Leonardo unveils new cockpit design for Block 20 version of the M-346

Leonardo has taken a step forward in the development of the enhanced Block 20 version of its M-346 advanced jet trainer/light combat aircraft (AJT/LCA) with the unveiling of a new cockpit for the aircraft.

The new cockpit, which features a large area display (LAD), was officially presented at the Defence iQ Military Flight Training 2025 conference, held in Sardinia, Italy, from 31 March to 2 April.

Developed in the framework of the Block 20’s overall capability enhancement effort, officially launched at Farnborough Air Show in July 2024, the new cockpit’s main characteristics include a single 20×8-inch (508×203 mm) night vision goggle-compatible, full-touch, high-resolution display; multiple-redundant architectural design for display, core electronics and power units; a multicore processor allowing significant computational power growth potential; latest certification standards; and a significant rationalisation of several control panels. The Block 20 standard cockpit will feature two LADs (one per seat), replacing the existing six multi-functional displays, plus a low-profile head-up display (HUD). These will be combined with a new digital video and data recorder and a new augmented-reality helmet mounted display HMD).

The aircraft’s new human-machine interface (HMI), designed with increased situational awareness and low crew workload principles in mind, reflects the latest and future layouts of sophisticated frontline combat air systems. This delivers what Leonardo says is “an enhanced look and feel and immersive environment, and increased effectiveness and safety for advanced training purposes” – including multi-asset co-operative training – as pilots transition to operational duties or to the next generation of air dominance platforms. It also maximises the benefits of the M-346 multirole light combat variant in terms of intuitive and rapid mission systems, sensor information access and management, weapon system management, greater all-weather tolerance, data gathering, analysis, exploitation and sharing scenarios that increasingly require digital connectivity and interoperability.

The new cockpit, subject to further refinements, will be installed onto a M-346 Block 20 prototype by mid-2027, with its final design expected to be available on a production aircraft for a launch customer by the end of 2028.

The M-346 Block 20 standard leverages the inherent growth capability embedded into the M-346 design, as well as over 10 years of proven in-service experience with leading air forces around the world.  Leonardo says this is an integral part of its broader organisational digitalisation roadmap initiative, fully consistent with the company’s long-term strategy. As such, both training and fighter variants will benefit from these enhancements to deliver even greater capabilities to the market for a wide spectrum of applications, with significant margin for further developments in the future.

The new Block 20 standard will not be limited to the platform itself, but rather to the entire system, including the ground-based training system (GBTS), and will be enabled by the widespread implementation of digitalisation powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The GBTS, and Leonardo’s holistic approach to training more generally (using multimedia and classroom courses, flight/mission simulation, and both virtual and live/constructive training), will step up to the new standard via virtual reality support and AI applications.

“Stronger digitisation will be a key enabler for more efficient technical support thanks to the implementation of virtual maintenance and a ‘connected fleet’: an extremely high-performing infrastructure, which uses advanced data analytics and high-performance computing to enhance the integrated logistic support services,” Leonardo stated.

The M-346 has 19 worldwide users and has logged over 130,000 flight hours in operational service with customers. With the Block 20 version of the aircraft, Leonardo is thus positioning the platform to remain as a strong contender for the emerging AJT/LCA requirements of air forces around the world.