Block 20, the new digital face
of the M-346

The M-346 is a twin-engine, two-seat transonic jet aircraft, with fully digital flight controls and avionics, equipped with a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy and a modern human-machine interface with display for the “head up” (HUD – Head-up Display) and multifunction (MFD – Multi Functional Display) data presentation.

The aircraft is the fulcrum of a training system consisting of an integrated on-board system for the simulation of tactical training (ETTS - Embedded Tactical Training System), which allows the aircraft to emulate sensors, armaments and CGF (Computer Generated Forces) and allows pilots to operate simultaneously, and in a combined manner, in LVC mode: Live (real flight), Virtual (the various types of simulators) and Constructive (interfacing with any type of force/threat generated by the computer).

The system is completed by the GBTS (Ground Based Training System) ground training segment, composed of various flight and mission simulation systems, multimedia and classroom courses, mission planning and training management systems, and an integrated logistic support (ILS) which optimises the management of fleets and simulators to allow maximum operation.

M-346’s full-mission simulator

TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION FOR 21ST CENTURY ADVANCED JET TRAINING

Changing operational scenarios, training times, the costs of flying fifth generation aircraft, the availability of new, more advanced cockpits, with an eye to the next generation of “combat air”: these are all variants that require an update of the entire trainer system, based on a holistic approach that maintains the correct balance between flying skills and information management, within a dynamic system such as training.

Today, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are the enablers of a further evolution that affects both the aircraft and the ground segment, and which will materialise in the new Block 20 configuration of the M-346, in the two Fighter and Trainer versions.

The integrated capabilities of the training system will be enhanced through upgraded state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, datalinks, and onboard avionics, as well as enhanced human-machine interfaces through augmented reality systems. All supported by advanced supercomputing capabilities, artificial intelligence algorithms and intrinsic cyber resilience characteristics, with substantial benefits in terms of operational availability of the fleet and integrated services.

The entire training ecosystem will benefit from the update, enhancing its distinctive live/virtual/constructive capacity and confirming itself as the best "incubator" for training the latest generation fighter pilots, capable of dealing with updated training syllabuses and threats emerging in the airspace, with or without a pilot.

International Flight Training School – Decimomannu, Sardinia

THE MAIN TECHNOLOGICAL UPDATES ON THE M-346

Development of a new generation cockpit, which includes:
 

In particular, the HMD display allows to increase the realism and effectiveness of the training, providing an immersive environment in which it is possible to view the holograms of the virtual and constructive components that are participating in the simulation. In this way it will be possible to have a positive impact on training costs and CO2 emissions.

Finally, Air-Air and Air-Surface activities, traditionally not performed in phase 4 of the training syllabus, can be anticipated, thus providing the pilot with full awareness of the situation and the peculiar operating conditions of the fifth and next generation platforms.
 

Implementation of a new navigation and identification system, which includes:

Integrations on the fighter version, which include:

M-346 – Assembly line at Venegono (Varese) site

The continuous update path also extends to the ground segment, the Ground Based Training System, with virtual reality and artificial intelligence applications, to:

THE TRADITION OF TRAINERS IN LEONARDO

The M-346 T Block 20 and the M-346 F Block 20 are the latest evolution of a path of continuous technological innovation that began more than seventy years ago. Different companies belonging to the best Italian aeronautical tradition, and which merged first into Finmeccanica and then into Leonardo, have over time built cutting-edge trainer models on which entire generations of military pilots have learned to fly, in Italy and around the world.