STEWART PENNEY / VENEGONO
First flight planned for later this year with three-prototype certification programme due to conclude in 2007
Aermacchi unveiled the first prototype of its Honeywell F124-powered M346 advanced trainer on 7 June at its Venegono factory in northern Italy. Meanwhile, the company says it has considered the Rolls-Royce Adour as an alternate engine for the twinjet.
The aircraft, the first of three prototypes, entered ground tests following the roll-out in preparation for the first flight planned for November this year. Two more prototypes are due to be built, one joining the programme next year and the last entering flight test in 2005. Structural test airframes are also planned.
Eligio Trombetta, vice-programme director and manager system engineering M346, says the aircraft will initially undergo post-installation electrical tests. These will be followed by systems trials to prove airworthiness and, finally, by taxi tests before its first flight.
The M346 is based on the Yakovlev/Aermacchi YA-130 demonstrator, but has a reduced span and length and 1m2 (11ft2) less wing area. Thrust-to-weight ratio is doubled thanks in part to a 1,000kg (2,200lb) lower weight; aerodynamics are revised and the structure is to Western standards. Certification is planned for 2007.
Aermacchi says it has considered alternatives to the F124 engines. These include the Adour, although the company adds that the F124 is more cost effective.
A key potential deal for the M346 is the UK's Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme, and an Aermacchi source says an Adour-powered M346 could be offered as part of a bid. The source adds that the UK has flown the Aermacchi MB339CD to evaluate the man-machine interface and embedded simulation system, which are the basis for the systems in the M346.
Aermacchi adds that the UK completed a flight evaluation in November last year of the S211 jet-powered basic trainer as part of its MFTS considerations. Although basic training is not a core part of the initial MFTS requirement, the Ministry of Defence is considering aircraft options as these could affect the selection of an advanced trainer, says a company source.
An MFTS advanced trainer competition is dependent on a UK government decision due at the end of this month on whether to lease BAE Systems Hawk 128s.
Source: Flight International
