Italy: Leonardo-Built M-345 joins pilot training fleet

Rome: The Italian Air Force has formally inducted the Leonardo-made M-345 jet into its fleet of trainer aircraft for military pilots.

The platform is intended to support both basic and advanced phases of pilot training.

Equipped with digital avionics and a modern human-machine interface, the M-345 is designed to align with current training requirements and prepare pilots for operating new-generation fighter jets.

“With the M-345 now integrated into the Armed Force’s training syllabus, the Italian Air Force will boast the most modern fixed-wing military training system in Europe,” the company stated.

The M-345 is a light jet trainer equipped with a Williams FJ44-4M-34 turbofan engine.

The cockpit includes a digital system with three color touchscreens and a Head-Up Display.

It features stepped tandem seating and controls that let pilots fly without taking their hands off the main controls.

The M-345 measures 9.8 meters (32.3 feet) in length and has a wingspan of 8.4 meters (27.8 feet).

It has a maximum operating altitude of 12,192 meters (40,000 feet).

It can reach a top speed of 704 kilometers (437 miles) per hour at sea level and 787 kilometers (489 miles) per hour at 6,096 meters (20,000 feet).

As part of an integrated training system, it combines live flight with simulation tools, including advanced simulators and ground-based devices.

This setup connects real aircraft, simulators, and computer-generated tools in real-time, enabling pilots and instructors to train in complex, realistic scenarios that blend live and virtual elements.