MB-339
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MB-339 advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft
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The MB-339 is an advanced trainer jet and light attack aircraft designed and manufactured by the Italian Company Alenia Aermacchi a Finmeccanica Company. The first flight took place on 12 August 1976 and deliveries to the Italian Air Force commenced in 1979. Still in production in 2004 in an enhanced version with a much-modernised cockpit. Over 200 MB-339s have been built, with roughly half of them going to the Italian Air Force. Immediately associated with the Italian Air Force’s celebrated “Frecce Tricolori” aerobatic team, the elegant Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 is an up to date Advanced/Lead-In Fighter Trainer and Light Attack aircraft. The MB-339 fleet has accumulated over 600,000 flying hours in a wide variety of environments with nine different countries, including several repeat customers. The training capabilities of the aircraft enables the use from the basic up to the advanced syllabus phases. The Alenia Aermacchi training system also includes sophisticated simulators and effective mission planning and debriefing tools. Alenia Aermacchi also offers comprehensive upgrade packages allowing customers to expand existing fleets in a cost-effective way, refurbishing, upgrading or retrofitting them with selected features. The United Arab Emirates recently exploited this capability to create its new Al Fursan aerobatic team, acquiring additional aircraft and bringing its fleet to NAT (National Aerobatic Team) standard, implementing a configuration similar to the Italian “Frecce Tricolori”. |
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- MB-339A: Original production variant for Italy. 107 were delivered in three batches 1979–1995 (including MB-339PANs and MB-339RMs.[14] In addition, four delivered to Ghana and five to Dubai.
- MB-339K Veltro II: Single-seat dedicated attack version, first flew 30 May 1980 - MB-339B: Trainer with more powerful (4,400 lbf (19.57 kN)) Viper 680-43 engine. - MB-339C: Revised trainer version with new, digital avionics. - MB-339 T-Bird II: Version for U.S. JPATS competition, with 4,000 lbf Viper 680-582 |
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The MB-339 design is of conventional configuration and all-metal construction, and shares much of the 326's airframe. It has a low, un-swept wing with tip tanks and jet intakes in the roots, tricycle undercarriage, and accommodation for the student and instructor in tandem. The most significant revision was a redesign of the forward fuselage to raise the instructor's seat to allow visibility over and past the student pilot's head.
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The latest variant of MB-339 is a full digital trainer equipped with a new avionics suite connected by a MIL-STD-1553B dual redundant data bus and retains the Viper 680 engine of the MB-339C. Full control and display duplication in the rear cockpit provides effective system operator training. The MB-339CD is equipped with an electronic warfare suite including an Elettronica ELT-156 radar warning receiver, BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions (formerly Tracor) AN/ALE-40 chaff and flares dispensing system and Elettronica ELT-555 active electronic countermeasures (ECM) deception pod. The avionics suite is connected by a MIL-STD-1553B dual-redundant data bus. The main avionics systems are: mission processor; inertial reference system with Honeywell H-764 laser gyro platform and embedded global positioning system (GPS); radio navigation systems; air data computer; Kaiser / VDO HUDs and Sextant Avionique multifunction displays; radar altimeter; laser rangefinder; data recording and transfer system. Mission equipment can include third-generation night-vision goggle compatibility, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) targeting pod, ACMI training system, embedded training and multiple video recording.
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The MB-339 is powered by the 4,400lb thrust Rolls-Royce Viper 680 engine. The MB.339K is an uprated version powered by the Viper Mk.680 turbojet, developing 19.57kN (4,400lb). The MB.339B is also powered by this engine, being similar to the trainer but with improved ground-attack capability. The MB-339 can fly at a maximum speed of 898 km/hr with a maximum range of 1,760 km.
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The MB-339 has the capability to carry a wide variety of US and Nato standard external stores under six wing hardpoints. The armament can include a DEFA 30mm gun (125 rounds in each pod); anti-runway bombs; BAP-100 or BAT-120 tactical support bombs; rocket launchers for 50mm, 68mm, 81mm and 2.75in rockets; LAU-10a for US 127mm rockets or TB-100-4 launchers for French 100mm rockets; up to two Raytheon Maverick air-to-ground missiles; Matra BAe Dynamics Magic or AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; and Alenia MK-2A Marte air-to
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