Contributor - Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith

Leonardo launched the Block 20 iteration of the M-346 training and fighter aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow on Monday. The upgrade will mean a comprehensive capability enhancement for the aircraft.
The "M-346 T" has enjoyed a measure of market success. New features that will augment the&nbsp;M-346 F's combat potential&nbsp;include artificial intelligence, digital video, navigation, weapon management, and flight management systems, as well as upgraded identify-friend-or-foe equipment.
Leonardo has delivered more than 100 versions of earlier iterations of the technology to operators worldwide, and the company has logged more than 120,000 flight hours in operational service with customers and through the unique training abilities delivered by the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in collaboration with the Italian Air Force.
"The M-346 has established itself as the most complete training system for pilots and is meeting emerging needs for cost-effective combat operations," the company said in a statement.
On the sidelines of a Leonardo press conference at the Farnborough Airshow on Monday, Dario Marfè, Leonardo's director of commercial aircraft and customer service, told AIN that the fighter had yet to engage in combat, although he added that the current uncertain geopolitical climate has increased the chance of combat deployments in future.&nbsp;

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