Aermacchi SF.260
| SF.260 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| An Italian Air Force SF.260 | |
| Role | Trainer/Light attack |
| Manufacturer |
SIAI-Marchetti Aermacchi Alenia Aermacchi Leonardo-Finmeccanica |
| Designer | Stelio Frati |
| First flight | 15 July 1964 |
| Introduction | April 1966 (FAA certification) |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users |
Italian Air Force Turkish Air Force Mexican Air Force Philippine Air Force |
| Produced | 1964–present |
| Number built | 860+ |
The SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 (now Leonardo SF-260) is an Italian light aircraft marketed as an aerobatics and military trainer. It was designed by Stelio Frati, originally for Aviamilano, which flew the first prototype of it (then designated F.260) on July 15, 1964. Actual production was undertaken when SIAI Marchetti purchased the design soon thereafter and continued with this firm until the company was bought by Aermacchi in 1997. The military versions are popular with smaller air forces, which can also arm it for use in the close-support role.
The design employs a low-mounted cantilever wing and retractable tricycle undercarriage, and is often praised for its sleek lines and sporty appearance. The pilot and up to two passengers (or pilot and one student in trainer versions) are accommodated under a broad, extensively glazed canopy. The structure is approved for acrobatics.
The SF.260 holds the airspeed records for aircraft in its class over the 100 km (62 mi) and 1,000 km (620 mi) closed circuits.
The aircraft was marketed in the United States in the late 1960s as the Waco Meteor, although it was in no way connected with the Waco aircraft company. Thirty SF.260EA – the most recent version – were delivered to the Italian Air Force in 2005 for a total price of €33 million ($40 million).
This small air force operated six Warriors with marks BF-8421 (c/n 049), BF-8424 (c/n 254), BF-8431 (c/n 116), BF-8451 (c/n 206), BF-8477 (c/n 134) and BF-8479 (c/n 136); these Warriors were sold from Philippines via Belgium in 1986, and were complemented by other four new Warriors coming directly from Italy, and employed during the Agacher Strip War with Mali in 1986. These aircraft were in service with Eskadrille de Chasse (EdC - Fighting Squadron) in Force Aérienne de Burkina Faso (FABF - Burkina Faso Air Force).
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