The Frecce tricolori change aircraft: after more than 40 years, the M-346 arrives
Leonardo's announcement: the old aircraft had been in service since 1982
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The Frecce Tricolori are changing aircraft. Leonardo's M-346 jet will be the future aircraft of the national aerobatic patrol. It will take the place of the Mb-339 Aermacchi after more than 40 years.
Home-grown ex-Aermacchi
.The M-346 is an advanced trainer produced by Leonardo, the former Finmeccanica, but was born and developed in-house at Aermacchi, in Venegono Inferiore (Varese). At the end of 2002, the company then owned by the Foresio family was bought by Finmeccanica, which already had a stake. The design of the M-346 was at an advanced stage of development, the first prototype was presented six months later, on 7 June 2003, and the first flight took place the following year, on 15 July 2004.
Leonard's announcement
.The new Frecce tricolori aircraft was presented at Istrana (Treviso), on the return of the Frecce from the United States. The announcement that the aircraft has been chosen by the Air Force for the national aerobatic patrol was made by Leonardo. The aircraft has a new livery, created by Pininfarina designers.
Aerobatics patrol risked losing an aircraft
.The reasons for the change were not stated. According to industry sources, the reason is the antiquity of the aircraft currently used by the Arrows. The Mb-339s have not been produced for many years, there have been difficulties in finding spare parts, to the point that there would soon be a reduction of one aircraft in the full formation, from ten to nine jets.
The Mb-339 in service since 1982
The Aermacchi Mb-339 was adopted by the aerobatic patrol in 1982. The 'Pan' version of the M-346 will be built by Leonardo according to the requirements of the Air Force.
