Rotorcraft
Turkey Unveils Unmanned, Electric Attack Helicopter
Turkish Aerospace Industries expects to fly the new, electric-powered, unmanned T629 attack helicopter later this year.
The T629 is a new electric-powered, unmanned military helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. (Photo: TAI)
The T629 is a new electric-powered, unmanned military helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. (Photo: TAI)

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) last week unveiled a preliminary prototype of its all-electric, unmanned, six-ton T629 attack helicopter. The aircraft is expected to make its first flight later this year.

The T629 is intended to be used as a platform for search and rescue, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, and to support Turkey's existing manned T129 ATAK helicopters by flying utility and reconnaissance missions. Similar in silhouette to the two-seat ATAK model, which is also manufactured by government-owned TAI, the T629 has been under development since 2017 and will be capable of carrying anti-tank and unguided missiles. TAI has not disclosed any details about the new aircraft's electric propulsion system or other technology used for the prototype.