Italian Eurofighter pilots will train with M-346 aircraft, which will also cover the role of "aggressor" aircraft. This is what emerges from Paris from the Italian defense industries, in view of the imminent start of the Air Show.
The M-346 trainer was designed to replace the more expensive Eurofighter in the training and conversion phase. The training aircraft, known as the T-346A for the Italian Air Force, is temporarily redeployed with the Eurofighter Operational Conversion Unit of the 4 ° Stormo in Grosseto.
All M-346 trainers come from 61 ° Stormo, headquartered in Galatina, Military Air Force.
The T-346 is able to simulate several aircraft in the so-called combat training called 'Dissimilar Air Combat Training'.
Thanks to the Helmet Mounted Display System, Voice Commands, Air Supply Probe and the ability to carry up to 3.000 pounds of external loads, the M-346 can also carry a full tactical training. The ability to mount electronic warfare and data exchange systems, to mount radar scoring reduction kits or to install a multi-mode radar, makes it usable with excellent levels of survival and effectiveness even in real-world operations.
The Embedded Tactical Training Simulation (ETTS) allows the M-346 to emulate sensors, countermeasures and armaments, but also to interact in real time with a virtual tactical scenario, with the advantage of greater flexibility and lower costs.
With the M-346 Alenia Aermacchi offers an integrated training system, already chosen by the Italian Air Force, which includes a complete Ground Based Training System (GBTS), with theoretical part, simulators, mission support system and computerized training management system. A dedicated Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) was also developed to ensure a high level of aircraft availability and mission-generating capacity.
Four T-346 have already been delivered to Lecce's Military Air Force Training School. After training the instructors, the first Italian Air Force students will begin training on the T-346 by August.
Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica unit, has already delivered 12 aircraft to Israel, 12 in Singapore and started production of aircraft ordered by Poland.
Franco Iacch
Click here to see the arrival of the first T-346 in Grosseto
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