Leonardo press release
The M-346 is a tandem-seat, latest generation Undergraduate Advance Jet Trainer, central element of an Integrated Training System designed to enable Student Naval Aviators to develop the knowledge, skills and practices required for maximum exploitation of modern combat carrier-based aircraft.
The twin-engine solution and the reduncy of all the main systems of the aircraft, in addition to the state-of-the-art carefree handling and the Pilot Activated Recovery System (PARS), make the M-346 a best-in-class platform able to guarantee the hghest level of safety to the Student, especially when operating at sea, away from land bases.
The proven M-346 is designed for a wide range of training missions, long-term reliability and cost effective operations. Theses characteristics – along with its Ground Based Training System (GBTS) comprised of simulators, didactic devices, mission planning and training management tools and operational Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) environment with a carrier-based scenario – make the M-346 the best solution to train the new generation of U.S. Navy fighter pilots.
The state-of-the-art Human-Machine interface and the advanced M-346’s Embedded Training System – able to generate tactical scenarios with sensors, threats and targets such as Computer Generated Forces (friend or foe), on-board simulated equipment such as Radar, Electro-Optical/Infra-Red, Radar Warning Receiver, Electronic Support Measure and Electronic Attack, air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon employment – make this jet trainer truly representative of the latest generation combat aircraft of the Navy.
The M-346 superior flying qualities, performance and characteristics contribute to maximize teaching effectiveness and to allow flight hours to be downloaded from Fleet Replacement Squadrons to the training Air Wings, during the Adavanced/Lead In Fighter Training (LIFT) phase. In addition, the M-346 performance, flight characteristics, on-board systems, five harpoints (three wet; wide external stores capabilities for training weapons, jamming pods, IRST and other equipment), the possibility to install a capablefire control radar, offer significant capabilities also as a Tactical Surrogate and Adversary/Red Air asset.
Operators benefit from a two-level maintenance concept (Organisational and Intermediate) for aircraft, equipment and systems. Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and Structural Health (S-HUMS) enable monitoring and data … of on-board equipment and airframe structure contributing to a low life-cycle cost.
Key attributes:
- Service life in accordance with U.S. Navy requirements
- Carefree handling capabilities in the whole flight envelope
- Programmable engine and flight controls with Precision Landing Mode capabilities for easier carrier approaches
- Embedded Training System for air-to-air and air-to-ground training
- Two State-of-the-art Large Area Displays (LAD)
- Two independent Helmet Mounted Displays
- NVG fully compatible cockpit
- Comfortable envireonment and wide Field of View from both cockpit
- Air-to-air refueling (AAR) capability
- No scheduled depot-leel structural maintenance
Characteristics:
Wing Span: 9.72m (31.9 ft)
Length: 11.49 (37.7 ft)
Weights: Take off (clean) 7,6 tons ; Ramp (Maximum) 9,6 tons
Powerplant: 2 Honeywell F124-GA-200
Thrust: 2 x 2,850 kg – 2 x 6,280 lb
Max level speed: 1,090 Km/h
Limit speed: 2,060 Km/h
Service ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,715m)
Rate of climb: 22,000 ft/min (6,075 m/min)
Sustained Load Factor, SL: 8,0 g
Sustained Turn Rate (15,000 ft): 12,5 deg/s
Ferry Range (10% reserve): 1,040 nm (1,925 Km)
The aircraft is in service with the Air Forces of Italy, Republic of Singapore, Israel and Poland with 80 aircraft already ordered.
-End-
Naval News comments:
In May 2020, the U.S. Navy launched its Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program, for the replacement of the T-45C Goshawk that are currently used by the U.S. and French naval student pilots.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued a request for information (RFI) on May 14, 2020 for a non-developmental, existing twin-seat land-based jet trainer capable of field carrier landing practice and nuclear aircraft carrier touch-and-go landings, which could be acquired by 2028.
It seems that Leonardo is one of the competitors who answered the request. No other company has yet unveiled its aircraft for this program.
