AMX International AMX

History

Subsonic AMX International AMX (known as "Gibli" by the Italian Air Force) is the result of a collaboration between two Italian (Aeritalia - now Alenia - and Aermacchi) and a Brazilian (Embraer) aircraft company. Development of the aircraft began in 1978, when only two Italian companies developed advanced multi-role platforms with inherent reconnaissance capabilities at the request of the Italian Air Force.

This requirement is seen as a reasonable replacement for Italy's aging fleet of American Lockheed F-104 "Starfighters" and Alitalia's G.91 series aircraft. Determined to meet this requirement with a fully localized fighter design, Aermacchi and Aeritalia began work on what would become the "AMX".

The Brazilian Air Force entered the program in 1980, joining the company to meet similar requirements from the local air force. The aircraft was subsequently produced under the "AMX International" brand.

The AMX program had its maiden flight on May 15, 1984 - the prototype was in service with the Italians, and the Brazilian prototype was unveiled a year later. The main difference between the two aircraft designs is their avionics package, which demonstrates the overall customizability of the AMX airframe - a promising side effect of being an export-friendly product on the world stage. The original order was for 272 aircraft, but was later reduced to 136 due to budget constraints in both countries involved. Still, development continues with few technical setbacks.

The official production quality aircraft entered service in 1989 and reached peak strength in 1990. Production of the AMX series collapsed as Alenia (Aeritalia) sent a whopping 46.7%, while Embraer got 29.7% and Aermacchi got 23.6%. Final assembly takes place locally in their respective countries.

Externally, the AMX features an elevated monoplane wing, dual air intakes and a single engine mount. Crew accommodation varies by model and can be a pilot or a pilot and a system operator sitting side by side. The latter serves light strikes or advanced jet training well. Standard weapons in Italy and Brazil are not much different, with the Italian version equipped with a six-barrel Gatling-style 20mm internal GE cannon, and the Brazilian version with two 30mm DEFA cannons.

Four underwing hardpoints, a centerline hardpoint and wingtip hardpoints all contribute to the inherent versatility of this relatively compact aircraft. Wingtip mounts are reserved for short-range air-to-air missiles, but other hardpoints are designed to carry variable ammunition loads from guided missiles, bombs, rocket pods, jettisonable fuel tanks for increased range, and reconnaissance pods or targets Laser designation.

AMX, in partnership with the Italians, has provided substantial combat service since its inception - fighting as part of the UN-led "Allied" airstrikes against Serbia, and has been deployed in that operation more than 250 times. The aircraft was equipped with an advanced Israeli-made Elbit "Opher" infrared (IR) guided bomb, which proved to be as accurate as advertised.

Other ordnance used by the Italian AMX during the war included the Mk 82, Mk 83 and Mk 84 conventionally thrown bombs, used in conjunction with the Paveway II series of laser-guided bombs (LGBs).

While no more impressive export totals were achieved, the AMX proved to be a viable weapons delivery platform - considering it was designed by a consortium of different aircraft companies on different continents. The export orders were supposed to be boosted by Venezuela's order for eight planes in 1999, but the United States blocked their sales, citing the planes being loaded with American technology - the U.S. and Venezuelan governments have been at odds for decades.

In its modern form, the AMX is powered by a Rolls-Royce Series 807 (non-afterburner) turbofan engine rated at 11,030 lbf. It has a top speed of 570 mph, a combat range of up to 555 miles, and a ferry range of up to 2,075 miles.

Service is capped at 42,650 feet with a climb rate approaching 10,250 feet per minute.

The 205 AMX was produced in 2002 when the last airframe arrived. Several marks form a line:

The AMX-T is a two-seater premium trainer and the AMT-ATA is a two-seater "Advanced Trainer Attack" model. The AMX-R (RA-1) is a reconnaissance platform. The A-1M is a Brazilian update, while the A-11A and TA-11A are improved Italian brands.

The designation A-11B stands for Italian aircraft, as does the TA-11B.

The AMX-T two-seat advanced trainer first flew in 1990. As of 2006, the A-11B was in stock for the upgraded Italian AMX. In 2013, the Brazilian Air Force received the upgraded AMX as the A-1M as part of the Batch 43 program.

The aircraft are equipped with Mectron SCP-01 series radars, FLIR, BR2 data link, Israeli Elbit navigation and digital "all glass" cockpits.

As the Lockheed F-35 Lightning II grows in number, the A-1 in service in Italy is scheduled to be retired along with the AV-8 Harrier and PANAVIA Tornado attack aircraft. The Lighting II will be deployed alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon as a frontline "double whammy" proposed by Italy.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

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Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes