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Finmeccanica has commenced the final assembly of the Polish Air Force’s first two Aermacchi M-346 advanced / lead-in fighter trainer aircraft at its Aircraft Division facility in Venegono Superiore, Varese, Italy.

The development is part of a contract secured by the company from the Polish Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply eight aircraft and associated logistic support.

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The purchase order, placed by the MoD in 2014, is part of a modernisation effort aimed at replacing the Polish Air Force’s ageing fleet of TS-11 Iskra aircraft.

Additionally, the contract covers a training programme for pilots and engineers, a ground-based training system with dedicated classrooms and educational materials that includes a full mission simulator.

Delivery under the contract is expected to take place in November this year.

"The M-346 Master is a military transonic trainer aircraft designed to offer combat pilot training for frontline fighters with high angle-of-attack capability."

Based on the Russian Yak-130 combat trainer, the M-346 Master is a military transonic trainer aircraft designed to offer combat pilot training for frontline fighters with high angle-of-attack capability.

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Powered by two Honeywell F124 engines, the lead-in fifth-generation fighter features a fly-by-wire control system to enable the aircraft to remain fully controllable at angles of attack of more than 35°, and an integrated digital avionics suite that enables the simulation of sensors and threats during flight.

The aircraft’s avionics are based on those used in current fighters, including the F-16, F-18 and other new-generation aircraft, such as Typhoon, Gripen, Rafale, F-22 and the F-35 joint strike fighter (JSF).

Currently, the air forces of Italy, Israel and the Republic of Singapore operate M-346 aircraft.

Image: The M-346 aircraft in a hanger. Photo: © 2016 Finmeccanica S.p.a.