Finmeccanica Pitches M346 for Training/Attack Dual Role | Aviation International News

Finmeccanica Pitches M346 for Training/Attack Dual Role

After fatal AW609 Tiltrotor prototype crash, terminating the program not an option, company says

By Thierry Dubois • Writer

November 9, 2015

Finmeccanica (Chalet A56) has this year “launched an investment” for a dual-role M346 trainer/light-attack aircraft, Filippo Bagnato, leader of the company’s aeronautics sector, said here on Monday.

The strategy is to offer potential customers–with the UAE and neighboring countries in mind–a three-step approach. As a first step, under a joint effort with the Italian air force, Finmeccanica would offer to train foreign pilots in Italy with M346s. Second, Finmeccanica would provide M346s for training in the customer’s country. Third, the company wants to offer to turn the trainers into dual-role aircraft. The second role would be “mainly ground attack, with a bit of self-defense thanks to a short-range missile,” Bagnato explained.

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