News

2019-11-13

The M-346 One Body, Two Souls

In its history as Aermacchi and then Alenia Aermacchi and now Leonardo, over 7,000 aircraft including about 2,000 trainers that have been sold to more than 40 countries, have been built in the Venegono Superiore (near Milan) factories since 1913. The site is also home to Leonardo’s Training System Integrated Centre. In Venegono, the production process of the M-346/M-345 trainers is designed to respond to the requirements of the programme in terms of capacity, cost and quality, together with extensive innovative features.

There is an increasing need for trainer jets in the MENA, as countries in the region work to expand their fighter fleets. The MENA nations have requirements for trainers also able to perform close-air support missions.

Leonardo, as one of the world’s leaders in the training sector thanks to its M-345 and M-346, can cover the pilot training syllabus from phase one to Lead In Fighter Training. A complete Ground Based Training System (GBTS), completely integrated with the platforms and able to ensure both high quality training and strong operating efficiency, complements the aerial platforms. Platforms and systems offer customers worldwide a "turnkey" training solution that can offer high quality standards at every training stage.

Thanks to the company’s over 60 years of experience in the training sector, it can offer to the customers a product portfolio comprising interactive courseware, Flight Training Devices, Full Mission Simulators, mission planning and de-briefing systems, which together constitute the Ground Based Training System. These capabilities translate into a significant reduction of the cost to qualify an Air Force Cadet as combat ready on a latest generation fighter.

Furthermore, Leonardo’s operational proven LVC (Live Virtual Constructive) technologies make it possible to link simulators to real aircraft during training sorties, allowing a pilot flying a training device on the ground to act as the wingman or as a target for an aircraft already in the air; a feature that will significantly increase the use of simulators in spite of costly real aircraft flight hours.

Among the most notable examples that have chosen Leonardo’s training approach is the UAE’s national aerobatic team, Al Fursan – widely recognised as one of the best in the world and considered as the UAE’s national pride, which uses the Aermacchi MB-339 aircraft. The Emirati pilots were trained in Italy and the UAE under the supervision of the Frecce Tricolori pilots using Italian aircraft and training systems.

High Performance

The M-346 was selected by a prominent Middle East country and ordered by Italy, Singapore, Poland, and by an undisclosed customer in its FA variant. While the new M-345 already ordered by the Italian Air Force, will be the new aircraft of the Italian Aerobatic Team. It has costs comparable to those of a high-power turboprop aircraft but with higher performance level.

The fighter attack version of the M-346 is currently being developed to meet the growing and diversified operational requirements of several air forces. The M-346FA will keep all the characteristics of the advanced trainer version, but will also be a light fighter aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of operational missions at far lower costs than those of front-line fighters.

Leonardo’s integrated training system, based on the M-346 jet, designated the T-346A by the Italian Air Force, is the backbone of the 61° Wing, which trains pilots and instructors from Italy and nations such as Kuwait, U.S., Spain, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Argentina, Greece.

International Benchmark

Leonardo and the Italian Air Force launched the “International Flight Training School” initiative to provide expertise and advanced technology in order to serve military pilot trainees.

The Italian Air Force’s world-renowned excellence in flight training and Leonardo’s leadership in delivering proven integrated training solutions, have come together to create the International Training Flight School (IFTS). The school is set to become an international benchmark for advanced pilot training, starting with Phase IV (Advanced/Lead-In Fighter Training).

The Italian Air Force (ItAF) brings to the new IFTS its longstanding expertise, while Leonardo brings its proven M-346 advanced jet trainer and GBTS. IFTS offers customised teaching modules, based on the ItAF proven syllabus, able to meet the actual requirement of the most demanding incoming Air Forces to best suit the student pilot to the desired exit level, further increasing the download of expensive flight hours from Operation Conversion Unit (OCU), saving time and valuable resources.

Thanks to the Italian Air Force’s excellence in the sector of military pilots training and to the support of the industrial partner Leonardo, which is providing the related new platforms, equipment and services, the International Flight Training School is in a position to consolidate the internationalisation process started through the strengthening of its capabilities in terms of assets and services offered.

With the arrival of four additional M-346 aircraft to the Italian Air Force Base of Lecce-Galatina (Lecce), starting from 2021 the whole advanced and pre-operational phase of the Italian Air Force’s training syllabus will be concentrated into a dedicated structure in Decimomannu, Sardinia.

Front-line of Fighter Tech

Leonardo is one of the partners of Eurofighter consortium and the EF has been chosen by Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Region. In April 2016 Leonardo signed a contract for the supply of 28 aircraft, including logistics, operational support and the training of flight crews and ground personnel.

Kuwait's 28 Eurofighter Typhoons will be one of the most advanced of the type produced so far. This multi-role fighter aircraft will have a package of capabilities on top of the previous Typhoon's enhancement programmes, such as the Captor-E (E-scan) radar and several novelties in the weapon system that will bring the Kuwait Air Force to the front-line of fighter technology.

The capability packages granted to Kuwait will include the integration of Storm Shadow and Brimstone, and other air-to-surface weapons that enrich the multirole characteristics of the aircraft and enhance the weapon system. Moreover, this configuration foresees the integration of a new advanced laser designator pod, the introduction of a combat training pod, an enhanced navigation aid, and the above mentioned new Captor-E radar, with its advanced antenna repositioner. Major components of the EF Kuwait fleet are under production in the partner companies facilities.

The final assembly of the first five aircraft is underway at Leonardo’s Aircraft Division Turin-Caselle plant where all the fleet will be assembled and delivered to the customer. Deliveries of the aircraft will start in 2020 and will be completed in 2023 making Kuwait the aircraft's eighth customer.

Reference / Photo:www.leonardocompany.com

Comments () Views (1759 ) Print

Send To Friend