Alenia Aermacchi M-345

The Alenia Aermacchi M-345 (M-311 before 2012) is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft. It is a development of the SIAI Marchetti S.211/Aermacchi S-211.

Design and development
The M-311 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan. It is based on the earlier S-211, with the addition of both structural and equipment improvements. The airframe has been strengthened, and a glass cockpit and modern avionics have been added. As a basic trainer, the aircraft is designed to complement the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer. The aircraft was designed with a secondary close air support capability with five underwing hardpoints.

The prototype aircraft first flew in June 2005.

In April 2008, Alenia and ENAER of Chile signed an agreement to jointly manufacture and sell the M-346 and M-311 in South America.

On 28 May 2008, Boeing and Alenia signed a joint agreement to cooperate on marketing, sales, training and product support for both the M-346 and M-311.

Variants



 * M-311 : Modernized and uprated version of the SIAI Marchetti S.211/Aermacchi S-211; two prototypes built.


 * M-345 : Redesignation of the M-311 from 2012.
 * M-345 HET : Re-engined High-Efficiency Trainer version to be powered by 1 Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan