iscover
The MB-339FD is likely to have the lowest unit cost of the three lead-in fighter contenders. Development of the advanced three screen glass cockpit is being funded by the Italian Air Force, while the rest of the aircraft is closely related to the MB-339C in service with New Zealand. Note optional inflight refuelling probe.
RAAF Lead-in Fighter – Aermacchi MB-339FD
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Aermacchi Mb-339fd
Raaf Lead-In Fighter – Part 2
Aermacchi’s contender for the RAAF’s Lead-in Fighter project is the MB-339FD, the latest and most advanced development of a family of jet trainers whose origins date back to the late 1950s. Aermacchi is well known in Australia for the 97 MB-326H, or Macchi, jet trainers delivered to the RAAF and RAN from the late 1960s. The 30 or so which remain in service with 25 and 76 Squadrons currently fulfil the RAAF’s lead-in fighter training role and it is these aircraft that the Air Force’s AIR 5367 program aims to replace – and against which Aermacchi is offering the MB-339FD.
Design work on the MB-326 began in the mid 1950s and resulted in a first flight on December 10, 1957. The new type’s first customer was the Italian Air Force who took delivery of its first MB-326s in early 1962. In all over 700 were built for a dozen nations, with key customers including Australia, Brazil and South Africa. Aside from the two-seat trainer models it was also built in MB-326K single seat light ground attack fighter form.
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