Aircraft

The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainer has flown at nearly Mach 1 for the first time, following the release of a new flight control software standard.

Achieved on 29 December using the Italian company's second prototype aircraft, the M0.96 milestone followed two earlier envelope expansion flights conducted from 22 December and improved on the previous limit of M0.85.

The manufacturer says the new software allowed for smooth operation of the flight controls and automatic load factor limitation, also involving the automatic deployment of the air brake and optimisation of the wing leading-edge flaps to increase the aircraft's performance at an angle of attack up to 35°. The M-346 is expected to achieve two additional major goals this year: clearance of the complete flight envelope and the debut flight of Alenia Aermacchi's first pre-production aircraft.

Currently being assembled at the manufacturer's Venegono production plant, this will incorporate new technologies and design and manufacturing solutions intended to significantly reduce the type's acquisition and life-cycle costs.

The M-346 is being developed to meet the requirements of 10 European air forces involved in the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training, or Eurotraining initiative. The design is intended to replicate the cockpit layout and approach the flight performance of fighters such as the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, and potentially the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.