Frecce to re-equip with the M-346!

[boff180]

This is great news! I had to check it wasn't the 1st April!

The decision to replace the MB-339s of the Frecce with the M-345 has been reversed due to the type being found unsuitable.
The display team will now be equipped with the far more powerful M-346 Master!

https://theaviationist.com/2024/09/12/n ... he-frecce/

Andy

[Wrexham Mackem]

Oh wow that is good news!

[CWS]

Cracking news !! Any idea when it could in to play ? I had a Quick Look at the article but couldn’t see anything, I am currently out so it might be there !! Might have missed it

[p2philip]

Was really hoping for that, awesome. Just saw the RSV solo of the type in Zeltweg, a powerful small jet. Imagine 10 of these flying the Frecce routine will be quite a sight and sound.

[Tom105]

That's going to sounds so good!

[JMC]

Excellent news.

The M-345 makes even the Casa C-101 of Patrulla Aguila look and sound like a F-15 in comparison.

The new livery looks fresh too!

Phew.

This scheme would’ve looked a lot better though: https://flightsim.to/file/42587/frecce- ... iafoxtecho

[gamecock]

The aircrew I spoke to at Lossie last week said 'in about a year'.

[Chrisse]

Well, I did find it quite striking the M345 was not visible at all last year at Pratica di Mare. Now we know why.

[capercaillie]

Considering the current active fleet of M-346, just eighteen, is ridiculously small compared to the acquistion of MB-339s (100+) when they converted to those, to acquire another 12/13 jets purely for the display team in these very tight budget for air forces times seems lavish in the extreme.

I'm very surprised.

[Tommy]

A welcome surprise indeed, and I think that scheme is quite smart, too!

[CWS]

A welcome surprise indeed, and I think that scheme is quite smart, too!

Yep very smart !! Looks great

[Skylinerworld]

Question is, is the M345 program still pushing ahead or...? I can't find any info on any orders for it apart from the Italians?

[Canberra TT.18]

Question is, is the M345 program still pushing ahead or...? I can't find any info on any orders for it apart from the Italians?

The Italians are the sole country as fas as I know that opt for a jet aircraft in fase 2-3 of the pilot training. Almost the 'entire' world switching to turboprops.
And the problem with the S211 family has always been it is underpowered. So that seems still a problem.with the M345/T-345.

Most probably the number of T-345/M345 will be cut as no aircraft for the Freece are needed. The program would see some 45 ordered. This could be cut by at least 12-15. Some 10 are delivered so far according to Scramble-database.

[Skylinerworld]

Question is, is the M345 program still pushing ahead or...? I can't find any info on any orders for it apart from the Italians?

The Italians are the sole country as fas as I know that opt for a jet aircraft in fase 2-3 of the pilot training. Almost the 'entire' world switching to turboprops.
And the problem with the S211 family has always been it is underpowered. So that seems still a problem.with the M345/T-345.

Most probably the number of T-345/M345 will be cut as no aircraft for the Freece are needed. The program would see some 45 ordered. This could be cut by at least 12-15. Some 10 are delivered so far according to Scramble-database.

Will be interesting to see what happens going forward then, many thanks for the info!

[Aquarious]

Hawks to be replaced by an aerobatic kite team? At least the Italians have a plan,I only wish that that we could say the same for the RAF and MoD in this broken country.How long before RAFAT will be grounded due to equipment failures and/or safety fears.

[Col. Chibani]

I had seen the M-345 in Frecce guise @Farnborough 2014:

DSC_6364 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

DSC_1540 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

It even made a flypast with a M-346!
DSC_6336 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

DSC_6351 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

[rdchawk]

Does look good in the freece colours

[Canberra TT.18]

Question is, is the M345 program still pushing ahead or...? I can't find any info on any orders for it apart from the Italians?

The Italians are the sole country as fas as I know that opt for a jet aircraft in fase 2-3 of the pilot training. Almost the 'entire' world switching to turboprops.
And the problem with the S211 family has always been it is underpowered. So that seems still a problem.with the M345/T-345.

Most probably the number of T-345/M345 will be cut as no aircraft for the Freece are needed. The program would see some 45 ordered. This could be cut by at least 12-15. Some 10 are delivered so far according to Scramble-database.

To answer my self in the defence plans dpp 2024-2026.

https://t.co/09x7YAe9Bx

20 additional T-346A will be ordered 15 for Frecce and 5 for the Training School.
No mentioning of changes in the T-345 order/program.

[jwarnerxh558]

Considering the current active fleet of M-346, just eighteen, is ridiculously small compared to the acquistion of MB-339s (100+) when they converted to those, to acquire another 12/13 jets purely for the display team in these very tight budget for air forces times seems lavish in the extreme.

I'm very surprised.

it could be a very clever sales pitch? the 346 already has a few export customers, a couple of big tours could really bolster sales in a similar way to the South Koreans with the T-50