The Italian Parliament has approved upgrades for the air force's Aermacchi MB339 advanced trainers, Alenia/Aermacchi/Embraer AMX fighter-bombers and Boeing 707 tankers.
A mid-life update of the MB339 fleet will start by year-end and will last for five years. The L110 billion ($62 million) update will allow the Italian air force to keep its 90-plus MB339As in service for at least another decade. Much of the work will be an overhaul of the airframes, but some cockpit avionics will be improved. Italy also operates 14 MB339CDs with digital avionics. Aermacchi continues to push for the sale of a further batch of MB339CDs to the air force with the help of industry ministry funding (Flight International, 28 July-3 August).
AMX upgrades will start this year, with the Italian air force aiming to complete the L70 billion modification of 76 aircraft within four years. Initially, the programme will bring all AMXs up to a common standard equivalent to the newest aircraft in service. The aircraft are likely to receive further improvements, at a later stage, creating a "batch three plus" standard.
The Italian air force's four 707 tanker-transports will receive a "universal" refuelling system to allow support of all aircraft in the fleet, including leased Panavia Tornado F3s and the Eurofighter when it enters service. The programme also introduces new communications systems, minor equipment changes and an increase in the spares holding to improve aircraft availability.
The Italian air force is also preparing to launch a mid-life update for its Panavia Tornado IDS strike and ECR electronic reconnaissance aircraft. The programme will extend the Tornado's useful life to 2020-25 and introduce new capabilities to both types. This will probably be carried out in stages as the aircraft pass through depot-level maintenance in an attempt to reduce the impact of the update programme on the number of available aircraft.
Source: Flight International
