24 MAY, 2017 SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM BY:
ARIE EGOZI TEL AVIV
The Israeli air force is upgrading the
capabilities of its Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainers, to equip the
"Lavi" with inert training bombs and external fuel tanks.
"We work closely with the manufacturer,
and this may lead to offering the same upgrades to other customers," says
the commander of the air force's flight test centre, identified only as Lt Col
Shlomy. The unit is tasked with overseeing the modifications, as well as
opening the trainer's full flight envelope, to match the service's operational
requirements.
Shlomy says that based on Israel's experience
gained with the aircraft so far, advanced software blocks have also been
installed.
"We have accumulated the largest number
of flight hours on the type, and the experience gained allows us to make the
changes this aircraft has made to our pilot training process even bigger,"
he says.
The last of 30 M-346 trainers purchased by
Israel landed at Hazerim air base in July 2016. Prior to its introduction,
Israel's fighter pilots underwent the advanced stages of training using
Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs.
Shlomy says upgrades to the type will enable
the air force to further streamline the training process. Its concept of
operations for the type already involves emulating the use of radar and
precision-guided weapons, and linking simulators to conduct "team
flying" on the ground.
Original post: flightglobal.com
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