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AMX International AMXType (Muster)Strike/reconaissance aircraft (Leichtes Kampfflugzeug) Country (Land) Italy/Brazil (Italien/Brasilien) Manufacturer (Hersteller) AMX International Via Faustiniana 00131 Rome Italy Phone: 0039-06/52291 Fax:0039-06/5229-3094 Partners in the AMX development are Aermacchi (23,6 per cent), Alenia (46,5 per cent) and Embraer (29,7 per cent) General (Allgemeine Angaben) Crew (Besatzung): 1 or 2 (AMX-T), on Martin-Baker Mk.10L ejection seat Weapons (Beaffnung): The AMX is fitted either with an M61A1 Vulcan six-barrelled 20mm rotary canon or two 30-mm canons in the Brazilian version. External stores are carried on one fuselage and four wing pylons plus two wingtip launch rails for the AIM-9 Sidewinder and includes:
Thrust (Schub): 49,06 kN (11030 lbs) Dimensions (Abmessungen) Length (Länge): 13,23 m Height (Höhe): 4,55 m Span (Spannweite): 8,87 m or 9,97 m over missiles Wing area (Flügelfläche): 21,0 sq m Wheel track (Spurweite des Fahrwerks): 2,15 m Wheelbase (Radstand): 4,7 m Weights (Massen) Operating weight empty (Einsatz-Leermasse): 6730 kg Max. external weapons load (max. Waffenzuladung): 3800 kg Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 2790 kg plus up to two 1000 litre external tanks Normal take-off (normale Startmasse): 9695 kg clean Typical mission take-off weight (typische Einsatzstartmasse): 10750 kg Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 13000 kg Normal landing weight (Landemasse): 7000 kg Performance (Flugleistungen) Maximum level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): Mach 0.86 at 30000 ft (9140 m), 914 km/h at 36000 ft, up to 1020 km/h under unspecified conditions Max. rate of climb (Max. Steigrate): 52 m/s at sea level Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 13000 m Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 630 m at 10750 kg or 980 m at max. take-off weight Landing distance from 15 m (Landestrecke über 15-m-Hindernis): 753 m Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 465 m at sea level Range (Reichweite): - 3330 km with two 1000 litre tanks, 10 % reserves Combat radius (Einsatzradius): - 465 km for lo-lo-lo attack profile with 6 x Mk.82 and 2 Sidewinders - 530 km for lo-lo-lo attack profile, 2700 kg external stores - 925 km for hi-lo-hi mission with 2700 kg external stores, max. take-off weight - 1020 km for hi-lo-lo-lo-hi mission with 2 Mk.82 bombs and 2 Sidewinders - 1390 km for hi-lo-hi mission with 2 Mk.83 bombs and 2 Sidewinders g-limits: + 7,3 / -3 Costs (Kosten) In 1990, the Thai order (later cancelled) was said to be 590 million US-Dollars for 26 AMX and 12 AMX-T. In 1999, a Venezolean order for eight AMX-T was prized at 150 million US-Dollars. Customers (Kunden) Despite vigorous export efforts, the AMX has so far been ordered only by its launch countries (192 in total plus prototypes) and Venezuela (12):
Competitors (Konkurrenz) Aero Vodochody L 159 Remarks (Bemerkungen) The AMX is a light fighter optimized for close interdiction, tactical air support and reconnaissance. It complements more expensive fighters/bombers like Tornado or Mirage 50. Features include: - good short-field performance and the ability to operate from unprepared runways - high transonic attack spreeds - advanced navigation and weapon system - option to fly recce missions There is also a two-seat version (AMX-T), which is intended as an operational trainer but also retains full combat capability. Changes include: - a second, stepped-up cockpit, replading some fuel and displacing ECS equipment - dual controls The production of the AMX is split between the three partner companies, as follows:
History (Geschichte) From 1973, Aeritalia studied a new attack aircraft. At about the same time, Aermacchi was also interested in the development of a light fighter aircraft. In June 1977, the Italian Air Force specified a light tactical fighter-bomber to complement its forthcoming fleet of Tornados and replace the Fiat G91R/Y as well as some of its F-104G/S. Aermacchi and Aeritalia (now Alenia) joined forces to meet this requirement and began development work in April 1978. Embraer joined the partnership in July 1981, after Italy and Brazil governments had signed an agreement in March 1981 to jointly set aircraft requirements. The first prototype (MMX594) flew at Turin-Caselle on 15 May 1984 with Manlio Quarantelli at the controls. It crashed on its fifth flight on 1 June due to an engine problem. Quarantelli ejected, but died later. The test programme restarted with the second prototype on 19 November 1984. The third prototype followed on 28 January 1985. Then an additional machine was built, flying on 24 May 1985. The fifth prototype took to the air on 26 July 1986. In Brazil, YA-1 (FAB4200) took off on 16 October 1985, followed by FAB4201 on 16 December 1986. Meanwhile , production of the first batch began in mid-1986, with assembly taking place at all three partner companies. In that year it was also decided to develop a two-seater. The first production AMX rolled out at Caselle on 19 March 1988, making its first flight on 11 May. Handover to the AMI (Italian Air Force) test center started in April 1989. A second production contract (Italy 59, Brazil 25, including two-seaters) was placed in 1988 In Brazil, the first A-1 (local designation) production aircraft flew on 12 August 1989, with deliveries getting under way from 17 October. Embraer conducted an in-flight refuelling test programme in August/September 1989. The first two-seat AMX-T made its maiden flight on 14 March 1990 at Turin. It lasted nearly an hour. Chief test pilot Bragagnolo was at the controls.. The second AMX-T followed on 16 July. First flight of an AMX-T at Embraer was delayed to 14 August 1991 due to funding problems. It was formally delivered to the Brazilian air force on 7 May 1992. In August 1990 it became known that the Royal Thai Air Force had elected to acquire 40 AMX. Delivery would have been within 24 months of contract signature, but that never happened. The Italian air force grounded its AMX form February 4 to the end of May 1992 after an accident which was traced to the separation of a turbine disk in the Spey engine. The third production batch was authorised in early 1992, one year late. It included 56 aircraft for Italy and 22 for Brazil. Italy and Brazil did cancel the planned production batches 4 (51 aircraft) and 5 (53 aircraft). At one time in the late 80s, numbers as high as 317 aircraft had been mentioned. From January to 22 March 1996, the AMX fleet was grounded after a crash due to engine problems. A second-stage low-pressure compressor blade had gone off. The final Italian single-seater was delivered in 1997, with the final AMX-T following in 1998. Production in Brazil was completed by the end of 1999. The Italian AMX squadrons were involved in operation Allied Force, flying 252 combat sorties over Yugoslavia (667 hours). 39 Opher laser-guided bombs were dropped. On 18 December 2002, Embraer announced the signature of a contract for the delivery of 12 AMT-T to Venezuela. Deliveries should commence in 2005. The selection of the aircraft dates from September 1999 (then for 8 AMX-T), but it seems that negotiations dragged on for years. After cancelling a major upgrade due to budget pressures and high cost, Italy´s air force is now aiming for a limited upgrade including GPS, CLDP laser-designation pod, JDAM and new recce-pod. The upgrade is expected to be ready by 2005.
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