Philomela
| Philomela Cheppali TH-29 Mugi | |
|---|---|
| |
| A Philomela of the Syaran National Army | |
| Role | Attack helicopter, scout helicopter |
| National origin |  Syara  Tennai
|
| Manufacturer | Cheppali |
| First flight | 1994 |
| Introduction | 1998 |
| Status | In active service |
| Primary user | Royal Tennaiite Army Syaran National Army |
| Produced | 1998– Present |
| Number built | ~1,000 |
The Philomela, also known as the Cheppali TH-29 Mugi, is an attack helicopter jointly produced by Syara and Tennai. It was first designed and produced in the 1990s and was subsequently adopted by both the Syaran National Army and the Royal Tennaiite Army in 1998, and continues to serve with both armies to this day.
The Philomela is an all weather attack helicopter designed to carry out a variety of roles, including anti-armor, armed reconnaissances, ground attack, air escort, and fire support roles. The Philomela/Mugi was among the first combat platforms to be equipped with the Falx anti-tank guided missile, and can also carry air-to-air missiles, rocket pods, and either 12.7mm machinegun arrays or 20mm cannons. The Philomela was noted for its quick start up interval, low fuel consumption, and reduced heat signature, along with integrated electronic counter-measures and data link capability for coordination of friendly forces. Several iterations of the aircraft have been developed since its' introduction, with Tennaiite variants favoring lighter cannons and laser designation systems while Syaran models frequently carry enhanced communication systems and sensor suites.
The Philomela saw extensive service in the Zemplen War, with more than 560 taking part in the conflict. A total of 89 Philomela's were shot down during the course of the war, with another 43 disabled or heavily damaged and withdrawn from service. Despite its frequent usage the Philomela was often overshadowed by its Ruvelkan counterparts, including the HH2 and HH3 Attack Helicopters. Philomela's frequently engaged in combat with Ruvelkan attack helicopters and gunships, the largest instance of helicopter-on-helicopter "dog-fighting" in history.