AMX
With the likelihood of a launch export order for the AMX rapidly diminishing, the programme's future appears to be restricted to aircraft upgrades for the Italian and Brazilian air forces. Both air forces suspended flights of the aircraft for periods during the second quarter of 1996 following an accident attributed to a compressor-blade failure. Italy continues to consider an AMX conversion programme to fulfil the dedicated EW role. It has also begun to integrate the Paveway II laser-guided bomb on the aircraft, with designation carried out by Tornado aircraft fitted with the Thomson-CSF CLDP pod. The Brazilian air force signed an order for a third batch of 22 AMX attack aircraft in the third quarter of 1993, almost 12 months later than originally planned. Brazil has also started to consider a major upgrade programme for its AMX fleet.
The Italian air force is to also use some of its AMX units to fulfil the tactical-reconnaissance role by equipping the aircraft with the Orpheus reconnaissance pod. The air force is also looking at the ATARS reconnaissance system.
The prototype AMX(T) trainer, in which a second cockpit replaces the forward-fuselage fuel tank, was rolled out by Alenia on 25 January, 1990. Deliveries to Italy started in late 1990 and deliveries to Brazil a year later. An anti-surface-vessel AMX, armed with Aerospatiale Exocet and DASA Kormoran missiles, will incorporate the FIAR Grifo-ASV maritime-strike radar or SMA/Tecnasa Scipio radar. Future AMX developments planned include electronic-combat/ reconnaissance and night-attack versions of single- and twin-seat types.
The aircraft's design allows for low-cost, STOL operation from semi-prepared strips, minimum vulnerability and maximum survivability. The basic single-seat aircraft is intended for daytime low-level attack and tactical reconnaissance. A removable refuelling probe can be fitted. Work is divided 70:30 between Italy and Brazil, with Italy's share arranged 70:30 between Alenia and Aermacchi. Argentina, Chile and Peru have all been courted as potential stomers for the army, with no success. Chile and Peru have been offered up to 60 AMX with uprated Spey 807As or P&W PW1150s for better hot-and-high performance. So far, however, none of these efforts have borne fruit.
Source: Flight International
