Story ID: 398 Leonardo M-346FT
Aeromacchi M-346FT Debuts at Farnborough 2016
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Leonardo-Finmeccanica unveils weaponized, fighter-trainer version of its advanced training platform
Word Count: 175
Italy’s Leonardo-Finmeccanica unveiled here at Farnborough its new Aeromacchi M-346FT, a multi-role version of its M-346 jet trainer. The FT (Fighter Trainer) variant integrates a range of systems and sensors for tactical support and air defense, a tactical datalink, self-defense system, recognition and targeting sensors, and can carry a variety of weapons, including rockets, bombs, laser-guided munitions, air-to-air missiles and gun systems. Like its trainer predecessor, the twin-engine FT incorporates fly-by-wire flight controls.

“Today we are ready to offer our customers an aircraft capable of combining the operational and training requirements of the Air Forces all over the world, assuring top performances and remarkably lower costs,” said Mauro Moretti, Leonardo’s CEO and general manager.

The transonic M-346 trainer is the world’s only high-performance, purpose-built training platform for the latest generation military aircraft, according to Leonardo. Since the trainer’s introduction, 68 units have been ordered by the air forces of Italy (18), Singapore (12), Israel (30) and Poland (8), and it has also been selected by the United Arab Emirates.