Leonardo’s M-346 has been selected as the future aircraft for Italy’s National Aerobatic Team, the Frecce Tricolori.
Unveiled on September 12 in Istrana, Treviso, this state-of-the-art aircraft promises to revolutionize the team’s capabilities with its advanced technology and design.
Key Features
The M-346 is renowned for its exceptional performance, boasting over 125,000 flight hours and 126 units sold globally.
It serves as the cornerstone of the International Flight Training School in Decimomannu, Sardinia, a collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force.
The aircraft features fully digital flight controls and avionics, a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy, and a modern human-machine interface, making it the most advanced training aircraft on the market.
Training System Integration
The M-346 integrates into a sophisticated training system based on cutting-edge simulation technologies, creating a seamless blend of real and virtual environments.
This allows pilots to operate in LVC mode: Live (real flight), Virtual (simulators), and Constructive (computer-generated forces/threats).
The training system is set to advance further with a new multi-domain simulator being developed at the Venegono site, enabling real-time integration of various operational domains (Air, Land, Sea, Cyber, Space).
Strategic Importance
Lorenzo Mariani, General Manager of Leonardo, highlighted the strategic importance of the M-346 for the Frecce Tricolori: “This announcement reaffirms the strong collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force, addressing the evolving operational needs of the Armed Forces.
It also solidifies the M-346’s position as a leading advanced training aircraft internationally.”
Conclusion
The introduction of the M-346 marks a significant milestone for the Frecce Tricolori, enhancing their capabilities with the latest in aviation technology.
This advanced aircraft will enable the team to perform even more complex and spectacular aerobatic maneuvers, maintaining their status as a symbol of Italian excellence in aviation.
