Page 18 - ADT JULY - AUGUST 2022 Online Magazine

aircraft in 2023 and all USAF undergraduate pilot training bases advanced capabilities in the training sector.
will eventually transition from the T-38C to the T-7A. These bases Leonardo which has manufactured over 7,000
include Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi; Laughlin AFB and aircraft including approximately 2,000 military
Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Vance AFB, Oklahoma. training aircraft also partnered with CAE for
the IFTS, which provides the state-of-the-art
The T-7A features a unique design which emerged from the USAF ground based training system (GBTS) which
requirement, that called for an aircraft specifically designed to pre- uses CAE Medallion MR e-Series visual system [ AIR SYSTEMS ]
pare pilots for fifth-generation aircraft. The big leading-edge root 360-degree dome displays.
extensions afford the aircraft with deft handling at low speeds and
its twin tails, slats deliver impressive real-world performance. As The IFTS was announced at the 2018
compared to the twin-engine T-38C Talon which it replaces, the Farnborough International Airshow in the
T-7A’s single engine generates nearly three times more thrust. The UK and has already attracted the attention
aircraft also features open architecture software, digital fly-by-wire of several first line air forces. The Japan air
controls, glass touchscreen cockpit and has been designed from self-defense force (JASDF) is the third interna-
ground up to receive system software updates faster and more tional IFTS customer and Qatar is also training
seamlessly. The USAF ordered 351 T-7As under a US$9.2 billion its pilots here. The IFTS operates a fleet of 18
contract awarded to Boeing in September 2018. Boeing will also T-346As (the designation of the M-346 in Italian
supply 46 simulators and associated ground equipment to AETC. Air Force service) and its Phase IV syllabus
has been specifically designed to improve the
teaching effectiveness during lead-in fighter
International Flight Training School training (LIFT) phases of training to adequately
The International Flight Training School (IFTS) is a strategic col- prepare student pilots to handle the latest
laboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo that aims to fourth/fifth generation fighter aircraft like the
deliver advanced flight training to partner air forces by combining its F-16/F-35 in an operational environment. “The
advanced capabilities in the training sector with Italian Air Force’s M-346 has been proven to be able to download
expertise and tradition of high-quality training with Leonardo's effectively a wide part of the training flight hours
traditionally carried out on twin seat fighter at
the operational squadrons,” a company official
tells Asian Defence Technology. The IFTS sylla-
bus enables the download of training from the
operational conversion unit (OCU) saving time
and valuable resources and includes, in addition
to the qualification and basic training, the fol-
lowing modules: Air to Air, Advanced Air to Air,
Air to Ground, Live Range, Air to Air Refueling,
Night NVG.

At Full Operational Capability, the IFTS will
be able to offer up to 80 courses annually,
doubling from the 35-40 pilots trained annu-
ally. Out of this, 20 training positions will be
reserved for the Italian air force, while 60 slots
will be available to pilots of foreign allied coun-
tries. The IFTS project will eventually offer an
advanced flight training capacity up to an esti-
mated 8,000 flight hours annually. Currently
located at Galatina Air Base in Italy, the IFTS
is slated to move to a new and innovative ded-
icated “Air Training Campus” which is taking
shape at Decimomannu Air Base (Sardinia) and
will be operational from the second semester
2022. This brand-new campus will include the
GBTS, hangars, new lodges etc. Decimomannu
features two runways, dedicated air training
areas, proximity to live ranges, plus favorable
and predictable weather conditions all around
the year.

The IFTS’ M-346A aircraft are fully integrated

18 | July/August 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT