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2019-07-07

Italian Air Force Selects Leonardo’s M-345

The Armaments and Airworthiness Department of the Italian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Leonardo for the supply of 13 M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) aircraft, for a total value of 300 million Euros. This follows an initial contract for five aircraft bringing to 18 the number of M-345 trainers ordered by Italy. The contract includes ground-based training systems and a five-year logistics support package.

Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo, said: "This contract for the M-345 is the result of the constructive dialogue between industry and the Italian Ministry of Defence, leading to a thorough understanding of their needs and to jointly identify the best technological solution. In line with our Industrial Plan, we are devoting significant effort to the development of our training business, both in terms of platforms, ground capabilities and services.”

Lucio Valerio Cioffi, Managing Director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, said: “With its high performance and advanced integrated training system, the M-345 will significantly improve the effectiveness of the Air Force’s training, improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. The new aircraft, the first of which is expected to be delivered in 2020, will join the Air Force’s fleet of 18 twin-engine Aermacchi M-346s based at the Italian Air Force’s Galatina base near Lecce in the Southern Italy, which have already been delivered to provide the advanced phase of pilot training.”

Platform of Choice

The Italian Air Force has identified a requirement for around 45 M-345 aircraft (designated the T-345A) to progressively replace its fleet of 137 MB-339s, that have been in service since 1982, and to become the new platform of Italy’s National Aerobatic Team (Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (PAN).

The M-345 has already raised the interest of many air forces worldwide. The first production aircraft successfully performed its maiden flight on December 21, 2018, delivering excellent performance.

Latest M-345 HET

The Aermacchi M-345, developed exploiting the consolidated experience gained by Aircraft Division in designing and manufacturing its wide family of trainer aircraft in the past 60 years, delivers the superior performance and training effectiveness typical of a jet aircraft at costs comparable to high-powered turboprop trainers. Aimed at the basic-advanced phases of the pilot training syllabus, the M-345 offers high efficiency and low acquisition and operating costs.

The new M-345 HET reduces the time required by Air Forces to train pilots. It also gives trainees the chance to fly an aircraft that features higher performance characteristics than other basic/advanced trainer aircraft currently in service around the world. The performance of the aircraft allows it to carry out the most demanding mission types found in a training syllabus, delivering high quality training at a significantly lower cost.

The cockpit architecture is the same as the frontline fighters. It can also perform operational roles, thanks to an extended flight envelope, with high-speed manoeuvring capability, even at high altitudes; modern avionics systems, high load capacity and performance.

Life cycle cost reduction is driven by long fatigue life and low level of maintenance, the latter made possible by the Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) that eliminate the most expensive maintenance activities. Operating efficiency is ensured by single-point pressure refuelling and on-board oxygen generation (OBOGS), both of which reduce the need of ground support.

Superior Characteristics

Based on the latest M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer experience and matching the standards of the most modern combat jets, M-345’s avionics includes latest human-machine interface with HOTAS controls, Head-Up Displays (HUD), Multi-Function Displays (MFD), while the on board Embedded Tactical Training Simulation (ETTS) system allows the whole spectrum of simulated training functions in flight.

A sophisticated on-board training simulator delivers a number of benefits. For instance, M-345 pilots are able to plan manoeuvres before live training, allowing for higher efficiency during flight. Trainees are also able to fly in formation with other pilots in the air and on the ground in simulators, via a real-time data-link. The aircraft’s Mission Planning and Debriefing Station (MPDS) allows trainees to analyse the missions they have just flown.

While maintaining its superior characteristics as a jet trainer, thanks to its modern avionics, high external load capacity (more than 1,000 kg, 4 under-wing pylons) and performance, the M-345 is also suited for operational roles, with the capability to employ weapons like gun pod, rockets and 500 lb class bombs.

With the M-345, Leonardo has leveraged its experience in pilot training to create an Integrated Training System (ITS) capable of smoothly transitioning pilots fresh from basic trainers to the latest next generation fighters. The optimal balance of real aircraft and appropriate simulation reduces costs without compromising quality, allowing fewer M-345s to generate more sorties.

The M-345’s engine is a turbofan Williams FJ44-4M-34 optimised for military and aerobatics use. The cockpit is based on HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) controls and features a glass cockpit with a three-colour MFD (Multi-function Display) touch screen. A fourth screen in the rear seat mirrors the heads-up display of the aircraft.

With low operating cost and an affordable price, the M-345 is the ideal basic-advanced training solution for Air Forces around the world, providing the cost effective opportunity to train on a modern, real jet aircraft. The Italian Air Force is the launch customer for the M-345 aircraft.

Reference Text/Photo:www.leonardocompany.com

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