Alenia Aermacchi M-345
| M-311/M-345 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The M-311 at the Paris Air Show in 2007 | |
| Role | Light attack aircraft and advanced trainer |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Alenia Aermacchi |
| First flight | 1 June 2005 |
| Status | Under development |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | SIAI Marchetti S.211 |
The Alenia Aermacchi M-345 (M-311 before 2012) is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft. It is a development of the SIAI Marchetti S.211/Aermacchi S-211.
Design and development
The M-345 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan. It is based on the earlier S-211, with the addition of both structural and equipment improvements. The airframe has been strengthened, and a glass cockpit and modern avionics have been added. As a basic trainer, the aircraft is designed to complement the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer. The aircraft was designed with a secondary close air support capability with five underwing hardpoints.
The prototype aircraft first flew in June 2005.[1]
In April 2008, Alenia and ENAER of Chile signed an agreement to jointly manufacture and sell the M-346 and M-311 in South America.
On 28 May 2008, Boeing and Alenia signed a joint agreement to cooperate on marketing, sales, training and product support for both the M-346 and M-311.[2][3]
On 1 June 2015, Alenia Aermacchi presented the M-345 jet to the DGA for the nascent French Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet replacement program. It is developing the Williams International FJ44-4M-powered M-345 for the Italian air force.[4]
Variants
- M-311
- Modernized and uprated version of the SIAI Marchetti S.211/Aermacchi S-211; two prototypes built.[5]
- M-345
- Redesignation of the M-311 from 2012.
- M-345 HET
- Re-engined High-Efficiency Trainer version to be powered by 1 Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan[6]
Specifications (M-311)
Data from Alenia Aermacchi official site
General characteristics
- Crew: Two (student and instructor)
- Length: 9.85 m (32 ft 32 in)
- Wingspan: 8.47 m (27 ft 78 in)
- Height: 3.74 m (12 ft 27 in)
- Wing area: 12.6 m² (135.6 ft²)
- Empty weight: 2,300 kg (5,070 lb)
- Useful load: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,200 kg (7,055 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 4,100 kg (9,040 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C turbofan engine, 14.19 KN (3,190 lbf)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 795 km/h (430 knots, 495 mph)
- Maximum speed: 740 km/h (400 knots, 460 mph)
- Stall speed: 156 km/h (84 knots, 97 mph)
- Range: 1,778 km (960 nm, 1,105 miles)
- Service ceiling: 12,190 m (40,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 1,438 m/min (4,720 ft/min)
- Thrust/weight: 0.452:1
- Acceleration limits: +7.33g (+71.9 m/s²)/−3.5g (−34 m/s²)
Armament
- Up to 1000 kg (2,205 lb) of weapons on five hardpoints, including gunpods, bombs, and rockets.
See also
- Related development
References
- ↑ "Training aircraft", Projects (gallery), Airforce technology.
- ↑ Defense News.
- ↑ Boeing (press release), May 26, 2008.
- ↑ http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-france-plans-alpha-jet-replacement-413675/
- ↑ "S.211" (production list). NL: SIAI-Marchetti.
- ↑ Alenia picks FJ44 for M-345 trainer, mulls SF-260 replacement
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aermacchi M-345. |
- "M-345", Training systems products (official site), IT: Leonardo-Finmeccanica.
- "M-311 – Basic Jet Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft", Projects, Airforce technology.