• Air power new frontiers and emerging trends are accelerating the development of new capabilities and technologies for fighter pilot training
The M-346
The M-346 is a jet aircraft optimised for advanced military pilot training, offering a broad range of training capabilities combined with long-term reliability. At the heart of a complex and integrated training system, the M-346 is already in service with the air forces of Italy, Singapore, Israel and Poland.
Velivolo a getto per l’addestramento avanzato dei piloti militari progettato per offrire un’ampia capacità di formazione e garantire un’affidabilità a lungo termine. Fulcro di un sistema d’addestramento complesso e integrato, l’M-346 è già in servizio con le forze aeree di Italia, Repubblica di Singapore, Israele e Polonia.

Paris. 21 June 2023 . Airbus and Leonardo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote integrated training systems and study the future solutions to tackle Air Dominance challenges.

Under this collaboration, both companies will jointly address and pursue business opportunities for the provision of advanced training systems leveraging on M-346 proven experience, thanks to over 100,000 flight hours performed worldwide by the aircraft. Airbus and Leonardo will also explore deepening ties and industrial cooperation to tackle future military pilot training domains. All based on cooperation and synergies on specific platforms and programs, also in the framework of a broader European and International collaboration.

‘A strong, innovative and competitive defence industry is a prerequisite for strengthening the European defence environment and for achieving the desired “strategic autonomy”’, said Jean- Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air System Airbus, ‘Leonardo is globally recognized as a key player in the military pilot training business segment and we believe our synergies could give the right answer to our customer requirements’.

‘With this agreement, Leonardo and Airbus combine their distinctive experience and capabilities in order to provide European and International customers with the most advanced and effective Integrated Training Systems solutions’, said Marco Zoff, Leonardo’s Aircraft Division Managing Director. ‘Thanks to a common technology development roadmap based on M-346 ITS, the two Companies will also progressively shape advanced capabilities for the future air power, by intercepting emerging needs and forging innovative solutions, to provide effective next- generation fast-jet pilot training and operational readiness in complex scenarios’.

Air power renewal and emerging trends demand the full capacity of the current most advanced solutions and the accelerated development of new capabilities and technologies for fighter pilot effectiveness management, including aircrew and ground crew training as one of the key pieces to keeping fighter pilots proficient with the ability to exercise their skills and readiness.

The European Advanced Trainer market will account for more than 400 new aircraft deliveries in the next 20 years, plus an additional 12 billion € for the provision of advanced pilots training services.