Alenia Aermacchi M-345

[Cy-27]

This one passed me by last year - the Alenia Aermacchi M-311 was last year re-designated the M-345.

Still a turbofan military trainer aircraft, it's a development of the earlier SIAI Marchetti S.211/Aermacchi S-211 with structural and internal equipment improvements.

 

[Stargazer]

The M-345 photographed today at Le Bourget:

 

[hesham]

From Aerei magazine,


here is a comparison between SIAI-Marchetti S.211 and Aermacchi M.345.

 

[AeroFranz]

I'm surprised, the mods look more than superficial. Alenia must believe there is a market for this.

 

[helmutkohl]

first two deliveries!
https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/...ti-all-aeronautica-militare-i-primi-due-m-345
good looking plane

 

[Maro.Kyo]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defenc...dos-m-345-trainer-into-service/163341.article
Now in service... Though I'm not sure if there's much international interest against PC-21

 

[TsrJoe]

RAF. evaluation ... https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGE3nVZZL/

 

[helmutkohl]

RAF. evaluation ... https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGE3nVZZL/

thats a really wide range of contenders.. from the M-346 to the Hurjet and Golden Eagle.
very different ends of the spectrum when it comes to capabilities, basic trainer to advance combat trainers..

 

[Maro.Kyo]

thats a really wide range of contenders.. from the M-346 to the Hurjet and Golden Eagle.
very different ends of the spectrum when it comes to capabilities, basic trainer to advance combat trainers..

I think that means they are still not decided on how they will shape their pilot training pipeline going forward once UKMFTS contract ends in 2033. Makes sense since 6th gen fighter will require different kind of training pipeline, considering how expensive it would be to fly them merely for training purposes (use USAF as the benchmark?).

If they go with M-345, they will probably follow the Italian path, with M-345 being responsible for phase 2 and 3, and will probably need to procure a separate LIFT, possibly outsourcing phase 4 to private consortium.

If they instead go with advanced prop-trainer, it will be ala other air forces around the world, phase 2 and a small part of phase 3 being served with prop-trainers, followed by advanced LIFT capable jet trainers serving the remaining lion's share of phase 3 and phase 4.