[Would you like to see this in-game?]
Description: The M346 FA is the combat version of the M346 advanced trainer. It’s development began in the mid-2000’s when the Italian company Alenia/Aermacchi decided to develop an actual combat version of the new M346 trainer. This new version was planned to equip a total of 9 hardpoints (even if it normally only uses 7), a search and track radar, and upgraded avionics in order to fulfill any possible mission, like CAS, air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, and policing. It was presented for the first time at Le Bourget in 2017, but it was never ordered by anyone initially, as the Italian Air Force didn’t show any interest in acquiring the aircraft in good numbers to replace the AMX A11B. The first actual order came from Turkmenistan, who ordered a total of 4 units plus 2 additional M346 FT, but it is unclear if these are actually FA since they were never seen armed with something. Some years later, in 2023, Nigeria ordered 12 units to equip its lacking air force, with the first aircraft being expected to be delivered by the end of 2024. But before any unit was delivered, the Nigerian Air Force doubled the order, for a total of 24 units. Very recently, in mid-2024, Brazil and Austria showed interest in the aircraft, with the latter one looking forward to ordering a total of 30 aircraft, 24 for the air force and 6 for the navy. But the specific subject of this suggestion is none of the previously mentioned, being the first trance of FA ever produced, the Preserie. A total of 2 units of the Trance were made, the CPX625 and the CPX 622, with the first making its first flight in 2017. These two units are currently being used by Leonardo to test various technologies and weapons, and in the future they will also receive the new Block 20 upgrades, which feature a lot of new technologies, such as an AESA radar, a lad (large area display), and new weapons.
Why it should be in game: It would be a very good benefit for the Italian TT after the AV8B+. The export models could also be added as event/premium or squadrons.
Specifications
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Sources
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M-346 FA - Caccia Leggero Multiruolo
https://aresdifesa.it/m346-fa-per-il-brasile/
Aermacchi M-346FA: maestro nel multiruolo
Farnborough International Airshow 2024: con Leonardo per parlare di M-346, AW249 e AW609 - Aviation Report
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master - Wikipedia
M346 Technical description manual
Weapons
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Machineguns/Cannons
1x FN M3P 12.7 mm machinegun pod
1x 20 mm M621 Giat cannon pod
1x 20 mm Leonardo/Nexter gun pod
1x DEFA 30 mm gun pod
1x GSH 301 30 mm gun pod
Air to air missiles
6x Aim9L
6x Aim9m
6x Aim9L/I1
6x IRIS-T
6x Mica IR
6x Mica EM
4x Derby ER
Unguided Bombs
4x MK82
4x MK82 Retar-ded bomb
4x MK83
4x MK83 Retar-ded bomb
4x MK20 rokeye
4x BL755
4x BLU 107 Durandal
Rokets
28x Hydra 70 mm
28x 51 mm Aerea rokets
28x LAU 7 rokets
28x LAU 500
28x LAU 32 rokets
28x AL 7-70 rokets
12x SNIA BP 122 mm rokets
Guided Bombs
4x GBU12
4x GBU49
4x GBU16
4x Teber81
4x GBU38
4x GBU32
4x Paveway IV
4x Lizard I
4x Lizard II
4x Lizard III
4x Lizard IV
16x GBU39B
4x Opher
16x Spice 250
Air to ground missiles
12x Dual mode Brimstone/ Brimstone 2
4x AGM65B Maverick
4x AGM65D Maverick
Targeting pod:
Litening V
Sniper
Atlis 2
ECM pod
ELT 555
Fuel Tanks
3x 630 L fuel tanks
Pictures
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13 Likes
Goodness gracious that’s a lot of air and ground weapons, +1
7 Likes
If this is the Preserie, oh boy I can’t wait for the production one!
1 Like
it’s the same, these two are just the first FA units being ever created. Actually these two might be more upgraded in the future since they are gonna be used for test new technologies.
1 Like
Saddo!
When there isn’t more, but you aren’t disappointed
Holy hell. GIB
Really making me wish the Israeli ones were armed to an extent, but they’re just trainers :(((
3 Likes
I like the idea of the FA and Yak-131 as TT and FT and 130 as premiums, with 9L(I)s and R-73s. IRIS-T would of course be too powerful and the last thing the game needs is more rat subsonic missile busses.
So all these possible armaments, not in service with Italy, could be interesting but for balancing both in general and with other related aircraft I’m opposed.
1 Like
+1 though i’ll have a couple of things to note about especially the loadouts since it mentions loadout options that are for export customers only such as:
1x GSH 301 30 mm gun pod
That gunpod is intended most likely for Azerbaijan, Poland and/or Turkmenistan
4x Derby ER
Same story except most likely for Azerbaijan and Singapore
4x Lizard I
4x Lizard II
4x Lizard III
4x Lizard IV
16x Spice 250
Same as above
I would love for this to be added into the game +1
1 Like
Negative, all this weapons are from the technical manual and the M346 Brochure wich were presented far before any deal was ever signed. So no, all the weapons included here were wat Alenia/Aearmacchi and Leonardo integrated on the aircraft for a large payload diversity not for what a specific costumer asked. Also, Singaporean and Polish M346 are basic trainer (aka unarmed) and Azerbaijan’s M346 were only fitted with exibition smoke pods for now.
This looks great. Being subsonic, may be a good way to introduce more advanced missiles. Great looking plane too.
2 Likes
Another appearance of the Mighty .50 cal FN® M3P machine gun pod
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Got to love to see it.
Definitely a fun plane to do CAS in! I hope to see it in-game. +1
2 Likes
Actually a very cool skin to also add btw
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From the top it kinda looks like a mini F-16 with a large cockpit.This thing looks really fun though, i really like small strike aircraft. +1
2 Likes
Looks like a mini Dassault Rafale from the front.
Looks beautiful
2 Likes
Praying for this plane to be added, amazing armament and just stunning looks
2 Likes
I don’t believe that’s entirely possible, for the Israeli weaponry that is. The SPICE-250 bombs have yet to be sold to any foreign nation and are only used and tested by Rafael, and the I-Derby ER has only been sold to and operated by India and Colombia. Unless there’s proof that Rafael loaned these weapons to Alenia/Aearmacchi and Leonardo to be integrated, I don’t think it can be added to it ingame as there’s no proof they ever obtained such weaponry. It’s more than likely any mentions of it refers to that it’s likely compatible with it given weapon systems like the Derby/I-Derby and SPICE-2000/1000 exist on the foreign market as widely used weapons and have many similarities making integration of these newer weapons very likely possible should such integration be attempted. It can receive the Derby however, as that’s the variant it was likely to have been seen with and integrated, but no SPICE-250 guided bombs as far as I’m aware (unless you can prove otherwise. I would be more than happy to be proven wrong, as I would love to use these weapons on this platform.)
