The M-345 is a basic-advanced, lightweight trainer jet developed by Alenia Aermacchi for the basic-advanced stage of pilot training. The new aircraft will meet various training requirements of the armed forces across the world.

Based on developments on the M-311 demonstrator, the M-345 trainer is cost-effective, and offers low acquisition and life-cycle costs in comparison to heavyweight turboprop trainers.

The SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (later Aermacchi S-211 is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by SIAI-Marchetti. Some 60 aircraft have been sold to air forces around the world. Aermacchi bought the production rights in 1997. The redesigned M-311 (now M-345) is currently under development by Alenia Aermacchi. Source wikiwand.com

Aermacchi 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. Source wikiwand.com

Philippine Air Force SIAI-Marchetti S.211

The SIAI-Marchetti S.211 is a single-engine two-seat jet trainer aircraft produced by the Italian manufacturer SIAI-Marchetti, today Alenia Aermacchi S.p.a..

Main users were Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Philippine Air Force. The successor Aermacchi M-311 is currently (2010) under development.

Crew

Propulsion	1 Turbofan Engine
Engine Model	Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-46
Engine Power	11,1 kN	2500 lbf

Speed	665 km/h	359 kts 413 mph
Service Ceiling	12.802 m	42.000 ft
Range	2.848 km	1.538 NM 1.770 mi.

Empty Weight	1.850 kg	4.079 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight	2.500 kg	5.512 lbs

Wing Span	8,43 m	27 ft 8 in
Wing Area	12,6 m²	136 ft²
Length	9,31 m	30 ft 7 in
Height	3,80 m	12 ft 6 in

First Flight	10.04.1981
Production Status	out of production

ICAO Code	S211
Data for (Version)	SIAI-Marchetti S-211

Source flugzeuginfo.net

M-311 demonstrator

The Alenia Aermacchi M-311 light jet trainer is a derivative of S-211 aircraft fitted with a new avionics suite, revised aerodynamic configuration, strengthened structure and a more powerful engine. The strengthened structures and landing gear allows for a service life of 15,000 flight hours as well as allows for an increase of maximum maneuver load factors. The new aircraft replicates military turboprop-powered trainers in terms of acquisition and life-cycle costs but with the enhanced performance of jet propulsion.

The M-311 trainer is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan engine developing 3,190 pounds of thrust. The engine, belonging to the commercial range, features low fuel consumption as well as outstanding reliability and performance. The aircraft’s glass cockpit includes three LCDs 5×7 inches in the front and rear. In addition, the M-311 has HOTAS controls, two mission computers, GPS, HUD in the front cockpit and a rear cockpit repeater.

The Alenia Aermacchi development team has revised the accessibility for systems and has introduced a built-in Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) for airframe, engine and systems to ease maintenance. Pressure refueling and OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System) also helps to reduce the maintenance workload.

Crew:	2
Number of Engines:	1
Service Life Flight Hours:	15,000
Area
Wing Area:	12.6 square meter (136 square foot)
Dimensions
Height:	3.73 meteB7:B26r (12.2 foot)
Length:	9.53 meter (31.3 foot)
Wingspan:	8.51 meter (27.9 foot)
G-load
Max Maneuvering Load Factor:	7 g
Min Maneuvering Load Factor:	-4 g
Sustained Load Factor:	4 g
Performance
Ceiling:	40,000 foot (12,192 meter)
Landing Run Distance:	460 meter (1,509 foot)
Max Range:	970 nautical mile (1,796 kilometer)
Take Off Run Distance:	450 meter (1,476 foot)
Speed
Climb Rate:	4,850 fpm (24.7 mps)
Top Speed at High Altitude:	400 knot (740 kph)
Weight
Fuel Load:	696 kilogram (1,534 pound)
Max Takeoff Thrust:	3,190 pound
Max Takeoff Weight:	4,000 kilogram (8,818 pound)
Min Weight:	2,200 kilogram (4,850 pound)
Payload:	1,000 kilogram (2,205 pound)

Source deagel.com

M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) variant

The M-345 HET is an advanced version of the M-345 jet trainer. Alenia Aermacchi and the Secretariat General of Defence/National Armaments Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Defence signed an agreement in June 2013 to jointly develop the M-345 HET. Between 2017-20 the M-345 variant will replace the ageing fleet of MB-339 aircraft currently in service with the Italian Air Force.

