]

This helicopter is better than the Apache!

[@haldur86]

Hehehe

[@adamharlot5927]

Looks like it’s deployment or mission time on the field will be very short due to its vulnerability being at low altitude, would need back up from SEAD planes to be remotely effective

[@apachetamizha]

Prachand of hindustan aeronautics limited will rule the world

[@solinvictus1234]

Prachand is a light heli with already outdated features, things that, for example an old Tiger in his first version and not updated already has.

[@apachetamizha]

@@solinvictus1234 every machine in the world gets old. But this helo is very special in point of India's view. For us the this is the great helo. Recently UK defence minister sanctioned and placed order for HAL PRACHAND Worth Rs 50,000 crores 🇮🇳

[@Rahul_Singh100]

@@solinvictus1234 bhai ye sab chewtiyape waale comment kyon karte ho? Kisko ahankar dikha rahe ho bhai. Apne desh ki defense dusre desho se import hoti hai. Yaha Bangladesh ko appease karna padta hai, aur tum yaha rule wule ki chewtiyape waali baate kar ke Indians ki negative image banwa rahe ho. Kya milta hai aise comments karke?

[@solinvictus1234]

​@@Rahul_Singh100cause i'm fighting the fake info people give upon this machineries.

[@mickhall88]

Seems less capable than an Apache, especially the latest AH-47E, so a direct comparison seems unfair.

[@solinvictus1234]

Seems...you said it well.

[@bennikdk_4927]

The time for attack helicopter with pilots is over.... drohn attack helicopter oder drohns can do all for cheap money without humans in the cockpit. The drohns can carry a higher payload and and have more range.

[@waynerhode6470]

Is it just my imagination - or does this helicopter look very much like the old South African Rooivalk attack helicopter...

[@solinvictus1234]

Is based on the AW149. Nothing to do with Rooivalk

[@B-A-L]

​@@solinvictus1234AW129

[@theplum2706]

Its only your imaginatio

[@solinvictus1234]

@@B-A-L Nope, not based on the Mangusta as people believe. It's officially based on Agusta Westland AW149, as Leonardo also stated.

[@pauln0371]

Why is it they all tend to look like the Apache???

[@stephengilmore2741]

Because the seating layout is generally superior, and that dictates the shape significantly. The easiest and most logical place to put the avionics is around the bottom of the cockpit, so you get that Apache-style bulge. And well, wing stubs are just a practicality. It's not that they all look like the Apache, it's that the Apache just got there first.

[@Leptospirosi]

Mostly because the Apache looks like a cobra, but with a raised rear seat and wheels. You need a very slim profile from the front, to decrease the target, bulges to host a very strong landing gear, wings, to carry weapons, a rotor, two engines and a tail rotor. If you look the side of the AW249 and the AH64 they look very different, being conventional helicopters.

[@gansior4744]

It looks like a Mangusta, helicopter that this one is replacing. Basically AW and Boeing made similiar helicopters at the same time. Both prototypes took first Flight in like a span of a Year. And why that specific design, is because tandem seats unable great visibility for both crewmen, Two Engines for more power and low hang tail for Flight characteristics

[@Aloh-od3ef]

Looks about as aerodynamic as a brick 😂

[@marcospalluto.]

Italy is second to none in helicopter production and we're talking about Leonardo! Could you do better?

[@randerson9525]

Mom: we have an apache at home.. The Apache at home...

[@solinvictus1234]

In a short time it will be the opposite. And by the way is derived from the AW149, nothing to do with the Apache, but you should know about heli to know that, child.

[@ebutuoyYT]

Would be good against small boats, just saying….

[@Wanderer628]

Ngl I laughed when I first saw it. Think it's the windows, they look goofy.

[@NehruJuliets]

Looks like copy of HAL Prachand LCH

[@solinvictus1234]

Is based on the AW149...

[@titfortat5727]

Hal pra what? "😂

[@sabian8700]

Cockpit area looks extremely vulnerable to everything

[@stephengilmore2741]

If you're getting close enough to the enemy for them to be able to target the glass on your cockpit with small arms fire, then something has gone wrong on the mission. The glass also looks only slightly larger in surface area than an AH-64's.

[@oSJmee]

On a future drone focused battlefield, it’s a waste of money. Especially when it come into service in 3 years. I’m sure drone tech will advance faster than bringing a human carrying machine into the air.

[@solinvictus1234]

Until you realize that this heli can remotely operate a storm of drones via copilot. Launched both via land and sea.

[@oSJmee]

@@solinvictus1234 Something the US army can do for years from the other side of the world…

[@AlFreeman-xy4jy]

Why do you have to belittle the work? This machine does everything you said, it has the LIDAR system and acquires targets for all the operators in the field, and it can lead armed drones to the target.

