(Alenia Aermacchi) MB-339 @·AIRCRAFTUBE

  • Aermacchi MB-339A Aermacchi MB-339A
    Aermacchi MB-339A
  • Eritrea Aermacchi MB.339CE Eritrea Aermacchi MB.339CE
    Eritrea Aermacchi MB.339CE
  • Aermacchi MB.339FD Aermacchi MB.339FD
    Aermacchi MB.339FD
  • MB-339A MB-339A
    MB-339A
  • Aermacchi MB.339 PAN<br>(Frecce Tricolori) Aermacchi MB.339 PAN<br>(Frecce Tricolori)
    Aermacchi MB.339 PAN
    (Frecce Tricolori)
  • MB-339CD (RIAT 2008) MB-339CD (RIAT 2008)
    MB-339CD (RIAT 2008)
  • Aermacchi MB.339CD Aermacchi MB.339CD
    Aermacchi MB.339CD
  • MB-339K MB-339K
    MB-339K
  • MB-339CD MB-339CD
    MB-339CD
  • MB-339A MB-339A
    MB-339A
  • MB-339CD MB-339CD
    MB-339CD
  • MB-339A MB-339A
    MB-339A
  • MB-339CD MB-339CD
    MB-339CD
  • MB-339A MB-339A
    MB-339A

Aermacchi MB-339

Aermacchi went on to perform an effective facelift on the MB-326 to create the MB-339, a modernized derivative. The first of two MB-339X prototypes performed its initial flight on 12 August 1976, with the second following on 20 May 1977. The first of 107 production MB-339A trainers for the AMI performed its initial flight on 20 July 1978, with the type entering service in 1979.

The MB-339 retained substantial commonality with the MB-326, differing mainly in a new forward fuselage with a raised cockpit, and twin ventral fins plus a taller tailfin to compensate for the loss in yaw stability due to the new forward fuselage. The MB-339 also featured updated systems, particularly rocket-boosted SICAMB / Martin Baker Mark 1T-10F ejection seats with "zero zero" (zero speed zero altitude) capability. However, the MB-339 retained the Viper 632-43 engine; Aermacchi had seriously considered replacing it with a more modern and fuel-economical engine, but the Viper was cheap, reliable, and had good performance. The engine was license-built by Piaggio. The MB-339 retained the six stores pylons of the MB-326G. It did not have built-in cannon, but cannon pods, dumb bombs, and rocket launchers were qualified as stores for the light attack role.

19 AMI MB-339As were modified with the famous Italian "Frecci Tricolori" aerobatic team by adding a smoke generator and removing the wingtip tanks (to make formation keeping simpler). These modified machines were designated MB-339PAN, where "PAN" stood for "Pattuglia Aerobatica Nazionale / National Aeronautic Patrol", and went into service in 1982. Eight other MB-339As were modified with specialized avionics and used for electronic calibration and electronic warfare, being designated MB-339RM, where "RM" stood for "Radiomisure (Radio Measurements)".

The MB-339 has been only modestly successful in the export market, the competition for jet trainers being fairly tough. Ten MB-339AA machines were obtained by the Argentine Navy, with the type operating against the British during the Falklands War in 1982. Other MB-339A users included Dubai (seven), Ghana (four), Malaysia (thirteen MB-339AM), Nigeria (twelve MB-339AN), and Peru (sixteen MB-339AP).

Aermacchi also designed a single-seat attack variant of the MB-339, building a "MB-339K Veltro (Greyhound)" demonstrator with company funding. The demonstrator performed its first flight on 30 May 1980. It featured twin built-in DEFA cannon plus larger wingtip tanks. It retained the Viper 632-43 engine. Aermacchi later updated the MB-339K demonstrator with improved avionics and an uprated Viper 680-43 engine with 19.79 kN (1,995 kgp / 4,450 lbf) thrust. This engine had been evaluated beginning in 1983 in a two-seat prototype designated the "MB-339B". There were no takers for the MB-339K single-seater.

Aermacchi also built an improved two-seater, the "MB-339C", with advanced avionics, with prominent radar warning receiver antennas on the tailfin; the Viper 680-43 engine; and the big tip-tanks. It was capable of carrying a wide range of offensive weaponry, such as the Maverick ASM, laser-guided bombs, and Sidewinder AAMs. The first customer was New Zealand, which bought 14, the first being delivered in 1991. Later in the decade, the Eritrean Air Force obtained six "MB-339CE" machines.

The company did test an "MB-339AM" demonstrator, which could carry the OTO Melara Marte Mark II antiship missile, but no production machines followed.

Aermacchi partnered with Lockheed for the US military's "Joint Primary Air Training System (JPATS)" trainer requirement, offering an "MB-339 T-Bird II" variant, the name honoring the old Lockheed T-33 trainer. The T-Bird II had the big tip tanks, a modern Rolls RB582 engine with 17.8 kN (1,815 kgp / 4,000 lbf) thrust, and a substantially modified cockpit with reinforced canopy. The award went to the Pilatus / Raytheon T-6A Texan II turboprop trainer instead.

However, the AMI did obtain an improved "MB-339CD", with the "D" standing for "digital", since the variant is essentially an MB-339C with a digital cockpit featuring three color flat-panel displays and a modern head-up display (HUD). It was intended to provide lead-in training for modern combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter 2000. First flight of the MB-339CD was on 24 April 1996, with the first of 15 machines for the AMI delivered at the end of the year, and final deliveries in 1998. The company is offering an "MB-339FD" for the export market, but there have been no buyers just yet.

Although the MB-339 is a neat and pretty machine, export sales were no doubt somewhat disappointing to Aermacchi. The problem appears to have been that with completely new machines like the British BAe Hawk on the market, few were all that interested in what amounted to a half-new machine.

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This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
Source : Article Aermacchi MB-339 of Wikipedia ( authors )

Aermacchi MB-339

  • Role : Advanced trainer and light attack aircraft.
  • Manufacturer : Alenia Aermacchi.
  • First flight : 12 August 1976.
  • Introduction : 1979.
  • Status : Active, in production (2017).
  • Primary users :
    • Italian Air Force.
    • Royal Malaysian Air Force.
    • Eritrean Air Force.
    • United Arab Emirates.
  • Produced : 1978–present.
  • Number built : 230.
  • Unit cost : $8.3 million.
  • Developed from : Aermacchi MB-326.

    • Characteristics (MB-339A)

  • Length: 36 ft (11 m).
  • Height: 13 ft 1 in (4 m).
  • Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.86 m).
  • Wing area: 207.7 sq ft (19.3 m²).
  • Empty weight: 6,890 lbs (3,125 kg).
  • Max T-O weight: 12,995 lbs (5,895 kg).
  • Max speed: 510 MPH or 440 Kts (815 km/hr).
  • Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (14,600 m).
  • Range: 1,100 Miles or 950 NM (1,760 km).
  • Engine : A Progress AI-25TL with no reheat.
  • Thrust: 3,800 lbf (or 16.9 kN).

— — — = = — — —

This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
Source : Article Aermacchi MB-339 of Wikipedia ( authors )
Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 : Your comments on this subject
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