The
structural design already includes nine hard-points, and
also has provisions to install and integrate special equipment.
The speed, ability to climb quickly and extreme manoeuvrability
make the M-346 a highly survivable aircraft in comparison
to traditional turboprop light attack aircraft.
The low maintenance man-hours per flying hour and the efficiencies
offered by a trainer-based design make the M-346 a very
cost effective option.
The
Italian Air Force signed in November 2009 the contract about
the first batch of the M-346 trainers and related flight
simulators, to fulfil the advanced/lead-in fighter training
requirements for pilots that will fly 4th and 5th generation
combat aircraft. At the end of September 2010 Alenia Aermacchi
signed the first international contract with the Republic
of Singapore within the Fighter Wings Course (FWC) Program,
which is aimed to replace the current fleet of advanced
trainers. The consortium, comprising ST Aerospace (prime
contractor) and Boeing, awarded the supplying of 12 M-346
aircraft and the ground base training system. The delivery
of the first aircraft is expected in 2012.
In February 2009 the M-346 was also selected by the United
Arab Emirates for their new trainer requirement. The M-346
is the type which best answers the Eurotraining requirements.
Alenia
Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica Company controlled by Alenia Aeronautica,
is the world leader in the design, production and support
of military training aircraft and solutions with a century-long
tradition of innovation. Today its autonomous aircraft design
and development experience leverages the resources and technologies
of Finmeccanica, the world-class Italian technology group,
to offer complete solutions and leading-edge proprietary
types like the M-346 Lead-In Fighter Trainer.
Alenia Aermacchi is a leader, dynamic and motivated company,
with a full design and development capability in its core
training aircraft business. The product range covers the
entire spectrum from initial screening to lead-in fighter
training, and extends into total training systems.
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