As part of the expanded weapon’s capability of the M-346 Master aircraft, the Leonardo Group tested the fighter/attack trainer with air-to-air capability launching Raytheon’s AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missile (AMM). The test, performed at the Salto del Quirra test range in Sardinia this week, also included releases of laser-guided bombs (LGB). Rafael Litening targeting pod was used to guide the LGB. The M-346FA is a fighter/attack variant of the Master. It has additional hardpoints carrying ordnance and fuel tanks, and wingtip rails for AAM. This type also uses the Grifo-346 radar. The goals of the missile launch were to measure the effects of missile plume on engine air-intake and aircraft structure, evaluate store management system (SMS) the functionality and safety interlocks and assess handling quality during missile launch. Two combat capable variants of the M-346 – the FT (Fighter Trainer) variant is a dual-role aircraft that keeps both advanced trainer and Lead-In Fighter Trainer functions. As an evolution from the M-346FT, the FA (Fighter Attack) is designed to provide combat capabilities to a wide range of operational needs.
M-346 Undergoing Weapons Tests
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Elbit Systems Introduces a New Tactical UAS: the Hermes 650 Spark
Elbit Systems has rolled out the Hermes 650 Spark, the latest addition to its Hermes family of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Spark is designed to be the contemporary successor to the long-serving Hermes 450, aiming to modernize UAS fleets that currently consist of mixed 450/900 models or are exclusively equipped with the 450 variants.