[@oSJmee]

@@AlFreeman-xy4jy In the end, it’s Italian tax payer money, so I don’t care. I’m just saying, from my point view, it’s not the best way of spending tax payer money. Maybe Italy has some kind of scenario where they need attack helicopters, I don’t know, I can’t see those scenarios at the moment.

[@solinvictus1234]

@@oSJmee Nope, it can't do that on Apaches.

[@andrewbeeching1240]

That instrument mounted just outside the left side of the canopy looks SUPER distracting

[@Christopher_Rock]

Kinda important for the pilot to see wind direction 😂

[@andrewbeeching1240]

@@Christopher_Rock which is exactly why NO other attack helicopter has such an intrusive and active little instrument right in the corner of the pilot's vision, where it's guaranteed to be distracting! 😂

[@andrewbeeching1240]

@@Christopher_Rock besides which, wind direction?? It's right underneath the rotor blades! Do you know what the wind direction is there - always? Down!

[@andrewbeeching1240]

@@Christopher_Rock besides which, everything the helicopter moves in that video, the thing is twitching all over the place. How much attention is the pilot supposed to give it while also trying to fly this thing, attend to multiple radios, etc? The final word on it tho is that I'm obviously wrong about it, because it's been built, tested and flown by people who know what they're doing ... I just find it super-distracting!

[@natekisel7263]

It looks like a 5 year old trying to draw an apache came to life

[@gansior4744]

Or, it looks exactly similar to the helicopter it is replacing, that was build by the same company. So strange

[@Melior_Traiano]

You sound like a 5 year old, whos never even heard about the Mangusta, which has been around since 1983...

[@solinvictus1234]

1. Is based on the AW149, nothing tondo with the Apache. 2. Actually is way better than an Apache, this 5 y/o draw have multidomain and multitargeting systems (it can do whan an F-35 can do in battle management), VRHUD, and it can remotely control storm of drones launched both by land and sea.

[@Porter92]

Not near as big as an apache

[@solinvictus1234]

Yeah, it have the double of op range of the Apache, it can stay in flight 4 hours (vs the 2h of the Apache) it can carry more kilos at paylod that the Apache (1.995kilos the Apache, 2.800 kilo this one) But hey is not near as big as an Apache! US people, so delusional...

[@thejeffinvade]

Attack Helicopters are obsolete. Drones have replaced it in Ukraine

[@solinvictus1234]

This can remotely operate via copilot storm of drones.

[@EliasS5469]

Looks like an apache from Wish

[@solinvictus1234]

Childs like you should stop to having weird eyes. It's based upon the AW149 how coult it resemble an Apache? The world doesn't spin around US.

[@SC-vw1nx]

Turkish defence is fixing up their issues !!

[@solinvictus1234]

Turkis defence? Ahahahah Turkish defence wasn't and aren't capable to fix or built anything, that's why they prayed on their knees Leonardo to sell them the capability to build the A-129 under the name ATAK. With this one it will not gonna happen.

[@halilreissedyeci1956]

turkish defence😂 t129 is not turkey made, it is just a variant of a129 assemblend in turkey under italy license, it has italian body(a129) and american engine(lhtec cts800), not a new heli, not a different heli

[@l.b.3416]

Leonardo has a lot of garbage to offer indeed. A new attack-heli in 2024 is just one of many questionable designs of them.

[@solinvictus1234]

Talking about garbage...not knowing anything about helis

[@CHRISTO_1001]

🔑🔑🔑🥇👨‍👩‍👧💛💛🏏🏏🏏🏏

[@MrBoombastic-mn8tf]

Look at those wheels,they look small and weak😂,I think they made this heli for putting pineapple 🍍 topping on Piza😂😂😂

[@gabban7883]

You are just an american teenager ....

[@isma800]

its a cardboard heli

[@Brookspirit]

At least they don't take the easy route by just buying American.

[@3204clivesinclair]

Buying a proven off the shelf aircraft saves on developing your own product.

[@supratik.m]

​@3204clivesinclair Alternatively, it expands the local industry experience and competence, helps in innovation and improvements and stops your partner countries from scr*ng your happiness in event of a conflict when there is mismatch of geopolitical interest of your and your client country. 😉

[@timmurphy5541]

Italy has a helicopter industry - why support someone elses's?

[@gansior4744]

Italy is like the biggest Helicopter manufacturer in the world, why would they buy a Boeing frames? Also Leonardo's helicoptets have been taking part in many conflicts in last decade and they already showed their worth

[@Melior_Traiano]

@@3204clivesinclair This Italian helicopter is based on the Mangusta which has been around since 1983. You guys sound like you have no clue / are a bunch of 12 year olds.

[@SenorTucano]

Attack Helicopters are obsolete. They just don’t know it yet.

[@solinvictus1234]

They know that very well, that's why they gived a new purpose to the attack heli...cause this can remotely control storm of drones.

