Alenia Aermacchi's first pre-production M-346 advanced jet trainer (LRIP00) made its first flight on 7 July and the improvements to the previous two prototypes provide, according to the company, a 20 per cent increase in performance. In a statement released shortly after the flight, the company said the structure of LRIP00 had been optimised to provide easier maintenance and reduce weight. The spacing of wing spars has been altered, titanium and composites have been used more widely and a new main landing gear has been installed, all of which has provided a reduction in weight of about 700 kg; this has been transferred to additional fuel capacity. One of the prototype aircraft and LRIP00 will appear at Farnbor-ough, the latter on static display and the former as part of the flying display. The M-346 is in competition for requirements in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore and 14 have been ordered by Italy.
展开▼
