The Polish Air Force received the last batch of M-346 trainer jets, manufactured by Leonardo. With this latest delivery, Poland now has the second largest fleet of the model in Europe.
This is the third batch delivered to the Poles, consisting of four M-346 advanced jet trainers. The aircraft, delivered on schedule, bring the Polish Air Force's fleet to 16 planes. According to Leonardo, Poland is also the second largest export customer among the M-346 customer base.
In February 2014, Poland chose the Italian M-346 as the successor to the legendary PZL TS-11 Iskra trainer aircraft, manufactured locally between the 1960s and 1980s. Polish Air Force in Dęblin, the M-2018 received the official name “Bielik”.
Since its introduction in Poland the M-346 has been assigned to the 41st Training Air Base in Dęblin, in the east of the country. During its time in service, the aircraft proved to be a game changer for Polish pilots.
Poland's M-346 "Bielik" system was also certified by the US Air Force for the training of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter pilots, an important milestone that allowed Poland to train many of its cadets on its own territory, rather than abroad.
Having achieved over 100.000 flight hours, the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) has demonstrated excellent performance in of fleet availability and reliability as a technologically advanced and mature program. More than 100 M-346 aircraft have been ordered by major international air forces including Italy, Israel, Poland, Singapore, Qatar and Greece.
The aircraft is also backbone of the International Flight Training School (IFTS), a collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force, which has already been selected by Japan, , Qatar and Singapore.
Details of the Leonardo M-346
Originally developed alongside the Russian Yakovlev, the M-346 is among the most modern trainer aircraft in the world. According to Leonardo, the plane is “the focal point of an integrated training system”, representing “the most advanced solution for training a new generation of fighter pilots.”
Through the Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS), the M-346 is able to emulate the presence of weapons, sensors and virtual enemies, called Computer Generated Forces (CGF). Pilots are also able to interact in real time through real, virtual, and constructive training, which features real, simulated, or CGF-formed aircraft.
The system is completed by the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), which consists of various flight and mission simulation systems, multimedia and classroom courses, mission planning and training management systems, and an integrated logistical service ( ILS), which optimizes simulator fleet and management for maximum operational use.
Equipped with a pair of Honeywell F124-GA-200 engines and capable of exceeding 1000 km/h, the M346 also evolved into a light fighter in its M-346FA (Fighter Attack) version.
In this variant, the jet receives a multimode Grifo radar, with mechanical scanning and optimized especially for the M-346. The aircraft can receive a probe for in-flight refueling and is protected by a complete ive defense system (Defensive Aids Sub-System). It also has tactical datalink and integrated communication system.
The M-346FA has seven hardpoints (six on the wings and one on the fuselage) for use with a variety of armaments, including short-range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, conventional and smart bombs, external tanks and reconnaissance pods. and target designation. The aircraft still receives integration with HMD helmets (Helmet Mounted Displays).
With Leonardo Group
