Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master
- Trainer aircraft
- Light ground-attack aircraft
The Alenia Aermacchi M- 346 Master is an Italian jet trainer based on the Yakovlev Yak - 130.
History
In the years 1993 to 2000 Aermacchi led together with the Russian company Yakovlev as a partner by the Jak/AEM-130-Programm. In 2000, this partnership was terminated as both companies had different ideas about the future of the program. Based on the Jak/AEM-130 the simplified M -346, which is specifically designed for the Western market was at Aermacchi. Russian components no longer come for installation.
The first prototype had its rollout on June 7, 2003 and first flew on 15 July 2004. A second prototype was exhibited at the Paris Air Show 2005.
The M -346 uses the latest technologies, including a fly- by-wire control system, the angle of attack of up to 40 ° possible. The two turbofans, type Honeywell / Avio F124 give the M- 346, a thrust -to-weight ratio of up to 1:1.
The first pre-production model LRIP00 had its rollout in early 2008 and flew on 7 July 2008 for the first time. This pre-production model contains numerous improvements over the prototype. Thus, the proportion of composite materials and titanium was increased and the wing spars and fuselage frames optimized to make the unladen mass was reduced by 700 kg. Furthermore, a newly developed chassis and a 90 cm moved forward spoiler come on the fuselage used. On 18 December 2008 the prototype CM X615 reached Mach 1.15 for the first time at supersonic speed.
Production
Currently, an order for the purchase of six aircraft for the Italian Air Force in the value of 220 million euros and a letter of intent for a total of 15 machines is available. The rollout of the first two aircraft on 21 December 2010, the first flight on March 21, 2011 in Venegono with Test Pilot Quirino Bucci at the wheel. Mid-2011 was a Type Certificate by the Italian Ministry of Defence. The first machine, which is called T- 346A in the Italian Air Force was delivered on November 14, 2011. The first six copies will be used in the 61 ° Stormo at Lecce.
On 18 November 2011, the first prototype in the United Arab Emirates crashed on the return flight from Dubai Air Show from the home base. The pilots managed to escape with the ejection seat.
Export
2011 started the construction of 12 machines for Singapore. Israel announced on 16 February 2012 to purchase 30 machines of the type M- 346 Master known; they are from 2014 to replace the obsolete Douglas A -4 training aircraft of the Israeli Air Force. From a number of other air forces, the M -346 is currently being tested.