Alenia Aermacchi Training Aircraft M-346

The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 is the most advanced trainer aircraft available on the market today and the only one specifically designed to prepare pilots for high performance new generation aircraft. The M-346 entered service in 2013 with both the Italian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force. It has been ordered by Israel, which will receive the first M-346 in 2014, and Poland, under a contract signed in February 2014. The type has also been selected by the UAE. A team comprising General Dynamics and Alenia Aermacchi will offer the T-100 variant for the United States Air Force T-X requirement, which aims to replace the obsolete Northrop T-38 fleet. Every aspect of the M-346 design is technically innovative. Coupled with the unparalleled Alenia Aermacchi experience in training systems, this translates into a leading edge aircraft with exuberant performance and state of the art equipment. The vast flight envelope, high thrust/weight ratio and extreme maneuverability allow the M-346 to offer handling similar to those of next generation combat aircraft, including Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35. This maximizes training effectiveness and reduces the need to fly sorties on the far more expensive two-seat variants of frontline types. The Embedded Tactical Training Simulation (ETTS) allows the M-346 to emulate sensors, countermeasures and armament, as well as to interact in real time with a virtual tactical scenario, further enhancing flexibility and cost reduction. Thanks to Helmet Mounted Display, vocal control inputs, in-flight refueling probe and pylons for up to 3,000 kilos of external loads, the M-346 can carry out a complete tactical training syllabus. Optional electronic warfare and data link systems, radar signature reduction kits or multi-mode radar allow the M-346 to employed in real operations, with excellent levels of effectiveness and survival. Together with the M-346 Alenia Aermacchi offers the integrated training system already adopted by the Italian Air Force. The ITS includes a complete Ground Based Training System (GBTS), comprising academics, simulators, mission support system and computer-based training management system. In order to maximize aircraft availability and mission generation, Alenia Aermacchi has developed and offers a dedicated Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) package.