The T-100 Integrated Air Training System to be built in USA

Raytheon plans to construct a new facility in Meridian, MI/USA to build the T-100 Integrated Air Training System, if the US Air Force (USAF) approves the company’s proposal for the Advanced Pilot Training programme. The Mississippi site would be a Final Assembly and Check-Out facility.

Raytheon has manufactured products in Mississippi for more than three decades. The company manufactures Active Electronically Scanned Array radars at its facility in the city of Forest.

The T-100 Integrated Air Training System is a comprehensive, next-generation training solution customised to meet and exceed the USAF’s mission requirements. Based on the Leonardo-Finmeccanica (ex-Aermacchi) M-346, it combines cutting–edge, ground-based simulators with computerised classroom training to prepare the next generation of pilots. Leonardo-Finmeccanica, CAE USA, and Honeywell Aerospace have partnered with Raytheon to offer the T-100 to the USAF.

The T-100 offers dynamic kinetic performance, while also delivering an embedded, tactical training system that immerses pilots in realistic mission scenarios. The T-100 is an advanced variant of the M-346 currently operated by Israel, Italy, Singapore, and ready to enter in service with Poland shortly.

The M-346 is one of the most advanced trainer aircraft available on the market today and the only one specifically designed to prepare pilots for high performance new generation aircraft.

The M-346 entered service in 2013 with both the Italian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force. It is also in service in Israel since 2014. Poland, which signed a contract for eight aircraft in February 2014, will have received the first aircraft this year.

Thanks to its Helmet Mounted Display, vocal control inputs, in-flight refuelling probe and pylons for up to 3,000kg of external loads, the M-346 can carry out a complete tactical training syllabus. Optional electronic warfare and data link systems, radar signature reduction kits or multi-mode radar allow the M-346 to also be employed in real operations, with excellent levels of effectiveness and survival.

The M-346 is the keystone of an Integrated Training System that includes a complete Ground Based Training System (GBTS), comprising academics , simulators, mission support system and computer-based training management system. In order to maximise aircraft availability and mission generation, Leonardo’s Aircraft Division has developed and offers a dedicated Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) package.

For more information please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #12/2016, available at the show on booth #2729; and frequently check back for more NEWS FROM THE FLOOR.