Aermacchi M-345
| M-345 | |
|---|---|
| A production Aermacchi M-345 trainer aircraft | |
| General information | |
| Type | Basic/advanced trainer and light attack aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo S.p.A. (ex Alenia Aermacchi) |
| Status | In active service |
| Primary user | Italian Air Force |
| Number built | 4 |
| History | |
| First flight | 29 December 2016 (M-345 prototype) 21 December 2018 (M-345 production aircraft) |
| Developed from | SIAI-Marchetti S.211 |
The Aermacchi M-345 is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft designed and produced by the Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo S.p.A.
It is an improvement of the Aermacchi M-311 which in itself was a development of the SIAI-Marchetti S.211. On 29 December 2016, the M-345 performed its maiden flight; one month later, the first order for the type was placed by the Italian Air Force. The first production-standard M-345 was flown from Venegono Superiore in December 2018; and entered service in December 2020 replacing MB-339.