Aermacchi MB-339

Following prolonged studies Aermacchi flew the prototype MB-339 trainer on 12 August 1976. The type was developed from the company’s previous successful MB-326 design; the chief modification compared with the MB-326 was the redesign of the tandem cockpits to give the instructor a good view ahead over the helmet of the pupil. Directional stability was maintained by a larger fin and canted ventral fins, and standard equipment included the Viper Mk 632 engine and Mk 10F zero/zero seat.

The first of 100 MB-339A trainers for the Italian air force (AMI) was handed over on 8 August 1979. Other AMI variants include the MB-339PAN of the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team and the MB-339RM calibration aircraft. In addition, aircraft generally similar to MB-339A standard have been widely exported to customers which include Argentina, Dubai, Ghana, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru and the UAE.

Aermacchi also produced the MB-339B, with upgraded advanced MB-339C. Variants of the MB-339C include the MB-339CD for advanced/fighter lead-in training and its MB-339FD export equivalent, with a fully digital cockpit, and the MB-339CB which has been delivered to New Zealand. Eritrea received six MB-339E non-digital variants of the MB-339C.

Developed in 1995 from an MB-339A, the MB-339AM is a variant specialized for anti-ship attack and armed with two Marte Mk 2A missiles. On 30 May 1980 the prototype MB-339K Veltro 2 entered flight testing. The forward fuselage was broadly similar to that of the MB-326K with a single-seat cockpit and two 30-mm guns below. Advanced avionics, comprehensive weapons compatibility and a rugged airframe failed to tempt customers, however, and the variant was quietly dropped.

Entered service	1979
Crew	2 men
Dimensions and weight
Length	11.24 m
Wing span	10.86 m
Height	3.99 m
Weight (empty)	3.4 t
Weight (maximum take off)	6.3 t
Engines and performance
Engines	1 x Piaggio (Rolls-Royce) Viper Mk 680-43 turbojet
Traction (dry)	19.57 kN
Maximum speed	817 km/h
Combat radius	500 km
Armament
Cannon	podded cannon or machine guns
Missiles	MATRA R550 Magic 2 or AIM-9L/P air-to-air missiles
Bombs	Mk 80 series bombs
Other	rocket pods

Source military-today.com

Design features and technical details of M-345 trainer jet

aircraftstudiodesign.com – cropped

The M-345 is a light, tandem twin-seat shoulder wing aircraft. The strengthened airframe offers fatigue life of 15,000 flight hours. It integrates a retractable tricycle landing gear and a single turbofan engine.

aircraftstudiodesign.com

Improved features of the M-345 include integrated pressure re-fueling and a two-level maintenance concept which minimises operating costs. Together with the trainer jet’s On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) operators can reduce the manpower required for ground maintenance, and cut down on turnaround times to conduct more sorties per day.

The M-345 has an overall length of 9.85m, wingspan of 8.47m, and height of 3.74m. The wing area of the aircraft is 12.6m². The aircraft has an empty weight of 3,300kg and a maximum take-off weight of 4,500kg. The external load carrying capability makes the M-345 suitable for secondary missions.

M-345 cockpit and avionics

The advanced glass cockpit of the M-345 can accommodate two crew members in tandem configuration. The fully digital glass-cockpit is equipped with Hands On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) controls and three 5in x 7in LCD multi-function displays (MFDs) for instructor and student pilot. The forward cockpit is fitted with a Head Up Display (HUD), while the rear cockpit is installed with a HUD repeater.

Alenia Aermacchi M-345

Cockpit features include Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) compatibility along with an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) or Inertial Navigation System (INS), digital moving map, and two mission computers.

The trainer jet is also equipped with an embedded tactical simulation suite that was successfully integrated on the MB-339 and M-346 advanced trainers produced by Alenia Aermacchi. The aircraft integrates a Stores Management System (SMS) too.

Similarities between the M-345 and M-346 cockpits and the respective training syllabuses will also ensure interoperability during joint training operations.

M-345 engine details

The M-345 is powered by a turbofan engine developing a maximum thrust of 1,600kg (3,500lb) at take-off. The fuel is supplied by an internal tank with a storage capacity of 700kg. The Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) aboard the aircraft provides information on the structure, engine and other systems to monitor the operational status of each single component/system.

Williams International FJ44-4M engine – Image: l-39ng.cz

Williams International sets a new standard in value with the introduction of the FJ44-4 turbofan engine. The 3600-pound class “Dash Four” offers more power, lower acquisition and operating cost, and same great reliability.

Using essentially the same proven core with a continued infusion of improved technology, this new dual-channel FADEC-equipped turbofan engine will provide significantly better value than existing engines in its target thrust class.

Engine Characteristics
Thrust Class…..3600 lbf
Length……………52.8 in
Diameter………..25.3 in
Weight (dry)……650 lb

FJ44-4 turbofan Data williams-int.com

Performance of the M-345 trainer aircraft

The M-345 trainer can fly at a cruise speed of 420KTAS. The certified service ceiling of the aircraft is 40,000ft.

The aircraft has a rate of climb of 5,400ft/min. It can reach a distance of 840nm, but the ferry range can be extended to 1,100nm by integrating two external tanks (10% reserve).

The aircraft has a limit load factors of +7/-3.5g at 3,300kg take-off weight. The lengths of ground run required for take-off and landing of the aircraft are 460m and 450m respectively.

Main material source airforce-technology.com

New Aermacchi M-345 prototype completes first flight

VARESE, Italy, Dec. 30 (UPI) — A prototype of Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s Aermacchi M-345 High Efficiency Trainer military aircraft took its first flight during a recent test.

The 30-minute flight took place on Dec. 29 at the Venegono Superiore airfield in Varese, Italy. The plane was flown by two pilots from Leonardo’s aircraft division, including Giacomo Iannelli and Quirino Bucci.

“The aircraft conducted itself perfectly, meeting the expectations of the design parameters while showing excellent performance,” Bucci said in a press release. “The engine in particular demonstrated a great capacity to react to regime changes, which is a fundamental characteristic for a basic training aircraft.”

Leonardo says the company intends to finish flight testing the prototype by the end of 2017 ahead of planned avionics, engine, and flight envelope expansion projects to enhance the plane’s speed, altitude, and maneuverability.

The Aermacchi M-345 HET is a planned training aircraft designed to prepare military pilots for handling combat jets in addition to operational roles. The Italian Air Force plans to procure the craft to replace its existing MB.339A fleet.

The twin-seat trainer is powered by a turbofan in the 1,600 kg / 3,500 lbs. maximum thrust range. Source upi.com

The first M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) production aircraft successfully performed its maiden flight: Details

Variants

M-311

Modernized and uprated version of the SIAI Marchetti S.211/Aermacchi S-211; two prototypes built.

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

Specifications (M-311)

Data from Alenia Aermacchi official site

Source wikiwand.com

Thanks to its modern avionics, considerable external load-carrying capability on the wing pylons and performance, the M-345HET is also suited for operational roles. Life cycle cost reduction is driven by long fatigue and two-level maintenance, the latter made possible by replacing the expensive general overhauls with the airframe and systems Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). The avionics, based on the latest M-346’s experience, matches the standards of the latest combat jets, including HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) controls, Head up Display (HUD), Multi-Function Displays (MFD), the real-time data link. The aircraft is powered by a Williams FJ44-4M-34 turbofan engine with thrust of 1,540 kg (3,450 lbs). The operating efficiency is ensured by pressure refuelling systems and on-board oxygen generation (OBOGS), both of which reduce ground support crews and ground operation times.