 |
| Aermacchi MB-339 |
Militarymedia.net - Following a prolonged study Aermacchi flew the prototype trainer MB-339 on 12 August 1976. It was developed from the company's previous successful MB-326 design; the main modification compared to the MB-326 was the redesign of the tandem cockpit to give the instructor a good view in front of the pupil's helmet. Directional stability is maintained by larger fins and tilt ventral fins, and standard equipment includes the Mk 632 Viper engine and Mk 10F zero / zero seats.
The first 100 MB-339A trainer for the Italian air force (AMI) was delivered on 8 August 1979. Other AMI variants include the MB-339PAN from the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team and the MB-339RM calibration aircraft. In addition, aircraft generally similar to the MB-339A standard have been widely exported to customers including Argentina, Dubai, Ghana, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru and the UAE.
Aermacchi also produced the MB-339B, with the upgraded MB-339C. The MB-339C variants include the MB-339CD for advanced training / fighter aircraft and the export equivalent of the MB-339FD, with a fully digital cockpit, and the MB-339CB which has been delivered to New Zealand. Eritrea received six MB-339E non-digital variants of the MB-339C.
Developed in 1995 from the MB-339A, the MB-339AM is a special variant for anti-ship attack and is armed with two Marte Mk.2A missiles. On 30 May 1980 the prototype MB-339K Veltro 2 entered flight testing. The front fuselage is broadly similar to the MB-326K with a one-seat cockpit and two 30mm guns underneath. Advanced avionics, comprehensive weapons compatibility, and a rugged airframe failed to tempt customers, and the variant was quietly dropped.
