Italy: Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company controlled by Alenia Aeronautica, unveiled today the first two M-346 advanced trainers from the first batch of six aircraft for the Italian Air Force.
The roll-out took place at the Alenia Aermacchi factory at Venegono Superiore and was attended by company executives and representatives of the Armed Forces and local government.
Within a few months the first two T-346As – as the M-346 is designated by the Italian Air Force – will be delivered to the Experimental Flying Unit at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base, near Rome, where they will undergo operational evaluation testing.
During 2011 the Italian Air Force will receive the other four aircraft, becoming the world’s first air force equipped with a new advanced training line based on the M-346, the most modern trainer available today on the market to train military pilots destined to fly the latest 4th and 5th generation fighters.
Today marks the beginning of a new phase for the M-346. The new highly-automated production line is already working on the other four Italian Air Force aircraft and has launched production of the 12 trainers ordered by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Alenia Aermacchi’s commercial activities are particularly active in Europe and in the rest of the world. The air forces of various countries have expressed great interest in this new aircraft, which is capable of meeting the specific requirements of different operators.
Background Information
In a related statement, Alenia North America adds that “The first two M-346 for the Italian Air Force were rolled out today. Building upon proven technology, systems, and international success of the M-346, the T-100 (Re-branded for the USAF T-X Program) will incorporate state of the art U.S. industry technology to provide the U.S. Air Force with the capability it needs today to meet the training requirements of tomorrow.”
