The M-346 block will provide 20 advanced human fronts to repeat the operational environment of the next generation combat aircraft.
During the last military aviation training conference 2025, which occurred in Italy from March 31 to April 2, 2025, Leonardo revealed the new advanced leadership designed for a new movie M-346 block 20Which was announced last year. The new driving cock is a sophisticated human-machine interface (HMI) with a large area of space (LAD), designed to repeat the operational environment of combat aircraft from the next generation such as F-35 and future GCAP.
The new cockpit
Leonardo says that the new cockpit largely enhances the circumstantial awareness of the pilots, reduces the burden of cognitive work, and supports a high -resolution intuitive training experience, ensuring a smooth transition to the front lines platforms. As mentioned in Recent studies on global combat air program (GCAP) in Italy and the United Kingdom, training on military aviation must develop to ensure maximum preparation as the new plane is presented.
Unveil #Mft2025: #LonardoReinforcement #M346 Block 20 Cockpit sets a new standard in experimental training.
It is characterized by a large area display, and the new human interface of the machine (#Hmi) The shape and appearance of fighters from the next generation-the increase in circumstantial awareness, and the reduction of the work burden, reflects … pic.twitter.com/wpam222eawv
– Leonardo Aircraft (@ldo_Aircraft) March 31, 2025
In the new configuration, the cockpit will include a large touch show (LAD) 20 x 8 inches (LAD), which replaces the three multi -functional displays (MFD) currently used, and a low -head screen (HUD). This configuration, which is fully compatible with NVG, will be repeated, for both the front and rear seats on both trained and fighting variables.
The plane will also be equipped with a HMD screen, which has not yet been chosen. M-346 is currently able to employ Thales Scorpio HMDAnd it is possible to include the same system or the transmission of the improved HOBIT in Scorpio.
Leonardo says that the new cockpit will be combined into a preliminary model of the M-346 bloc by mid-2017, with the first delivery of aircraft by the end of 2028. The first operator of the upgraded alternative may be Austria, who chose the M-346 last year, while the M-346s in New Italy will become the modernity of 10 of the calamities.
M-346 program and mass 20
On the occasion of the 2025 Military Aviation Training Conference, Leonardo also presented an update from the M-346 program. Currently, 126 aircraft and 21 simulations have been sold and 19 workers were used all over the world.
However, not all of them have planes, some use the Italian Air Force and M-346 in International Aviation Training School (Ifts). Currently, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Hungary, Spain, Singapore and Qatar are sending their planes to IFTS, with Qatar using its own planes there.
Among the operators who own the plane, in addition to Italy and Leonardo, Singapore, Israel, Poland, Greece, Qatar, Turkmenistan and Nigeria, while Austria chose the plane But it has not yet signed a contract. The fleet flew over 130,000 hours worldwide.
Leonardo says advanced aircraft training faces a fast -changing operating environment, due to the development of military requirements and the introduction of new technologies. The company says that M-346 is designed to be flexible and constantly look at the future so that the training can be effective and sustainable.
The M-346 integrated training system is the backbone for Ifts in Leonardo-metalian Air Force Ifts, based on a complete and completely overwhelming system for a large-scale training experience. Leonardo is among the main advantages of safety, flexibility, ability to adapt, efficiency, realism and cost effectiveness alike as Multiple For front line aircraft.
The new 20 block will integrate the leading edge technologies on both aircraft and the GBTS. The goal is a huge digitization backed by artificial intelligence, virtual and enhanced reality, as it provides “hybrid training” while strengthening the famous virtual building environment (LVC) M-346.
The AR will be presented in HMD, which hints to a new visual representation of the entities that have been simulated by the LVC environment that the pilot who fly on the real plane does not see, but it can only be represented on tools and sensors. Among the other systems that have been presented will be Performance -based mobility (PNB) and link 16 datalink.
The M-346 bloc will also benefit from new navigation, weapons management, aviation management system or IFF (identification of a friend or enemy). Specifically for the M-346 F variable, the additional improvements to the lush possibility include AESA radar (active, electronic, electronic arms) that includes fire control radar capacity, integrating new weapons for both air roles into the air and air to the ground, as well as the built-in datalink missile datalink.
Integrated M-346 Training System
like We often informed usThe latest progress in the T-346 service revolution in training. M-346 is not just a plane, but an integrated system is linked to simulating multiple training tools. It is the ideal system for training future fighter pilots who are not only asking for good pilots, but they also need to manage the entire arms system with all its sensors and weapons in the scenarios that have become more complicated and less lenient with many threats.
GBTs, a The basic part of the training systemIt is one of the most complete at all, consisting of computer -based training and a network of simulation devices that include simulation -based training, partial task trainer, and simulation of full task. Other ground devices are a real time monitoring station and information planning and extraction station.
GBTS allows pilots to learn the training journey, basic maneuver, advanced combat tactics, day and night, Without the need to get wheels from the ground. This allows reducing the aircraft hours required to compete to train future fighters for the latest generation, which reduces costs and improves the efficiency and availability of the fleet for operational tasks.
Despite the importance of reducing costs, the M-346 is unique because it allows the creation of a lively virtual constructive environment, which is an integrated training environment where real and virtual worlds are merged into one operating scenario that pilots in simulation devices interact with pilots flying on the real plane. In this way, future pilots can eurofighter and F-35 work simultaneously real flights (Live), simulating (virtual), adding different types of threats created by computer (building).
T-346s also contains an included tactical training system on board the plane (ETTS), which allows the simulation of sensors, weapons and simulation powers so that the pilots can interact in real time with a tactical virtual scene. Among them, we find advanced radar simulations, Datalinks, targeting pods and all types of sensors used in modern fighters.
The M-346 contains an advanced air dynamic with a high weight and the fastest sound speed of sound, which, along with fly controls through wires and modern and effective turbines, makes it a high-performance coach and high maneuvering energy, which puts the plane at a completely different level compared to other coaches. Thanks to its performance and abilities, T-346 is considered on The same level of F-16 Fighting Falcon.
All these capabilities allow pilots to develop all the skills they need before moving to operational conversion units. The performance of the plane was recently expanded, with the maximum permitted angle of the attack from 25 degrees to 30 degrees and an increase of G when the plane is equipped with an external external fuel tank from 5 grams to 6 g.