Leonardo DRS T-100 Integrated Training System

Leonardo DRS T-100 Integrated Training System

The Leonardo T-100 Integrated Training System is a military twin-engine trainer aircraft variant of the M-346 Master jet trainer.[1] Italian aircraft manufacturer Leonardo proposed the T-100 for the United States Air Force Advanced Pilot Training System or T-X program.[2] Leonardo and its partner subsidiary, Leonardo DRS, intend to build a new plant at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama to manufacture the aircraft if the bid succeeds.[3]

T-X program

The United States Air Force T-X program is a $16.3 billion project to replace the Northrop T-38C fleet with 350 new aircraft and training systems.[1] There are multiple teams bidding in the competition.[4]

Boeing and Saab are designing a new aircraft. [4] Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries are offering a modified T-50A.[4] Leonardo DRS is submitting the T-100.[4] Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) are proposing a new design named the Freedom Trainer. [5]

The United States Air Force says the contract will be awarded sometime in 2017.[6]

Development

Raytheon and Leonardo entered the T-X bid together, but on January 25, 2017, Raytheon announced their withdrawal from the competition.[7] Raytheon said they were "unable to reach a business agreement that [was] in the best interest of the US Air Force."[8] On February 8, 2017, Leonardo named its U.S. subsidiary, Leonardo DRS, as the prime contractor.[9]

On March 30, 2017, Leonardo named Moton Field in Macon County, Alabama as the production site for the new U.S. Air Force jet fighter trainer if the bid succeeds. Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, said that this project would be the biggest economic boost in Macon County history. [10]

Design

T-100 Mockup at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow

Honeywell Aerospace manufactures the aircraft’s twin F124 turbofan propulsion engines.[11] Honeywell will build the engines at the Honeywell plant in Phoenix, Arizona.[9] Tampa, Florida-based CAE USA is responsible for the ground-based training system.[2] Alenia Aermacchi will offer the airplane platform. [12]

The aircraft has an embedded tactical training system that provides training for pilots with mission scenarios.[7] The T-100 has retractable tricycle landing gear. [12] A fly-by-wire flight control system monitors flight control surfaces automatically by electronic interface. [12] The T-100 is able to perform air refueling, air-to-air intercepts, sustained high-g maneuvers, night vision imaging system operations, and data link operations. [12]

The jet can reach a maximum level speed of 590 knots true airspeed (KTAS) and a stall speed of 95 KTAS. When flying at an altitude of 45,000 feet, the jet can operate over a range of 1,080nm. [12] It can climb at a rate of 22,000 feet per minute and fly up to a ceiling of 45,000 feet. [12]

The aircraft is 37.7 feet long, 16.1 feet high and a weight of 11,362 lbs. It can hold weapons weighing up to 6,610 lbs. [12]

Variants

M-346 Master Advanced Jet Trainer
Designation for the Fighter Trainer variant.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 Trimble, Stephen (February 8, 2017). "Leonado returns to T-X competition alone". FlightGlobal. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Kington, Tom and Valerie Insinna (February 8, 2017). "Leonardo goes it alone in T-X trainer bid". DefenseNews. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  3. ↑ Seligman, Lara (March 30, 2017). "Leonardo Would Build T-100 At New Alabama Site". Aviation Week. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Klimas, Jacqueline (February 8, 2017). "Leonardo enters solo T-X bid following break with Raytheon". Washington Examiner. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  5. ↑ Machi, Vivienne (March 30, 2017). "Leonardo to Build Air Force T-X Jet Trainer in Tuskegee, Alabama (UPDATED)". Aviation Week. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  6. ↑ Daigle, Lisa (February 9, 2017). "Leonardo DRS rejoins U.S. Air Force T-X trainer jet competition". Military Embedded Systems. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Szondy, David (February 8, 2017). "Leonardo flies solo in US Air Force training fighter bid". New Atlas. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  8. ↑ Maass, Ryan (January 25, 2017). "Raytheon-Leonardo team withdraws from T-X competition". UPI. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Pawlyk, Oriana (February 8, 2017). "Leonardo Rejoins Air Force T-X Bidding Without Raytheon". Dod Buzz. Retrieved Feb 27, 2017.
  10. ↑ Carson, Mike (March 30, 2017). "Tuskegee site in competition for Air Force jet trainer production". Alabama Media Group. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  11. ↑ Maundrill, Beth (February 8, 2017). "Leonardo T-100 going it alone". Shephard Media. Retrieved Feb 28, 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "T-100 Integrated Training System (ITS), United States of America". Airforce Technology. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  13. ↑ Carey, Bill (February 13, 2017). "Leonardo Stays in the Running for U.S. Air Force T-X Program". AIN Online. Retrieved Feb 28, 2017.
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