Leonardo (Aermacchi) M346 Master
In the 1990 Yakovlev and Aermacchi jointly developed a jet trainer slash light fighter aircraft. In the end both companies went their own way, each taking the design further. Aermacchi (now known as Leonardo) made the M346 Master of it, Yakovlev the Yak-130.
The M346 has a mid-wing configuration. These wings have a swept leading edge, but a straight trailing edge. The leading edges have extensions until the front seat. Where they connect to the wings, the M346 has small fins, pointing up like winglets.
[ Winglets . 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
Winglets are vertical wingtip extensions that increase the fuel efficiency and cruising range of an airplane. Winglets are tiny that are used to lessen the aerodynamic drag associated with vortices that form at the wingtips while an airplane flies through the air. The other chief advantage of a winglet system is the reduction in the overall fuel usage, which results in reduced CO2 emissions. Winglet systems can be fitted on a wide array of aircrafts, including business jets, military, and commercial aircrafts.
Factors such as increase in production and deliveries of commercial aircraft and increase in demand for environment-friendly and fuel-efficient aircraft are anticipated to boost the growth of the global winglet market during the forecast period. However, challenges associated with the installation time, higher weight, and high maintenance costs are expected to hinder the growth of the global winglet market during the forecast period.
The winglet market is segmented on the basis of aircraft type, end use, winglet type, fit, and region. By aircraft type, the market is further segmented into narrow body aircraft, wide body aircraft, regional jet aircraft, and others. By end use, the market is classified into civil aircraft, military aircraft, and commercial & cargo aircraft. On the basis of winglet type, it is divided into sharklets, split scimitar winglets, wingtip fences, and others. By fit, it is segmented into line fit and retrofit. By region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 $𝟐.𝟒 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 $𝟒.𝟕 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟏, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐑 𝐨𝐟 𝟕.𝟒% 𝐟𝐫 from 2022 to 2031.
Key Market Players -#SEKISUI Aerospace GKN Aerospace composites one RUAG International Holding AG Winglet Technology, LLC FACC AG Airbus
#Tamarack Aerospace Group, Inc. Kaman Corporation BLR Aerospace, Boeing Triumph Group Aviation Partners, Inc. HYUNE AERO-SPECIALTY INC Clean Aviation Korean Air Aerospace Division Daher.]
M346
The student and instructor sit behind each other, under a canopy that opens as a single piece, sideways. The nose is pointed. The air intakes are just behind the canopy, below wing leading edge extensions. They are rectangular of shape when seen from the front, and at a slight angle compared to the air flow when look at from the side (like on the T-4).
The air flow channels are directly attached to the wings, without space in between. The exhausts are placed below the tall vertical stabiliser with a hooked transition. They are without externally visible pipes. The horizontal stabilisers have a slight anhedral. At the base of the vertical stabiliser is a small air inlet. Finally, the landing gear has all single wheels, with the nose gear retracting rearward. The nose gear has long doors.
The wing shape with leading edge extensions and straight trailing edge, best visible from this angle, is one of the best recognition points of the M346.
Like on the Kawasaki T-4 the air intakes are rectangular and at a slight angle with regard to the air flow. Note the typical fin at the junction of the wing leading edge extension and wings themselves.
M346
This is the basic training version, simply designated M346. In Italian service it is known as T-346A though. It was also offered to the USAF as a replacement for the T-38. This version was named T‑100.
M346B is a version for the Hellenic air force that has Israeli avionics.
M346FA, M346FT & M346LFFA
Versions capable of carrying weapons under the wings are designated M346FA (Fighter Attack) and M346FT (Fighter Trainer). The former is a dedicated fighter, while the latter can switch roles. They have evolved into the M346LFFA, Light Fighter Family of Aircraft. The latter has a hardpoint at each wing tip as well.
The M346FA has hard points under the wings to store a range of weapons.
Confusion possible with
Yakovlev Yak-130
yak 130
Originating from the same design, it is logical that the M346 and Yak-130 look very much the same. The easiest difference to spot is the landing gear and its doors. The Yak has a trailing link gear, while the M346 has straight legs. Also the nose gear doors are smaller on the Yak and the main gear doors are on the outside when extended. Additionally, the Yak has no fins/strakes on top of the wing, at the leading edge extension, no inlet at the base of the vertical fin and the attachment of exhaust to the rear fuselage is with a curved transition.
Hongdu L-15
yak 130
The Chinese looked at Yakovlev for support in developing a new advanced jet trainer. Hence it is no surpise that it is a Yak-130 look-a-like. The main differences compared to the M346 and Yak-130 are the exhausts that extend beyond the tail, and the bigger main landing gear doors. (photo: Xu Zheng/WikiMedia)
Kawasaki T-4
kawasaki t 4
The M346 and T-4 both have a realitively large vertical stabiliser and similar air intakes. The T-4 has no leading edge extensions of the wings, but has visible exhaust pipes.
Alpha Jet
alpha jet
The main difference between the Alpha Jet and M346 is the space between the wings and the engine nacelles. Also the air intakes of the Alpha Jet are semi circular, and the canopy of the student and instructor open separately.
PZL I-22 Iryda
pzl m 96
Like on the Alpha Jet above, the Iryda has space between the wings and engine nacelles. Additionally, the air intakes of the I‑22 are closer to the wing leading edge.
KAI T-50
su 25k
While this Korean jet has only one engine, which should be enough to avoid confusion, the large tail, lead edge root extensions and air intakes could make you doubt. But then a look at the gear and location of exhaust should take these doubts away.
Sukhoi Su-25
su 25k
In particular the two-seat variant of the Su‑25 is similar to the M346FA, but most versions have a single seat. Also notable are the nearly straight wings and more triangular shaped vertical stabiliser.
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