AMX International AMX
| AMX | |
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| Role | Ground-attack aircraft |
| National origin | Italy and Brazil |
| Manufacturer | AMX International |
| First flight | 15 May 1984 |
| Introduction | 1989 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users |
Italian Air Force Brazilian Air Force |
| Produced | 1986–1999 |
| Number built | ~200 |
| Unit cost |
$16.5 million (1999)
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 Head-on view of an AMX
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AMX in wrap-around camouflage
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Laiden AMX taking off
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Inside view of cockpit
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AMX in special colour scheme
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The AMX International AMX is a ground-attack aircraft for battlefield interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance missions. As a result of a memorandum between Italy and Brazil for the type's joint development in 1981, AMX International, an Italian-Brazilian joint venture, was formed to develop, manufacture, and market the aircraft. The AMX is designated A-11 Ghibli by the Italian Air Force and A-1 by the Brazilian Air Force.
The AMX is capable of operating at high subsonic speed and low altitude, by day or night, and if necessary, from bases with poorly equipped or damaged runways. It possesses a low infrared (IR) signature and a reduced radar-equivalent cross-section to help prevent detection, while low vulnerability of structure and systems aid survivability and a compliment of integrated electronic countermeasures (ECM), air-to-air missiles and nose-mounted guns provide self-defence capabilities.
The Italian name, "Ghibli", is taken from the hot dry wind of the Libyan desert, and is traditional in the Italian Air Force.
In early 1977, the Italian Air Force issued a requirement for 187 new-build strike fighters, which were to replace its existing Aeritalia G.91 in the close air support and reconnaissance missions, as well as the Lockheed RF-104G Starfighter also being used in the reconnaissance role. Rather than competing for the contract, Aeritalia (now Alenia Aeronautica) and Aermacchi agreed to produce a joint proposal for the requirement, as both firms had been considering the development of a similar class of aircraft for some years. During the early 1970s, Aermacchi had been conducted work on a design study for such a light ground attack aircraft under the designation of MB-340. In April 1978, development work on the joint venture formally commenced.
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Wikipedia