Aermacchi MB-339FD

Type (Muster)
Advanced jet trainer and close air support aircraft (Strahltrainer und leichtes Kampfflugzeug)

Country (Land)
Italy (Italien)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Aermacchi S.p.A.
Via Ing. P. Foresio 1
21040 Venegono Superiore (Varese)
Italy

Phone: 0039-331/813-111
Fax: 0039-331/827-595

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in tandem on Martin-Baker Mk. 10LK ejection seats

Armament (Bewaffnung): The MB-339FD can carry a wide variety of external stores on six wing hardpoints, including:

2 x DEFA 30 mm gun pods with 125 rounds each
6 x bombs
36 x anti-runway bombs BAP-100 or support bombs BAT-120
6 x rocket launchers wfor 50, 68, 81 mm or 2.75 in rockets
4 x LAU-10 or TB-100-4 rocket launchers
4 x Maverick missiles
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder
2 x Oto Melara Mk.2A Marte anti-ship missile
2 x ECM pods
2 x baggage container

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Rolls-Royce Viper 680 turbojet. The CD version has the older Viper Mk. 632-42 turbojet
Max. thrust (Schub): 1 x 19,57 kN (4400 lbs) or 17,79 kN (4000 lbs) for the Viper Mk. 632-42
TBO: 1200 h

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 11,24 m
Height (Höhe): 3,86 m
Span (Spannweite): 11,22 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 19,3 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 3414 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 1430 kg plus 522 kg in external tanks
Max. external load (max. Außenlast): 1815 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 6350 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (max. Horizontalgeschwindigkeit): 920 km/h
Never exceed speed (Geschwindigkeitslimit): Mach 0.8 / 500 kts (926 km/h)
Approach speed (Anfluggeschwindigkeit): 190 km/h
Max. rate of climb (Steigrate): 35 m/s
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 14020 m (46000 ft)
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 550 m, sea level, ISA
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 480 m
Radius of action (Einsatzradius)
   - 268 km lo-lo-lo profile with 4 x 250 kg bombs
   - 425 km lo-lo-lo profile with Marte missile and 2 underwing tanks
   - 815 km hi-lo-hi profile with Marte missile and 2 underwing tanks
Maximum load factor (max. Belastung): +7,33/-4.0 g

Customers (Kunden)
None yet. The Italian Air Force has received 15 of the equivalent MB-339CD from December 1996.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
British Aerospace Hawk
Aero Vodochody L-59

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The MB-339FD (Full Digital) is the latest version of the Aermacchi trainer family. It is the export equivalent of the MB-339CD for the Italian air force, featuring the more powerful Viper 680 turbojet. Both models are characterised by a new cockpit with three liquid crystal colour displays and a modern HuD. This allows to effectively cover the lead-in fighter segment of the training syllabus, preparing the student for the modern systems found in new fighters like EF2000 and even Tornado. It is also offered as an effective attack aircraft in low threat areas, offering autonomous low-level navigation capabilities.
The first MB-339CD was rolled-out on 12 April 1996 and flew on 24. April. Deliveries to the AMI (Aeronautica Militare Italiano) began on 18. December 1996, when the first aircraft was handed over to the Chief of Staff at Pratica di Mare. The final machine was in service by spring 1998.
On 14. April 1997, Aermacchi had delivered its 200th aircraft of the MB-339 jet trainer family, an MB-339C for the Eritrean Air Force. Customers are:

Italian Air Force (107 x MB-339A and 15 CDs)
Argentine Navy (10 x MB-339A)
Dubai Air Wing (7 x MB-339A)
Eritrean Air Force (6 x MB-339CE)
Ghana Air Force (4 x MB-339A)
Royal Malaysian Air Force (13 x MB-339AM)
Nigerian Air Force (12 x MB-339AN)
Royal New Zealand Air Force (18 x MB-339CB - see photo)
Peruvian Air Force (16 X MB-339AP)

Development of the MB-339 began in the mid-seventies, with the first flight on 12. August 1976. The first production MB-339A took to the air on 20. July 1978, and deliveries started in August 1979. Among the users is the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team. The MB-339C with an uprated Viper 680 first flew on 17. December 1985.

Last updated June 12, 1998

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