Alenia Aermacchi rolls out the first pre-series M-346
Alenia Aermacchi has rolled out the first low-rate initial production M-346 advanced/lead-in fighter trainer on Apr. 10.
Alenia Aermacchi rolls out the first pre-series M-346
Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, unveiled today the first M-346 new generation advanced trainer in the baseline industrial configuration.
The aircraft was rolled out from the Alenia Aermacchi factory at Venegono Superiore, in the presence of top-level military and industrial leaders.
The first pre-series M-346 simultaneously bears witness to and reinforces the great maturity of the program which - thanks to the intensive development work performed on the two prototypes - has allowed the design to be optimised and industrialized.
The design effort for the baseline industrial configuration aircraft has concentrated on structural optimisation, with additional benefits in terms of improved maintenance. The goal has been achieved by rationalizing the distribution of wing spars and fuselage frames, together with a more widespread use of composite and titanium parts. Together with the integration of the new main landing gear and the standardization of general mission systems, this has brought about a considerable reduction in the empty weight, in the order of about 700 kilos.
The Flight Control System, which includes the computers provided by Alenia SIA and SELEX Communications, have also been enhanced with software control laws developed in-house by Alenia Aermacchi.
These new results have been reached by applying data collected during the intensive flight test campaigns in which both prototypes have been engaged, with additional valuable input from the many international Air Forces that have evaluated and assessed the M-346.
Today opens a new season for the M-346 that, by reaching this milestone, now looks forward to a rapid industrialization program leading to service entry within the planned timescale.
The roll-out ceremony was attended by the Chief of Italy’s Defence Staff, General Vincenzo Camporini, and by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, General Giuseppe Bernardis. This confirms the ever more productive cooperation between Alenia Aermacchi and the Italian Air Force, which has been a feature of M-346 development.
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