M-311
The M-311 is the new Alenia Aermacchi solution for the basic-advanced fast jet phase of the pilot training syllabus. Within the Alenia Aermacchi trainer range, the M-311 provides the most cost effective overall training solution for future military pilots. The M-311 offers a significant reduction in acquisition and life-cycle costs, bringing them to a level similar to that of the high power turboprops. These turboprops are in the same weight class and are equipped with similar systems, entailing similar maintenance and operating costs, but which much more limited performance and teaching effectiveness.
The M-311 avionics demonstrator made its first flight on 1 June 2005 as a completely redesigned evolution of the previous SIAI S-211, with an all-new avionics suite, new Human-Machine Interface, revised aerodynamics, strengthened airframe, more powerful engine and new maintenance conceptIts turbofan engine combines high performance with low fuel consumption and low noise. The all-new M-311 aircraft, now under construction, will bring further structural, maintenance and ergonomics improvements.
The M-311 is designed for a two-level maintenance concept: Organisation and Intermediate. Enhancement to aircraft maintainability comes from completely revised accessibility of the systems, themselves new or significantly improved, and the built-in Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) providing the airframe, engine and systems monitoring required to ease maintenance and assess residual life. The introduction of pressure refuelling and of an On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) brings significant reductions in manpower required for maintenance. This allows very short turn-around-time, which offers the potential to generate more sorties per day, making the aircraft even more affordable.
The generally refined aerodynamic configuration introduces new wing tips and ventral fuselage fins. Strengthened structures and landing gear will allow fatigue life extension to 15,000 flight hours and the maximum manoeuvre load factors are of +7 / -3.5 g at 3,200kg clean take-off weight. The high by-pass ratio turbofan engine (Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C) provides 1.447 kg (3,190 lb) of takeoff and maximum continuous thrust, a 30% increase on the S-211.
The aircraft avionics includes a glass-cockpit with three LCD MFDs 5'' x 7'' for both front and rear cockpit, HOTAS control, two mission computers for redundancy, embedded GPS/ Inertial Platform, a HUD in the front cockpit and a rear cockpit repeater. All six MFDs are identical. The new basic-advanced trainer will sport the embedded simulation introduced in the Alenia Aermacchi advanced trainers, the MB-339CD and the M-346, as well as a Stores Management System and a Digital Moving Map.
TECHNICAL DATA
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| span | 8.47 m | 27.78 ft |
| length | 9.85 m | 32.32 ft |
| height | 3.74 m | 12.27 ft |
| wing area | 12.60 sqm | 135.6 sqft |
| | ||
| Weights | ||
| empty | 2300 kg | 5,070 lb |
| Max takeoff (trainer) | 3200 kg | 7,055 lb |
| Max weapon load | 1000 kg | 2,205 lb |
| Maximum takeoff | 4100 kg | 9,040 lb |
| Power Plant | ||
| Pratt & Whitney Canada | JT15D-5C | |
| Max Thrust, SLS (Takeoff and MCP) | 1.447 kg | 3,190 lb |
| Internal fuel (usable) | 696 kg | 1,535 lb |
| Performance (clean, ISA) | ||
| Max level speed (SL/20,000 ft) | 380 / 400 KTAS | |
| Limit speed | 430 KCAS / 0.80 Mach | |
| Stall speed (landing, 20% fuel) | 84 KCAS | |
| Rate of climb (SL) | 4,720 ft/min | |
| Service ceiling | 40,000 ft | |
| Ferry range Clean/2 Ext. tanks (10% reserve) | 740 / 960 nm | |
| Max sustained Load Factor (SL, 50% fuel) | 3.9 g | |
| Sustained load factor, 360 kts (SL, 50% fuel) | 2.3 g | |
| Takeoff ground run (S.L.) | 450 m | 1,475 ft |
| Landing ground roll (S.L., 20% internal fuel) | 460 m | 1,510 ft |
| Limit Load factor | +7 / - 3.5 g |