An advanced jet trainer developed into a dedicated light-combat Fighter Attack branch with multirole sensors and guided-weapon integration.
Development
Aermacchi M-346 Master armed family was developed by Aermacchi in Italy as a attack aircraft. The family first flew in 2004. Its recorded airframe configuration is fixed wing, with the family classified in the archive as core combat-aircraft scope.
Operational History
Operationally, Aermacchi M-346 Master armed family is represented primarily in the attack aircraft role. The sourced variant records include service with Italian Air Force. The current structured record does not attach a specific conflict authority to this family; operational context remains limited to sourced service and role data. Role tags attached to the family include battlefield interdiction and air superiority.
Variants and Lineage
Major variants represented in the structured record include M-346 prototype, M-346 production configuration, M-346FA demonstrator, and M-346FA Block 20.
Variants
| Designation | Type | Role | Recorded operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-346 production configuration | Production | Attack | Italian Air Force |
| M-346 prototype | Prototype | Attack | Italian Air Force |
| M-346FA Block 20 | Upgrade | Attack | Italian Air Force |
| M-346FA demonstrator | Prototype | Attack | Italian Air Force |
Representative specifications
Configuration-specific profiles are shown separately so values from different variants are not blended into one false “standard” aircraft.
M-346 prototype — C019 baseline technical profile
- Crew
- 2
Powerplant: 2 × Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofans
Armament: Combat derivatives integrate air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, precision air-to-surface weapons, gun pods, and targeting/sensor pods.
Sources and further reading
Structured references supporting this aircraft family, variants, specifications, and narrative sections.
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004-05 — Jane's Information Group · Tier 3
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 — Jane's Information Group · Tier 3
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2020-21 — Jane's Information Group · Tier 3
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2025-26 — Jane's Information Group · Tier 3