Aermacchi MB.339

Advanced Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft [ 1978 ]

The Aermacchi MB.339 series replaced the Aermacchi MB.326 and Fiat G.91T trainers and light strike aircraft.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/29/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Low forward left side view of an Aermacchi MB.339 taking off

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

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The Aermacchi MB.339 was the successor to the Aermacchi MB.326 in the advanced trainer and light strike role. This twin-seat trainer proved equally adept at its given roles and also went on to replace the aged Fiat G.91T trainer and close-support aircraft in service with the Italian Air Force. As with the MB.326, the newer MB.339 saw moderate export success around the globe with Australia, Argentina, Eritrea, Ghana, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru and the UAE. After recording its first flight as a prototype (two completed as "MB.339X") on August 12th, 1976, the MB.339 was formally introduced in 1979 with production ongoing as of this writing (2012). At least 213 have been produced to date.

Compared to the MB.326 before it, the MB.339 featured an all-new redesigned nose assembly. The twin-seat arrangement was also modified to extend the view of the rear-seat instructor's/co-pilot's position while the single Piaggio (Rolls-Royce) Viper Mk 621 turbojet powerplant increased performance. Wingtip tanks were enlarged but were more or less retained from the earlier MB.326 models as were the 6 x external underwing hardpoints and 2 x DEFA 30mm internal cannons.

Overall design was highly conventional for an aircraft of this class. This included a short nose cone, low-set straight wing assemblies and a traditional single-fin rudder and applicable tailplanes. The undercarriage was of the three-wheeled tricycle arrangement, fully retractable. An in-flight refueling probe was offset to the right side of the cockpit to help extend the MB.339's operational range to an extent.

The MB.339A model series was the most numerous production model (107 examples across three production batches) while the "C" model added further improvements including an uprated engine, onboard laser rangefinder (in the nose) and provision for guided/homing missile firing. The "CD" model benefitted more with HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick), HUDs (Head-Up Display) and three LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens. The MB.339K and MB.339 T-Bird II were proposed variants - the former intended as a single-seat attack plane and the latter as a Lockheed proposal to the US JPATS competition.

The MB.339 has since proven an effective trainer and light strike aircraft. Eritrea has utilized its MB.339s in anger against neighboring Ethiopia in a February 1999 attack on an Ethiopian Army fuel depot at Adigrat.

Argentina, Malaysia, New Zealand and the UAE no longer operate their MB.339s.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1978

Origin

Italy

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

2

Production

213
UNITS

Aermacchi - Italy

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

Australia; Argentina; Eritrea; Ghana; Italy; Malaysia; Nigeria; Peru; United Arab Emirates

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).

Length

36.9 ft
(11.24 m)

Width/Span

36.8 ft
(11.22 m)

Height

13.1 ft
(3.99 m)

Empty Wgt

6,889 lb
(3,125 kg)

MTOW

13,999 lb
(6,350 kg)

Wgt Diff

+7,110 lb
(+3,225 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Aermacchi MB.339K production variant)

Installed: 1 x Piaggio (Rolls-Royce) Viper 680-43 turbojet engine developing 4,450lb of thrust.

Max Speed

506 mph
(815 kph | 440 kts)

Ceiling

46,719 ft
(14,240 m | 9 mi)

Range

231 mi
(371 km | 687 nm)

Rate-of-Climb

6,595 ft/min
(2,010 m/min)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Aermacchi MB.339K production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

STANDARD:
2 x 30mm internal cannons

OPTIONAL:
External hardpoints for mission-specific ordnance may include the following:

Conventional Drop Bombs
Unguided Rocket Pods
Cannon Pods
Matre anti-ship missiles
Magic air-to-air missiles
Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
Maverick air-to-ground missiles
Vinten Reconnaissance Pod

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon

Graphical image of an aircraft cannon pod

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 rocket pod

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Graphical image of an aircraft anti-ship missile

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 6

MB.339A - Base Two-Seat Model

MB.339C - Improved MB.339 Light Attack Lead-In Functionality; advanced navigation and targeting capabilities; uprated powerplant; laser range finder in elongated nose cone; increased wing tip fuel tanks.

MB.339CD - Powered by the Viper 632; digital cockpit with three LCD displays; HUD and HOTAS controls.

MB.339CE - Eritrean Export Model based on the MB.339CD.

MB.339FD - Export Production Model fitted with Viper 680 powerplant with MB.339CD improvements.

MB.339K "Veltro 2" - Prototype Single-Seat Variant.

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