Aermacchi M-346 Master

Summary

Description

The M-346 Master began as a collaborative effort between Aermacchi and Yakovlev in 1992, aimed at developing a new trainer for the Russian Air Force, designated the Yak/AEM-130, to replace the aging MB-339. Aermacchi secured rights to modify and market the aircraft to the Western market, with the first flight occurring in 1996. By the year 2000, due to diverging priorities and financial constraints, the partnership dissolved, leading Aermacchi to independently develop the M-346 Master, incorporating exclusively Western-sourced equipment, including a digital flight control system and Honeywell F124 turbofan engines replacing the initially planned Lotarev DV-2S powerplant. The first M-346 prototype rolled out on 7 June 2003, commencing ground testing, and achieved its maiden flight on 15 July 2004.

The M-346 is primarily designed as a lead-in fighter trainer, optimized to prepare pilots for the latest generation of combat aircraft. Its performance is enhanced by a pair of Honeywell F124 dry turbofan engines that enable transonic flight without an afterburner. Adhering to "design-to-cost" and "design-to-maintain" principles, the M-346 aims to reduce acquisition and operational expenses. It features a full-authority quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system, granting maneuverability and controllability even at high angles of attack exceeding 30 degrees, coupled with adjustable angle of attack and g-force limitations. The M-346 is equipped with a digital avionics system mirroring those found in advanced military aircraft; its glass cockpit includes color LCD multifunctional displays, a head-up display, and an optional Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD). Key to its training capabilities is the Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS), which emulates various equipment, like radar, targeting pods, weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

The M-346 can be equipped with a total of seven hardpoints: one under the fuselage, four under the wings, and two at the wingtips. These stations can accommodate a maximum external payload of 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). It can carry up to three 630-liter (140 imp gal; 170 US gal) external drop tanks. Available munitions include the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile, as well as Marte MK-2A anti-ship missiles, Mark 82 500lb and Mark-83 1,000lb free-fall or retarded bombs, FN Herstal HMP250 12.7mm machine gun and Nexter 20mm M621 cannon gun pods. In the multirole Fighter Attack variant (M-346FA), the aircraft is outfitted with a multi-mode fire-control radar.

The M-346 has seen operational service with several air forces around the world, primarily in the advanced jet training role. The Italian Air Force, one of the initial customers, has integrated the T-346A into its training programs, culminating in a total of 18 aircraft by February 2018. Four more M-346s were delivered to the Italian Air Force/Leonardo International Flight Training School (IFTS). The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was the first export customer, using the M-346 at Cazaux Air Base in France. The Israeli Air Force also operates the M-346, designated as the "Lavi," as its primary training jet. The Polish Air Force employs the M-346 "Bielik" at the 41st Training Air Base in Dęblin. The Qatar Emiri Air Force utilizes the M-346 as part of an agreement with Leonardo and the Italian Air Force for pilot training at the International Flight Training School. An incident occurred in July 2024 involving a Polish Air Force M-346, resulting in the pilot's death.

Main Variants:

• M-346: The basic type designation, serving as the foundation for subsequent variants.

• T-346A: The Italian military designation from 2012 for the M-346, indicating its adoption and use by the Italian Air Force.

• M-346FT (Fighter Trainer): A versatile multirole variant designed to transition between training and combat operations, featuring an updated tactical datalink and enhanced armament capabilities without physical hardware changes.

• M-346FA (Fighter Attack): A multirole variant capable of air-to-air and air-to-surface combat with a 3-tonne payload across seven hardpoints and advanced Grifo-M346 radar, marketed as a light attack aircraft.

• T-100: The designation applied to the M-346 when it was offered for the United States Air Force's T-X program.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Israel	30
	Italy	22
	Poland	16
	Singapore	12
	Qatar	6
	Turkmenistan	6
	Greece	0 (+10)

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Greece • Israel • Italy • Poland • Qatar • Singapore • Turkmenistan

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Surface AGM-65 Maverick
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder

Bombs payload:

• Low-Drag Mk 82
• Low-Drag Mk 83