The Leonardo M-346: Evolution of a Modern Military Trainer

05/15/2025
By The Defense.info Defense Analysis Team

The Leonardo M-346 Master stands as one of the world’s premier advanced jet trainers, bridging the gap between basic flight training and frontline fighter aircraft operation.

As the aircraft celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, its continued evolution demonstrates how a specialized training platform can adapt to changing military requirements while expanding into new operational roles.

The story of the M-346 begins in the early 1990s, during a period of post-Cold War international cooperation.

In 1993, Italian aircraft manufacturer Aermacchi initiated a partnership with Russia’s Yakovlev Design Bureau to develop an advanced military jet trainer.

This collaboration produced the YAK/AEM-130 Technology Demonstrator, which completed its maiden flight in 1996.

However, the international partnership dissolved in 2000 over a fundamental disagreement regarding engine selection.

According to Paolo Mezzanotte, who worked at Aermacchi during this period, “There was a total disagreement – the Russians would not accept an American engine on a Russian military plane.”

This split sent the two companies in different directions, with Yakovlev developing what would become the Yak-130, while Aermacchi independently pursued what would become the M-346 Master.

The Italian-developed M-346 made its first flight on July 15, 2004, marking the beginning of a successful program that would evolve alongside changes in the parent company.

Following corporate restructuring, Alenia Aermacchi was integrated into Finmeccanica in 2016, which was subsequently rebranded as Leonardo in 2017.

Despite these corporate changes, the aircraft program maintained its developmental momentum.

Airframe and Performance

The M-346 is a twin-engine, tandem-seat transonic aircraft with impressive performance characteristics that allow it to effectively simulate the flight envelope of modern combat aircraft. The aircraft is capable of reaching supersonic speeds in a dive and features a full authority fly-by-wire control system with quadruple redundancy, enhancing its handling characteristics while reducing pilot workload.

With a wingspan of 9.72 meters (31.9 feet) and length of 11.49 meters (37.7 feet), the M-346 achieves a maximum level speed of 1,090 km/h (590 KTAS) and a service ceiling of 13,715 meters (45,000 feet).

Its airframe is designed to withstand load factors between +8 and -3 g, allowing pilots to experience the physical demands of high-performance combat maneuvering.

Propulsion System

The M-346 is powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 non-afterburning turbofan engines, each delivering 2,850 kg (6,280 lb) of thrust.

This powerful propulsion system enables transonic flight without requiring afterburners, reducing fuel consumption and operating costs.

A notable feature of the M-346 is its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), which provides operational independence by allowing the aircraft to start and operate without external ground support equipment.

This capability increases deployment flexibility and reduces the logistical footprint required to operate the aircraft.

Advanced Avionics

The aircraft incorporates a fully digital cockpit that mirrors the complexity and capabilities of frontline fighters. Key avionics features include:

  • A modern human-machine interface with Head-Up Displays (HUD) and Multi-Function Displays (MFD)
  • Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controls
  • In-flight safety features such as the Pilot Activated Attitude Recovery System (PARS)
  • Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible cockpit
  • Voice command capabilities
  • Integrated Helmet Mounted Display (HMD)[3]

Ecosystem Training Approach

What truly sets the M-346 apart from its competitors is its integrated training ecosystem.

The aircraft serves as the centerpiece of a sophisticated training architecture that blends live flying with advanced simulation.

The Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS) represents a revolutionary approach to pilot training. This onboard system allows the aircraft to simulate various sensors, weapons systems, and tactical scenarios without actually carrying the physical equipment. It enables pilots to train against Computer Generated Forces (CGF) and practice complex mission scenarios in a realistic environment.

The system facilitates Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training, integrating actual aircraft in flight (Live) with ground-based simulators (Virtual) and computer-generated threats and forces (Constructive). This integrated approach allows for comprehensive training in complex battlespace environments without the need for multiple aircraft types or large support fleets.

Complementing the airborne capabilities is the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), consisting of high-fidelity simulators, multimedia classroom resources, mission planning tools, and comprehensive training management systems. This integrated approach ensures a seamless progression from classroom to simulator to aircraft, maximizing training efficiency and effectiveness.

According to Leonardo test pilot Giacomo Iannelli, these features allow the M-346 to deliver “an unrivalled training solution for pilots of the most advanced front-line aircraft.”

The wide flight envelope, high thrust-to-weight ratio, and carefree handling at high angles of attack make the M-346’s flight characteristics similar to those of next-generation combat aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon or the F-35, maximizing training effectiveness while reducing expensive flight hours on frontline aircraft.

From Trainer to Fighter: The M-346FA

Recognizing the aircraft’s inherent capabilities, Leonardo developed the M-346FA (Fighter Attack) variant, transforming the advanced trainer into a light combat aircraft. This variant is equipped with Leonardo’s Grifo multi-mode radar, advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, and a comprehensive Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS)..

The M-346FA can be armed with various weapons across its seven hardpoints, supporting both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations with IR, radar, laser, and GPS-guided munitions. The aircraft can also carry gun pods and reconnaissance/targeting pods, all integrated with the Helmet Mounted Display system.

Importantly, the Fighter Attack variant retains all the training capabilities of the standard M-346, allowing it to serve in a dual role.

The aircraft can also be equipped with tactical data links such as Link 16, enhancing its interoperability with other NATO assets.

Operational Experience

The M-346’s capabilities have been validated through extensive operational use across multiple air forces. As of 2022, the global M-346 fleet had accumulated over 100,000 flight hours[9], demonstrating the platform’s reliability and effectiveness.

The aircraft is currently operated by the air forces of Italy, Israel, Singapore, Poland, Qatar, Greece, and Turkmenistan.

Each operator has integrated the M-346 into their training systems in different ways:

  • Italy operates 18 aircraft, plus additional M-346s for the International Flight Training School (IFTS), a joint initiative between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo.
  • Israel has operated the M-346 for over 8 years, accumulating more than 50,000 flight hours and using the aircraft as their primary advanced trainer.
  • Singapore maintains a squadron of 12 M-346 aircraft.
  • Poland operates 16 aircraft at the 41st Training Aviation Base in Dęblin, where they form the backbone of what is considered “one of the most modern pilot training programs in the world.”

In September 2024, the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team Frecce Tricolori unveiled the M-346 as its new demonstration aircraft, replacing the older Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN with a new livery designed by Pininfarina, This high-profile assignment further underscores the aircraft’s handling qualities and performance capabilities.

The aircraft has extensive operational experience behind it.

The first M-346 was delivered to the Italian Air Force in 2011. Poland started using the M-346 in 2016. The Israeli Air Force received its first M-346 in mid-2014.

Training systems have evolved significantly over the years as has the aircraft.

Now Leonardo is working a Block 20 program which is being crafted to advance not just the aircraft but its role within the embedded training systems in use now and anticipated in the near to mid-term in an advanced training program as has been and is being developed at the International Flight Training School in Sardinia.

We will turn to the nature of the Block 20 upgrade being designed and built for the aircraft in a later article.

(Featured Photo Credit Aeronautica Militare – Troupe Azzurra)