Alenia Aermacchi M-345

M-311/M-345
The M-311 at the Paris Air Show in 2007
Role	Light attack aircraft and advanced trainer
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Alenia Aermacchi
First flight	M-311 1 June 2005 M-345 29 December 2016
Status	Under development
Number built	2
Developed from	SIAI Marchetti 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.

The M-345 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan. It is based on the earlier S-211, with the addition of both structural and equipment improvements. The airframe has been strengthened, and a glass cockpit and modern avionics have been added. As a basic trainer, the aircraft is designed to complement the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer. The aircraft was designed with a secondary close air support capability with five underwing hardpoints.

The prototype aircraft first flew in June 2005.

In April 2008, Alenia and ENAER of Chile signed an agreement to jointly manufacture and sell the M-346 and M-311 in South America.

On 28 May 2008, Boeing and Alenia signed a joint agreement to cooperate on marketing, sales, training and product support for both the M-346 and M-311.

On 1 June 2015, Alenia Aermacchi presented the M-345 jet to the DGA for the nascent French Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet replacement program. It is developing the Williams International FJ44-4M-powered M-345 for the Italian air force. The M-345 first flew on 29 December 2016.

Data from Alenia Aermacchi official site

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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