Sat, Aug 02, 2025
Company Teams With Leonardo, Says Training System Ready Now
Textron Aviation Defense announced it’s jumping into the game early by submitting its Beechcraft M-346N twinjet as a “ready now” solution for the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System program. The Navy has already released several RFIs (Requests for Information) related to its impending RFPs, (Requests for Proposals) for a new aircraft for the program.
TAD entered into a collaborative effort to meet the Navy’s requirements for the new trainer. The M-346N is part of a known and proven integrated training system based on Leonardo’s original M-346 aircraft. More than 100 of the M-346 aircraft are already deployed for training 4th and 5th generation air forces globally, including Italy’s well-known International Flight Training School.
Travis Tyler, President and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense said, “With our heritage deeply rooted in the strength and reliability of American manufacturing, the Beechcraft M-346N joins a proud lineup of aircraft built on 95 years of aviation excellence. The aircraft can be the cornerstone for the Navy’s future of undergraduate jet training, combining operationally-proven performance with cutting-edge technologies.”
The Beech M-346N is a twin-engine, tandem-seat jet with fully digital controls and avionics. The fly-by-wire control system is quadruple redundant with a cutting-edge human-machine interface head-up display and large area display in each cockpit.
The aircraft is powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines that deliver a max cruise speed of over 590 kts and a service ceiling of 45,000 ft.
The M-346N has an advanced aerodynamic design with an elevated rear cockpit for greater instructor visibility in all phases of flight. The trainer is capable of both basic instruction and high-performance for ground and carrier-based fighter ops.
The integrated training system has a full range of ground-based training devices including simulators, computer training devices, mission planning and management tools, and a carrier-based Live Virtual Constructive environment.
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