Can M-346FA replace Su-22?

M-346 Master is used for training military pilots in Poland, Italy, Israel, and Singapore. It is an advanced training plane (Lead-In Fighter Training, LIFT) for teaching procedures and skills necessary for combat operations on military planes. In the Polish Air Force, it is used to train future F-16 C/D Block 52+ pilots.

According to Leonardo’s assurances, the Master’s strike variant, M-346 FA (Fighter Attack), can be a light combat plane. That construction is supposed to be a more economical alternative for supersonic attack aircraft. It’s supposed to prove itself in performing multiple tasks, supporting more expensive multi-purpose fighters.

M-346 FA is supposed to help modernize the Polish combat aircraft fleet without seriously impacting the national defense budget. While the Master’s combat variant isn’t a full-scale supersonic attack aircraft, it is expected to prove itself in a number of tasks.

M-346 FA is developed for realization of reconnaissance tasks, digitally aided close air support (DACAS), and limited strikes against air and surface targets, supporting line combat aircrafts.

In Poland, thanks to its integration with F-16 C/D and F-35 A systems, M-346 FA could take over some of their tasks, which should cut down the operational expenses. According to Leonardo’s declarations naming it a successor to Su-22, M-346 FA could also provide air support to the Polish Army. Because of its interoperability with NATO systems it could also be used to support joint allied missions.

During the seminar, Leonardo’s representatives assured of the company’s intent to harness the Polish industry into the development of the Polish variant of M-346 FA, stressing its numerous shared qualities with the M-346 Bielik advanced training plane already used by the Polish Air Force. Similarity between the two planes would help unification of support and servicing processes, as well as quick transfer of pilots between training and combat versions.

Marco Lupo, CEO of Leonardo Poland, said :

Leonardo attaches great importance to its engagement in Poland. Leonard Poland was created in January 2019, based in Warsaw, and is an active participant in the Polish security and defense industry, cooperating with local businesses,” said Marco Lupo, CEO of Leonardo Poland. “This has been strengthened with Leonardo’s recognition of Poland as a home market, as is the case with the United Kingdom and the United States, where Leonardo also makes important defense investments. Leonardo perfectly understands the stipulations of the Polish side when it comes to the offset offers, technology transfers and know-how. Therefore, in the modernization programs for the Polish Armed Forces, we offer a number of benefits and active cooperation with Polish industry and scientific and research institutions. The M346FA fighter jet in the Polish configuration is part of this proposal

During the seminar, Leonardo’s representatives emphasized low operational costs of M-346 FA. Digital control system Fly-By-Wire, working in Care-Free mode, prevents exceeding operational limitations derived from the design of wings and engines, which is a big help to pilots and the technicians in regard to costs of exploitation and servicing. M-346 FA parameters were optimized for subsonic flights with up to 0.9 Ma, which are the most suitable for attacking ground targets, avoiding rapid wear of the engines.

The producer also assures that the operational costs of the Polish combat version could be reduced thanks to economy of scale. The training M-346 AJT delivered to the Polish Air Forces will be accompanied by transfers of technology and cooperation with Military Aviation Works WZL-1 regarding their servicing. That support could easily cover the new planes in combat version, and the industrial collaboration could be expanded, including development of the Polish version of M-346 FA.

Technical support is also made easier by HUMS and S-HUMS diagnostic systems, which serve to monitor and accumulate data regarding operation and condition of the plane’s gear and structure. Ground support system allows for quick estimation of the state of the systems, shortening time needed to detect and solve problems, and performing planned and unplanned servicing tasks.

Equipment and armament of the M-346 FA plane was optimized for the modern battlefield and tasks performed within NATO operations. Leonard Griffo-M346 multiband radar with identification friend or foe (IFF) system has 29 modes of work, seven modes to support air-to-air missions, thirteen to support air-to-surface operations, six for close air engagements, and three for navigation. The radar can detect, track, and seek any types of targets, above and below the flight pitch, at any altitude. The radio location is characterised by wide scanning range and capability of tracking up to ten targets at the same time in TWS (Track-While-Scan) mode up to 90 kilometers away — 8 of which marked on the multifunction display. Targets are selected with HOTAS switches and helmet-mounted display (HMD). M-346 FA is equipped with Tactical Data Link, capable of sending and receiving information about situation in air and on ground in the plane’s zone of operation. TDL provides information regarding the combat targets, and shares the information about targets detected by the plane’s sensors with allied aircrafts and ground units.

Safety, survival, and self defense are enhanced by Defensive Aid Sub-System (DASS), which includes radar warning receiver (RWR), missile approach warners (MAWS), chaff and flare launchers, and systems that reduce radar signature of the plane, decreasing detection chance.

Critical systems and construction elements are doubled: two engines, two sets of independent accessory drive systems, quadrupled electronic flight control system Fly-By-Wire (FBW), two separate hydraulic and electric systems, two batteries ensuring 30 minutes of flight in emergency situations. Additionally, for the flight safety, the plane is equipped with an autonomous extinguisher in engine compartments and auxiliary power units. The vehicle is also fitted with a Pilot Activated Recovery System (PARS) capable of leveling the plane automatically.

The plane is capable of being refueled mid-flight, which combined with capability of carrying external fuel tanks extends operational range and flight time, up to seven hours.

M-346FA has seven external hardpoints for various types of weapons and gear, including guided (laser or GPS) and unguided bombs, guided air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, gun pods, reconnaissance and navigation pods, and ECM systems.

M-346 FA armament can be freely configured in various combinations, including integration with guided medium range air-to-air AMRAAM missiles, active radar guidance system, Inertial Navigation System (INS), and the best available modern missiles, both American and European, such as ASRAAM, Meteor, and Spear—programmable networked long range missiles. Meteor missiles are capable of operating beyond visual range (BVR) with high speed and maneuverability.

For a close range engagement, M-346 FA pilots can use ASRAAM missiles, which have an advantage of being capable of attacking threats within 360º, basically in any position compared to M-346 FA.

Operational capabilities of M-346 FA are wide, allowing it to function effectively in network-centric environment, hybrid warfare, or full-scale conflict, during close air support missions (CAS, DCAS), forward air control (FAC-A), combat search and rescue (CSAR), battlefield interdiction, (BAI), tactical air support of marine operations (TASMO), airspace defense, intercepting low velocity aircrafts, and reconnaissance (RECCE).

/ Based on materials from Leonardo