By Ryan Maass
Leonardo plans to complete flight tests by the end of 2017.
Pictured: an Alenia Aermacchi M-345 at a Paris air show in 2013. Photo
by J
ulian Herzog/Wikimedia Commons
A prototype of Leonardo-Finmeccanica's
Aermacchi M-345 High Efficiency Trainer military aircraft took its first
flight during a recent test.
The 30-minute flight took place on Dec. 29 at
the Venegono Superiore airfield in Varese, Italy. The plane was flown by
two pilots from Leonardo's aircraft division, including Giacomo
Iannelli and Quirino Bucci.
"The aircraft conducted itself perfectly,
meeting the expectations of the design parameters while showing
excellent performance," Bucci said in a
press release.
"The engine in particular demonstrated a great capacity to react to
regime changes, which is a fundamental characteristic for a basic
training aircraft."
Leonardo says the company intends to finish
flight testing the prototype by the end of 2017 ahead of planned
avionics, engine, and flight envelope expansion projects to enhance the
plane's speed, altitude, and maneuverability.
The
Aermacchi M-345 HET
is a planned training aircraft designed to prepare military pilots for
handling combat jets in addition to operational roles. The Italian Air
Force plans to procure the craft to replace its existing MB.339A fleet.
The twin-seat trainer is powered by a turbofan in the 1,600 kg / 3,500 lbs. maximum thrust range.
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