The Aermacchi MB-339 jet
trainer, produced by Aermacchi SpA of Varese,
Italy, has been widely exported and is in
service with the air forces of Argentina, Dubai,
Eritrea, Ghana, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Nigeria and Peru. The MB-339 jet trainer was
initially developed to cover the basic and
advanced training requirements of the Italian
Air Force. The first of two prototype
MB339-X, (I-NOVE) was flown on August 12, 1976.
The first production MB339-A were delivered to
the Italian Air Force on August 9, 1979.
The MB-339A,
equipped with a Viper 632 engine, is in service
with seven air forces in basic and advanced
training and close air support roles. The
MB-339B is fitted with the more powerful Viper
680 Rolls Royce engine and higher capacity tip
tanks.
The MB-339C, also
powered by the Viper 680 engine, is fitted with
an enhanced avionics fit. The aircraft has been
in full service since 1991 and its configuration
includes: Head Up Display (HUD) in both
cockpits; a monochromatic multifunction display
(MFD); hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS)
control; NAV Computer; Weapon Aiming Computer;
Inertial Platform; Stores Management System; and
Radar Warning Receiver.
MB-339 FD (FULL
DIGITAL)
The latest
version (first flight in 1996) is the MB-339FD
(Full Digital) for the advanced fighter training
role, covering weapon system management in a
high-performance, high-manoeuvrability aircraft.
The MB-339FD has been selected by the Venezuelan
Air Force, which has a requirement for 24
aircraft.
The MB-339FD Full
Digital trainer is equipped with a new avionics
suite connected by a MIL-STD- 1553B dual
redundant data bus and retains the Viper 680
engine of the MB-339C. Full control and display
duplication in the rear cockpit provides
effective system operator training.
The MB-339CD is
the Italian Air Force (AMI)version of the
MB-339FD, meeting the requirement for a low cost
aircraft to train Tornado crews and Eurofighter
pilots. 30 have been ordered and 15 delivered.
30 have been ordered. The aircraft is
representative of current-generation front-line
combat aircraft and it retains close commonality
with the MB-339A, being equipped with the Viper
632 engine already in service.
