Alenia Aermacchi (AAEM) has awarded a contract to CAE for the design and manufacture of a M-346 full-mission simulator and a M-346 part-task trainer, for the Italian Air Force.

Under the contract, part of the M-346 ground-based training system, CAE has subcontracted Selex Galileo for the development and supply of simulation and instructor operator station subsystems.

CAE will deliver the M-346 full-mission simulator and part-task trainer to Galatina Air Force Base near Lecce, Italy, in mid 2011.

AAEM will supply six M-346 master advanced lead-in fighter trainer aircraft and related flight simulators to form an integrated training system, following a contract signed with the Italian Defence Ministry at the beginning of November 2009.