Textron Aviation Defense and Leonardo have partnered to pitch the Beechcraft M-346N aircraft for the US Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) programme.
The US Navy has issued multiple Requests for Information (RFIs) in anticipation of a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new aircraft to be procured under the programme.
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The proposed Beechcraft M-346N is part of a comprehensive training system derived from the original M-346 aircraft developed by Leonardo.
Globally, more than 100 units of the Leonardo M-346 are already serving rigorous pilot training regimens for air forces equipped with 4th and 5th generation fighter jets, including those at Italy’s International Flight Training School (IFTS).
The twin-engine M-346N is equipped with advanced digital flight controls and avionics, including a fly-by-wire system with fourfold redundancy.
The cockpit is outfitted with advanced interfaces such as a head-up display, large area display, HOTAS controls, and safety innovations like the Auto-GCAS.
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By GlobalDataTextron Aviation Defense president and CEO Travis Tyler 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.”
Powered by dual Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, the M-346N can achieve speeds exceeding 590 knots and can operate at altitudes up to 45,000ft.
The aircraft also incorporates the Embedded Training System avionics suite that facilitates basic to advanced tactical training through emulation of sensors and weaponry, as well as engagement with Computer Generated Forces, said Textron.
The training experience is enhanced by an LVC training architecture that synchronises in-flight aircraft (Live), simulation systems (Virtual), and computer-generated allies and adversaries (Constructive), allowing real-time interaction among students.
Tyler added: “The aircraft can be the cornerstone for the Navy’s future of undergraduate jet training, combining operationally-proven performance with cutting-edge technologies.”
According to UJTS SOW release and RFI issued in June, the US Navy and Marine Corps require jet training capabilities to deliver intermediate and advanced training for their undergraduate aviators and flight officers.
The existing T-45 combined multi-service pilot training system, which currently fulfils the intermediate and advanced jet training syllabus of the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), is expected to be replaced through re-capitalisation.
The UJTS programme is driven by two primary objectives: achieving initial operational capability (IOC) swiftly and ensuring high-quality training.
With an expedited acquisition schedule, the programme aims to issue a RFP by December 2025 and plans to award a contract in January 2027.
This RFP will seek services for engineering, manufacturing, and development of the UJTS solution, in addition to procuring the initial batch of aircraft under low-rate initial production and a limited number of ground-based training systems.
