Textron Aviation Defense has kicked off a nationwide demonstration tour to promote its Beechcraft M-346N advanced jet trainer as the U.S. Navy searches for a next-generation platform for undergraduate pilot training.
According to a press release from Textron Aviation Defense, the M-346N took off from Beech Factory Airport in Wichita, Kansas, where it was assembled. The aircraft is part of a broader integrated training system originally developed by Leonardo and now adapted for U.S. Navy needs by Textron under the Beechcraft name.
In a statement, Travis Tyler, president and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense, said, “Assembled in the United States and backed by Beechcraft’s 85-year legacy of training U.S. military pilots, the M-346N represents the next evolution in jet trainer capability. This platform is operationally proven and ready to deliver a comprehensive and advanced training solution to the U.S. Navy today.”
The tour comes as the U.S. Navy prepares to launch a formal acquisition process for a new jet trainer. The service has issued multiple Requests for Information for its Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. Textron Aviation Defense and Leonardo have entered into a teaming agreement to compete for the upcoming contract.
The M-346N brings an operational track record and a full training ecosystem, which includes high-fidelity simulators, AI-enabled adaptive instruction, and a Live-Virtual-Constructive architecture that connects aircraft, ground-based training devices, and synthetic environments. The aircraft also features a Precision Landing Mode to help prepare naval aviators for carrier-based operations.
Textron says more than 100 M-346 aircraft built by Leonardo are already in service worldwide, logging over 150,000 flight hours. These numbers reflect a platform that has been tested and adopted by air forces in at least 20 countries, the company noted.
The M-346N is a tandem-seat, twin-engine jet equipped with digital flight controls, advanced avionics, and a modern cockpit layout. Features include a quadruple-redundant fly-by-wire system, Head-Up Displays (HUD), Large Area Displays (LAD), and hands-on throttle and stick controls in both cockpits. It also incorporates safety systems such as Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance (Auto-GCAS).
Powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, the M-346N has a maximum cruise speed of over 590 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. Its aerodynamic profile supports strong maneuverability and energy management, while the elevated rear cockpit provides instructors with a clear field of view.
Textron says these features make the M-346N well-suited to bridge the gap between basic flight instruction and operational fighter jet performance—especially in a naval context where carrier qualification remains a central challenge for student aviators.