The Aermacchi M-346 is a military trainer aircraft currently under development. It is based on work done by Aermacchi while working on the Yak-130 as a joint venture with Yakovlev.

Development

In 1993, Aermacchi signed an agreement to partner with Yakovlev on the new trainer the firm was developing for the Russian Air Force. The resulting aircraft first flew in 1996 and was brought to Italy the following year. At the time, the aircraft was marketed as the Yak/AEM-130, however, by 2000, differences in priorities between the two firms brought about an end to the partnership, with each developing the aircraft independently, with Aermacchi retaining worldwide marketing rights except for Russia and the CIS.

The M-346 is a simplified version of the aircraft the joint venture was producing, and uses equipment exclusively from Western manufacturers. The first prototype rolled out on June 7 2003 and flew for the first time on July 15 2004. It is expected that deliveries could begin by 2008. Two further prototypes are currently being constructed, the second of which is to be a pre-production example of the type.

Specifications (M-346)

General characteristics

• Crew: two, student and instructor
• Length: 11.49 m (37 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 9.72 m (31 ft 11 in)
• Height: 4.76 m (15 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 23.5 m² (253 ft²)
• Empty: 4,625 kg (10,175 lb)
• Loaded: 6,700 kg (14,740 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 9,500 kg (20,900 lb)
• Powerplant: 2x ITEC F124 -GA-200, 27.8 kN (6,250 lb) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 983 km/h (614 mph)
• Range: 1,890 km (1,181 miles)
• Service ceiling: 13,715 m (45,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 6,098 m/min (20,000 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 285 kg/m² (58.3 lb/ft²)
• Thrust-to-weight: 1:1.2

Armament

• nine hardpoints for a variety of guns, bombs, rockets, and missiles

Related content

Related development: Yakovlev Yak-130

Comparable aircraft: EADS Mako

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