Story ID: 
Leonardo’s M346 Gets Some Teeth
By: Chris Pocock
Caption: A fighter attack version is being offered that retains the type’s previous capabilities.
Word Count: 294
Leonardo has launched another version of the M-346, this one optimized for the fighter attack mission. The company said that the M-346FA will retain the type’s current capabilities as an advanced jet trainer, lead-in fighter trainer and "aggressor" aircraft. Leonardo also said that “several” air forces have expressed interest in the latest version.

The M-346FA will be fitted with the company’s own Grifo multimode fire control radar. Leonardo said that it has explored this sensor’s integration with the airframe. The Grifo-346 will be able to track up to 10 targets simultaneously in track-while-scan (TWS) mode, and will have a maximum range beyond 50 nautical miles in the Look-Up mode and a sub-metric resolution in the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode. The radar will feature seven air-to-air modes, six air combat modes, 13 air-to-ground modes (including SAR, Inverse SAR, ground moving target indicator and maritime target track); and three navigation modes.

The aircraft will also be equipped with a defensive aids sub-system (DASS), including a radar warning receiver (RWR) and chaff/flare dispensing system plus a missile approach warner providing 360-degree coverage. An active electronic counter measures jammer pod and a radar cross section reduction kit will also be available as options to interested customers.

The M-346FA will have seven pylons for air-to-air or air-to-surface weapons, and tactical reconnaissance and targeting pods. The company showed some potential fits alongside an aircraft labeled as an M-346FA at last week’s Paris Air Show. The options include AIM-9L/X or Iris-T AAMs; GBU-12/49 Paveway laser-guided bombs; GBU-38 GPS-guided JDAM bombs; the MBDA Brimstone; and the MBDA Marte anti-ship missile.

 Leonardo said that Rafael’s Reccelite pod has been integrated on the M-346.