[@claudionegruzzi3262]

The arrogant Americans are critical of Italian weapons and then are forced to have the ships built by Italy see FREEM type model and then call them by another name, so give to Caesar what is Caesar's

[@sunshinecatcher8779]

Fast backwards

[@OctopusgamingYTw]

Run by tomato 🍅 juice

[@Manny7RM]

Yeah right, that is not started from ground😂

[@asdasdasddgdgdfgdg]

Attack helicopters are obsolete which is why the US cancelled its new attack helicopter program (forgot the exact acronym). But other than that, yeah looks cool.

[@solinvictus1234]

Are obsolete until you unite the firepower of the Apache with the capability of multidomine and multitargeting warfare and the cqpability to remotely control, via copilot, a single drone or storm of drones launched separately via land or sea. Things that this heli can do.

[@omcena]

Lch prachand is god against this

[@Вивсівідстій]

Helly-copter 😂

[@AtheistOrphan]

Yes, that’s how that word is correctly pronounced in English. Check your Oxford English Dictionary for confirmation.

[@Вивсівідстій]

We pronounce it helicopter. So did Igor Sikorsky, the man who invented the helicopter. The helly-copter is the mainstay of British military aviation because they can only afford a small number of jet fighters. Britain lacks the wherewithal to afford and operate strategic bombers, transport aircraft, reconnaissance planes and AWACS airplanes. So they use helly-copters as a cheaper and less-effective alternative.

[@paulcadden4967]

Wow, that's ugly! No doubt it's going to be relatively effective, but damn! 🤨

[@user-lz2qr6ih4c]

Not fast enough sitting duck use yellow wires transponders and antennas and computer parts are old compare

[@solinvictus1234]

Sure buddy. Actually is way better than an Apache, it have multidomain and multitargeting systems (it can do whan an F-35 can do in battle management), VRHUD, and it can remotely control storm of drones launched both by land and sea. Things that the Apache or Alligator could only dreaming about. And it was build with a lot of free data space, to furtherfuture AI improvement.

[@danielbeita9277]

The brother of T-129 Atak copter from turkey

[@solinvictus1234]

The T-129 is not Turk but Italian. It's an A-129 Mangusta hull with an Italian Oto Melara 20mm machinegun with an American engine. It have nothing Turks exept avionics. Turks have simply buyed some Mangusta and did some modification at it to match the yesterday standards of a medium attack heli. This is on a different level.

[@halilreissedyeci1956]

t129 is just a variant of a129 asssmbled in turkey under italy license, not a new heli,not a different heli, it has italian body(a129) and american engine(lhtec cts800) and 20mm italian machinegun oto melara

[@halilreissedyeci1956]

​@@solinvictus1234👍🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@solinvictus1234]

@@halilreissedyeci1956 it's not even assembled totally in Turkey. The hull and the machinegun are sended there by Italy, the turks just fit inside turkish avionics and mount US engines, that's all.

[@halilreissedyeci1956]

@@solinvictus1234 yep bro👍

[@ashleycullen.933]

$20 drone takes one out flying low

[@user-bh9vf2zu1r]

Name a drone that cost $20 to make. FPV gear alone cost more than $60. The bombs attached cost more than $20. The radio controller cost more than $20. Do the math before posting some random figure.

[@gian.4388]

Where has that ever happened? In Ukraine I only saw one instance where a ukrainian FPV drone was very close to hitting a Russian heli, but failed Prop wash would throw the drone downwards as it approched so the drone has to either hit the heli head on while both fly into each other at high speed, or to strike from above

[@solinvictus1234]

I would see your face expression when you realize that it can remotely control storm of drones, via copilot, launched both by land and sea...

[@theplum2706]

You're forgetting the jamming capabilities. No drone can fly close to this helicopter

[@wailinn3076]

Apache Copy 😁😁😁😁😁 I speak behalf of US.

[@solinvictus1234]

Based on AW149, nothing to do with Apache. See an Oculist.

[@abhishekgiri1201]

India's Prachand Light combat helicopter is much better capable of operating at more than 22000 ft. And modern avionics!!

[@solinvictus1234]

I don't think so. But you're Indian so i bet you will not know why, so i will not waste my time.

[@K.Marx48]

it's a light helicopter and costs too much

[@solinvictus1234]

A light helicopter? Ahahahah Apache payload max capacity: 1.995 kilos - Fenice Payload max capacity: 2.800 kilos Apache max operational range: 490 kilometers - Fenice max op range: 795 kilometers Apache can't remotely operate drones nor it have datalink, multidomain and multitargeting warfare systems, Fenice have it. God day child.

[@Devil-mn3dc]

Looks like one of our Army Apache's took a dump while passing through Italy on deployment.

[@solinvictus1234]

It's based upon the AW149. Sleep well, the worlds don't spin around US.