Leonardo takes a further step forward in the development of the enhanced Block 20 standard of the M-346 lead-in trainer / light combat aircraft with the unveiling of the new cockpit featuring a large area display. The status of the development of the new full-scale human-machine interface (HMI) was officially presented during Military Flight Training 2025 in Italy (31 March-2 April).
Developed in the framework of the Block 20’s overall capability enhancement effort, officially launched at Farnborough Air Show in July 2024, the new cockpit’s main characteristics include a single 20×8 inch NVG-compatible full touch high resolution display, multiply-redundant architectural design for display, core electronics and power units, a multicore processor allowing significant computational power growth potential, latest certification standards and a significant rationalization of several control panels. The Block 20 standard cockpit will feature two large area displays, one per each seat, replacing the existing six multi-functional displays, plus a low profile head-up display. These will be combined with a new digital video and data recorder and a new augmented reality helmet mounted display.
The new HMI, designed with increased situational awareness/low crew workload principle in mind, reflects the latest and future layouts of sophisticated frontline combat air systems, delivering enhanced look & feel and immersive environment, and increased effectiveness and safety for advanced training purposes – including multi-asset cooperative training – as pilots transition to operational duties or to the next generation of air dominance for decades to come. Also, it allows to maximize the benefits from the M-346 multirole light combat variant in terms of intuitive and rapid mission systems, and sensor information access and management, weapon system management, greater all-weather tolerance, data gathering, analysis, exploitation and sharing scenarios increasingly requiring digital connectivity and interoperability.
The new cockpit, subject to further refinements, will be installed onto a M-346 Block 20 prototype by mid-2027, with its final design expected to be available on a production aircraft for a launch customer by the end of 2028.
The M-346 Block 20 will also benefit from new navigation, weapon management, flight management system, IFF – Identification of Friend or Foe – transponder. Specifically, for the M-346 F variant, further critical capability enhancements include an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar featuring fire control radar capability, integration of new weapons for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles, in addition to a built-in missile datalink.
The M-346 Block 20 standard leverages the inherent growth capability embedded into the M-346 design, as well as over ten years of proven in-service experience with leading air forces across geographies and is an integral part of the broader organizational digitalization roadmap initiative, fully consistent with Leonardo’s long-term strategy. As such, both training and fighter variants will benefit from these enhancements to deliver even greater capabilities to the market for a wide spectrum of applications, with significant margin for further developments in the future. The new Block 20 standard will not be limited to the platform itself, but rather to the entire system including the ground based training system and will be enabled by the widespread implementation of digitalization powered by AI. 2
The Ground Based Training System (GBTS) holistic approach to training (multimedia and classroom courses, flight/mission simulation, virtual and live/constructive training) will step up to the new standard via virtual reality support and AI applications. Moreover, stronger digitization will be a key enabler for more efficient technical support thanks to the implementation of virtual maintenance and a “connected fleet”, an extremely high performing infrastructure, which uses Advanced Data Analytics and High Performance Computing to enhance the Integrated Logistic Support services.
This latest milestone confirms Leonardo’s commitment to providing the most advanced solutions in a core area of expertise like training, as well as for affordable multirole combat capabilities.
With 19 worldwide users and over 130,000 flight hours logged in operational service with customers and through the unique training capabilities delivered by the International Flight Training School – IFTS in collaboration with the Italian Air Force, the M-346 has established itself as the most complete training system for fighter pilots and is meeting evolving needs for cost-effective combat operations and aerobatic duties. The latest advancements allow for its superior advantages and characteristics to evolve further, ideally positioning the M-346 as the aircraft of choice in its category for the emerging and demanding requirements of European and non-European operators.
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