Israel's first Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer was rolled out by the manufacturer on March 20 in front of invited guests at Venegono Superiore in Italy. The aircraft had completed its maiden flight five days before the event. The M-346 was selected by Israel to replace the McDonnell Douglas TA-4 Ayit in the advanced and lead-in fighter training roles at Hatzerim AB on February 16, 2012. Thirty M-346s were ordered on July 19, 2012, for operation by the TOR Advanced Flight Training consortium. A joint venture by Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems, TOR will also manage and support the aircraft while they are operated by the air force. The M-346 was christened Lavi (Young Lion) by the Israeli military in July 2013, a name previously used by an indigenous fighter programme cancelled in the late 1980s (see Master to Roar in Israeli Service, August 2013, p22). Initial deliveries are due to take place this summer and operational training on the aircraft should commence in 2015.
展开▼
