By Francesco Militello Mirto – EmmeReports
Textron Aviation Defense LLC announced that, if awarded the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program contract by the U.S. Navy, it will assemble the Beechcraft M-346N at its east campus in Wichita, Kansas — the historic home of the Beechcraft brand for nearly a century. The announcement reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering the most advanced, fully integrated jet training system for the U.S. Navy.
The Beechcraft M-346N is the centerpiece of a low-risk, operationally proven integrated training system featuring Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) capabilities optimized for advanced naval training.
With more than 100 M-346 aircraft produced by Leonardo and over a decade of experience training aviators for fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, the M-346N offers a reliable, high-performance solution to meet the Navy’s next-generation training requirements.
The U.S. Navy has issued several Requests for Information (RFIs) ahead of an anticipated Request for Proposals (RFP) for the UJTS program. Textron Aviation Defense expects the Navy to announce the contract award in January 2027 and believes it is well-positioned to support the Navy’s objective of accelerating Initial Operational Capability (IOC).
The Beechcraft M-346N is a twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft equipped with fully digital flight controls and avionics. It features a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy, a Head-Up Display (HUD) and Large Area Display (LAD) in each cockpit, and hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. Innovative safety systems include the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS).
Powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, the M-346N delivers a maximum cruise speed exceeding 590 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. Its advanced aerodynamic design ensures exceptional maneuverability and energy management, while the elevated rear cockpit provides instructors with outstanding visibility throughout all phases of flight.
Italian pilots flying the T-346 consider it to be, at present, the best trainer aircraft on the international stage, as it most closely resembles fourth- and fifth-generation operational fighters.
The T-346, in addition to being competitive in terms of performance (it is supersonic and can reach operational altitudes comparable to those of front-line fighters), is capable—through an advanced integrated system—of replicating the equipment used by the most modern tactical aircraft, such as the Radar, Targeting Pod, and Data Link, as well as medium- and short-range Air-to-Air weapons and precision Laser-guided Air-to-Ground munitions.
Its flight characteristics combine the responsiveness and precision of a fighter aircraft with the reliability and ease of handling typical of a trainer.
Among the key strengths that define not only the aircraft but the entire T-346 Integrated Training System (ITS)—making it one of the most innovative in the world—is its comprehensive integration with a Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) and associated Integrated Logistic Support (ILS).
Through the ITS, student pilots learn basic onboard systems and procedures via an academic training system consisting of theoretical and procedural lessons. At the next level, students transition to a basic simulator featuring a cockpit and a 180° visual display, where they apply the knowledge acquired, learn to fly, manage emergencies, and perform more advanced training missions.
The pinnacle of the simulation architecture is the Full Mission Simulator (FMS), which faithfully reproduces the aircraft cockpit and supports all the functions of the actual aircraft.
It is a highly advanced technological system. Thanks to the use of LVC (Live Virtual Constructive) technology, it can merge real aircraft (Live), simulator-flown aircraft (Virtual), and computer-generated entities (Constructive) into a single, shared training scenario—providing truly comprehensive training.
Today’s front-line and next-generation fighter pilots must not only master high-performance jets but also develop an additional skill set: managing weapon systems dominated by cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art avionics, along with sensors and munitions, in increasingly complex and high-threat environments.
The T-346, with its ability to replicate systems such as Radar, Data Link, Air-to-Air weapons (both medium- and short-range), and precision Air-to-Ground ordnance, is an exceptional tool for training in the “aggressor” role.
Moreover, the capability to modify flight characteristics through pilot-selectable control modes makes it a unique Companion Trainer for operational platforms.
Di Francesco Militello Mirto – EmmeReports