As anticipated in yesterday's Show News, a twin ITEC (Honeywell) F124 turbofan-powered, fully westernized derivative of the Yak/AEM-130 is the basis of Aermacchi's new M-346 advanced jet-trainer. Announcing its full commitment to the new project yesterday, Aermacchi said it would give priority to development of the M-346. Incorporation of western technologies is expected to result in lower weights, higher performance, better reliability, and improved supportability.

Development of a Russian version is being pursued by Yakovlev and Sokol under a different time schedule.

After eight months of negotiations, several other international partners will be involved in the new program. In addition to Honeywell's contribution, the digital flight control system will be provided by Teleavio/Marconi Italiana, in collaboration with BAE Systems of Santa Monica, plus Dowty and Microtecnica for actuation. Alenia DSAE will supply the main mission processor, LCD multi-function displays, and HUDs. Honeywell will provide an embedded GPS/INS, and Martin-Baker/SICAMB its ejection seats. Partnership agreements have already been reached with Honeywell/FIAT Aviazione, Teleavio/Marconi Italiana/BAE Systems, Alenia DSAE, and ASE (formerly Magneti Marelli Avio), which is supplying electrical generators.

More than 300 flights have been logged by the single Yak-130 prototype over the past four years, together with wide-ranging ground tests. Extensive configuration modifications have conferred outstanding and carefree handling qualities, at angles of attack to 40 degrees or more. Aermacchi says full development funding is in place for the Yak/AEM-130 and its derivatives, for which the Italian Air Force will be the certification authority. Prototype first flight is scheduled by mid-2002, followed by a second aircraft in 2003.

The M-346 conforms with the requirements expressed by the military working group set up for the Eurotrainer program, endorsed by the European chiefs of staff committee. In addition to the Italian Air Force, future markets are expected to be found from joint re-equipment of European training establishments on the Canadian model, expected to evolve by the end of the decade. Forecast sales of the M-346 over the next 30 years are over 600, worth $2 billion or more. Development of a full aircraft-integrated ground training system is also planned, to continue within the overall project.

By John Fricker