Leonardo M-346: Two Decades of Cutting-Edge Training Excellence | Aviation

On July 15, 2024, the M-346 advanced jet trainer celebrated 20 years since its first flight, and is now being further upgraded to start the next chapter of its operational life.

Jul. 15, 2024, marked the 20th anniversary of the first flight of the M-346 Master. The aircraft, considered by many as the most advanced jet trainer currently available, brought many new technologies to improve the training of future 4th and 5th gen fighter pilots, including the state-of-the-art Ground-Based Training System and the Live Virtual and Constructive (LVC) technologies.

With more than 100 aircraft on order by major international air forces, including those of Italy, Israel, Poland, Singapore, Qatar and Greece. The M-346 is also the backbone of the Italian Air Force and Leonardo’s International Flight Training School (IFTS), where pilots from nine different countries are training today, and is also being proposed as a replacement for the U.S. Navy’s T-45 fleet.

The M-346 might now be about to start a new chapter as the new aircraft of the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team Frecce Tricolori. In fact, it is being reported that the team might unveil the M-346 in the Frecce…