Aermacchi MB.326 Advanced Trainer / Light Ground Attack Aircraft

Specifications

Year: 1962
Status: Active, Limited Service
Manufacturer(s): Aermacchi - Italy
Production: 761
Roles: Training;

Crew: 1
Length: 35.01 ft (10.67 m)
Width: 35.60 ft (10.85 m)
Height: 12.20 ft (3.72 m)
Weight (Empty): 6,535 lb (2,964 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 12,996 lb (5,895 kg)

Power: 1 x Rolls-Royce Viper 632-42 turbojet engine developing 4,000lb of thrust.

Speed: 553 mph (890 kph; 481 kts)
Ceiling: 41,010 feet (12,500 m; 7.77 miles)
Range: 677 miles (1,090 km; 589 nm)
Rate-of-Climb: 6,500 ft/min (1,981 m/min)

Operators: Italy; Argentina; Australia; Dubai; Ghana; South Africa; Tunisia; Zaire; Zambia

The Aermacchi MB.326 series of aircraft has become one of the most successful blends of operational trainer and light attack capabilities. Developed during the Cold War in 1957, the Aermacchi-produced two-seat trainer was already being designed with frontline light strike duty in mind. As the trainer went into production and service, the results were impressive enough to warrant the development of the single seat K model.

The MB.326K (or MB-326K) was a single-seat, single-engine derivative of the twin seat trainer brand. The removal of the instructor's seating position at rear allowed for increased stowage for more avionics systems and more fuel stores. The additional of twin 30mm DEFA cannons was also introduced with the K model to compliment the already existing and impressive 6-hardpoint configuration.

Finding some success in the export market, the system was also produced under license by Atlas for South Africa. Equally effective as a trainer or light strike aircraft, the Aermacchi MB.326 series made a name for itself in either role. It was succeeded by the upgraded Aermacchi MB.339 series of aircraft.

Incidentaly, the "B" prefix in the designation is derived from its designer - Doctor Ing Ermano Bazzochi.

Graphical image of an aircrat automatic cannon

Graphical image of an air-to-air missile weapon

Graphical image of a short-range air-to-air missile

Graphical image of an aircraft air-to-surface missile

Graphical image of aircraft aerial rockets

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Armament

STANDARD:
2 x 30mm internal cannons

OPTIONAL:
Maximum external ordnance load of up to 4,000lb of bombs, rockets and missiles. Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:

Drop Bombs
AS.12 wire-guided air-to-surface missiles
Matra R550 Magic air-to-air missiles
Unguided Rockets
Additional Cannon Pods
Reconnaissance Pods

Variants / Models

• MB.326 - Base Series Production Model Designation
• MB.326A - Armed Variant never ordered; six underwing hardpoints.
• MB.326B - Tunisian Export Model Designation
• MB.326D - Unarmed Variant purchased by Alitalia.
• MB.326E - Viper 11-powered variant for Italian purchase.
• MB.326F - Ghana Export Variant
• MB.326G - Fitted with more powerful Viper 20 Mk.540 powerplant; internal strengthening; increased weapons load.
• MB.326GC
• MB.326H - Australian Export Variant produced in-country by CAC; retired from service in 2001.
• MB.326K - Single-Seat Light Attack Aircraft; based on the MB.326K model with strengthened airframe and improved power from the Viper 20 powerplant; increased avionics equipment and fuel over the two-seat trainer variant; implementation of 2 x 30mm DEFA cannons.
• MB.326KD - Dubai Export Model Designation
• MB.326KB - Zaire Export Model Designation
• MB.326KG - Ghana Export Model Designation
• MB.326KM - South African Export Model Designation
• MB.326KT - Tunisian Export Model Designation
• Impala Mk 1 - Atlas-produced South African model.
• Impala Mk 2 - Atlas-produced South African model.
• MB.339 - Upgraded Successor of the MB.326 system series.
• EMB-326 "Xavante" - Embraer license-built MB.326GC model.
• MB.326L - Final two-seat variant production model.