Aermacchi M-346FA
Italian aerospace and defence company Leonardo introduced M-346FA (Fighter Attack) aircraft, a new variant of the Aermacchi M-346 twin-engine advanced trainer aircraft, in June. The new variant is designed to provide enhanced mission performance to the air forces on the battlefield.
The M-346FA combat aircraft can be deployed in ground support roles, including air-to-ground attack, tactical, close air support (CAS), counter-insurgency (COIN), and interdiction with precision guided munitions. It is also suited for pilot training, air-to-air combat, air policing, airborne tactical reconnaissance, and airspace control missions.
The two existing variants of the M-346 family include the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) and multi-role M-346FT (Fighter Trainer).
The M-346FA fighter attack aircraft features a digital glass cockpit accommodating two crew members in tandem configuration.
The cockpit incorporates LCD multi-function displays, head-up display, night vision goggle (NVG) device, voice command system, self-protection system, helmet-mounted display (HMD) systems, navigation and communications, and traffic collision avoidance system.
The onboard four-channel fly-by-wire flight control system offers increased mission reliability and flight safety.
With a maximum take-off weight of 10,400kg, the combat aircraft can carry various external loads such as GPS-guided / laser / unguided air-to-air and air-surface weapons, bombs, and targeting pods to attack air and surface-based targets.
A total of seven pylon stations are provided that are capable of mounting weaponry, including Iris-T and AIM-9L air-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, small diameter bomb (SDB), 500lb GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions (JDAM), 1,000lb GBU-32 JDAM, 500lb Lizard 2 laser-guided bomb (LGB), 500lb Lizard 4 GPS/LGB, GBU-12/16 (500lb/1,000lb) Paveway II LGB, 500lb GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB, 500lb MK.82HD Snakeye and 1,000lb MK.83 general-purpose bombs.
A gun pod can be fitted to house aircraft ammunition. Additionally, the aircraft carries target designation and tactical reconnaissance pods on the external hardpoints to detect and locate the targets in both day and night-time conditions.
Aermacchi M-346FA
Italian aerospace and defence company Leonardo introduced M-346FA (Fighter Attack) aircraft, a new variant of the Aermacchi M-346 twin-engine advanced trainer aircraft, in June. The new variant is designed to provide enhanced mission performance to the air forces on the battlefield.
The M-346FA combat aircraft can be deployed in ground support roles, including air-to-ground attack, tactical, close air support (CAS), counter-insurgency (COIN), and interdiction with precision guided munitions. It is also suited for pilot training, air-to-air combat, air policing, airborne tactical reconnaissance, and airspace control missions.
The two existing variants of the M-346 family include the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) and multi-role M-346FT (Fighter Trainer).
The M-346FA fighter attack aircraft features a digital glass cockpit accommodating two crew members in tandem configuration.
The cockpit incorporates LCD multi-function displays, head-up display, night vision goggle (NVG) device, voice command system, self-protection system, helmet-mounted display (HMD) systems, navigation and communications, and traffic collision avoidance system.
The onboard four-channel fly-by-wire flight control system offers increased mission reliability and flight safety.
With a maximum take-off weight of 10,400kg, the combat aircraft can carry various external loads such as GPS-guided / laser / unguided air-to-air and air-surface weapons, bombs, and targeting pods to attack air and surface-based targets.
A total of seven pylon stations are provided that are capable of mounting weaponry, including Iris-T and AIM-9L air-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, small diameter bomb (SDB), 500lb GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions (JDAM), 1,000lb GBU-32 JDAM, 500lb Lizard 2 laser-guided bomb (LGB), 500lb Lizard 4 GPS/LGB, GBU-12/16 (500lb/1,000lb) Paveway II LGB, 500lb GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB, 500lb MK.82HD Snakeye and 1,000lb MK.83 general-purpose bombs.
A gun pod can be fitted to house aircraft ammunition. Additionally, the aircraft carries target designation and tactical reconnaissance pods on the external hardpoints to detect and locate the targets in both day and night-time conditions.