M-346FA GETS GREAT AUDIENCE AT THE DUBAI AIRSHOW

The fighter attack variant of the highly appreciated M-346 is designed to provide enhanced mission performance to the air forces on the battlefield.

M-346FA Fighter Attack (Photo: Adrian Pingstone)

Leonardo's M-346FA Fighter Attack was a highlight of the recent Dubai Airshow. The aircraft, displayed in static area S18, attracted considerable interest from the public and potential users. During our visit to the event, we met a delegation from the Kuwaiti Air Force who were very interested in the Italian jet.

Kuwait has just signed an agreement for the purchase of 28 Eurofighter jets, and the M-346 could represent the right solution for its pilot training. Kuwaiti pilots are currently completing their training at the 61st Wing of the Italian Air Force on the T-346A aircraft.

The M-346FA is capable of operating very effectively as a multi-role tactical aircraft. It is equipped with seven external hardpoints for the deployment of a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, as well as various external loads, such as the advanced Brimstone missile.

Brimstone is a close air support weapon offering to the fast jet pilot the unique capability of engaging a wide range of target types, including fast moving vehicles/vessels in both land and naval environments and in both direct and indirect modes. It is fully integrated onto RAF Tornado GR4 and is intended for integration on Typhoon (More details here) and Future Attack Helicopter.

The M-346FA is also equipped with the Grifo multi-mode fire control radar, it is a state-of-the-art, compact, X-band radar for all-weather sea, ground and air surveillance.

The Italian Air Force has deployed the T-346A as "Aggressor" during the military exercises TLP and Vega 2017 (More details here), demonstrating the great skills in the air-to-air combat of the aircraft.

Written by Matteo Sanzani