Among the highlights to put on the agenda for the upcoming Avalon Australian International Airshow, also a very extended briefing by Leonardo (Chalet n.17). During the event, the Italian high technology defence group, leader in the training of military pilots, will present its M-346 advanced jet trainer and the International Flight Training School, developed with Italian Air Force, on Tuesday 28 February 14:00 – 15:00 (Room 4 at the Conference Centre).
The M-346 by Leonardo is today a fully integrated training system developed with the adoption of the latest technologies. In service with remarkable Air Forces, the M-346 training system continuously proves its effectiveness for advanced/lead-in fighter training phases and represents an undisputed benchmark for the entire market.
The aircraft platform combines high levels of performance and maneuverability. The twin-engine solution together with a four channel Fly-By-Wire Flight Control System provides the highest safety while its Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS) suite emulates on-board sensors as well as a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons. The M-346 is outfitted with typical features of the latest generation human-machine interface such as the Helmet Mounted Display, Night Vision Goggles, and an in-flight refuelling probe.
The aircraft serves as the focal point of an Integrated Training System (ITS), which also includes a network of simulators and ground-based instructional devices and a fully operational Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) environment developed entirely by Leonardo, able to expose the student pilot to the most complex and challenging operational scenarios. The system allows student pilots to develop the knowledge, skills and practices required for effective exploitation of modern combat aircraft such as the FA-18 Super Hornet and the F-35.
With more than 100 aircraft sold, 85 in service, and 100,000 Flying Hours logged by its current, high demanding operators (Italy, Singapore, Israel, Poland, Qatar and the new International Flight Training School created by Leonardo and the Italian Air Force), the M-346 represents the best solution for the development and evolution of fighter pilots’ skills for decades to come. In Italy and Israel future F-35 pilots are trained with the M-346 Integrated Training System; Poland’s M-346 “Bielik” system has also been certified by the US Air Force for the advanced training of fourth and fifth generation fighter pilots.
Thanks to its performance, the M-346 is then a successful “aggressor” platform – the aircraft regularly acts as an “enemy” versus fighters in several NATO exercises – or a companion trainer for frontline squadrons: both additional roles can be easily fulfilled if required by the Australian Defense Force.
Leonardo’s M-346 is also the backbone of the International Flight Training School (IFTS), an internationally renowned example of Italian excellence, a benchmark for the demanding advanced training of military pilots from the world’s leading Air Forces, equipped with latest generation fighters. Leonardo and CAE support the IFTS operations through their ‘Leonardo CAE Advanced Jet Training’ joint venture.
Already chosen by Qatari, Japanese, German, and Singaporean Air Forces and selected as the flagship campus by the NATO Flying Training in Europe (NFTE) project, the IFTS benefits from the Italian Air Force’s flight training expertise and Leonardo’s advanced technologies for training solutions. The IFTS demonstrates how the M-346 ITS can increase the student pilots’ throughput regardless of the fighter aircraft they will operate.
Main picature The Live Virtual Constructive capability at IFTS
