In 1977, Italy intended to develop a light attack aircraft with the Tornado fighter-bomber, whose main mission was to be able to perform all-weather battlefield interdiction, close ground support and tactical reconnaissance missions. It was also required to be lighter, cheaper and easier to maintain than the Tornado fighter-bomber, to replace the F-104 fighter and Fiat G91 attack aircraft, and as a companion and complement to the expensive Tornado fighter-bomber. In short, this is a cheap and practical attack aircraft. At this time, Brazil also felt that the MB326 fighter it had purchased for many years was relatively old, and at the same time could not afford to pay for independent research and development, and the two sides hit it off under common needs and decided to jointly develop this light tactical attack aircraft, the project code name AMX.
Tornado fighter-bombers were somewhat expensive for Italy
In 1981, the Italian company Alenia Aeronautics, Macchi and Embraer jointly established AMX International Airlines, whose main mission was to develop this new light attack aircraft. Each of the three companies is responsible for the development of some subsystems, but all have the final assembly capacity and can be produced in their respective countries.
Three views of AMX attack aircraft
In 1984, the first prototype of the AMX made in Italy flew successfully, and in October 1985, the first flight of the AMX built by Brazil was successful. By 1998, all 152 Italian orders had been delivered, with the military designation A11, and in 1999, 66 orders had been delivered in Brazil, designated A-1. It is customary to call it AMX attack aircraft.
AMX's first prototype flew
The AMX adopts a conventional single-engine, single-tail up-wing layout, with air intakes on both sides arranged at the upper wing roots of the fuselage to reduce the risk of runway debris being sucked into the engine. This aerodynamic layout was especially common in the seventies and eighties of the last century, such as the Flying Leopard fighter-bomber on the mainland, the Jaguar attack aircraft in the United Kingdom, etc.
AMX attack aircraft frontal
When choosing engines for the AMX attack aircraft, Italy initially wanted to use American engines, but because Italy once exported transport aircraft to Libya, they were equipped with American engines, and for this reason the United States rejected exports. In order to avoid further restrictions, the AMX uses a Spey RB.168MK.807 turbofan engine produced by Rolls-Royce in the United Kingdom, which is not equipped with afterburner.
AMX attack aircraft
The engine can provide 49.1 kN thrust, allowing the AMX to achieve a maximum speed of 1053 km/h, which is relatively fast in a tactical attack aircraft. At the same time, AMX is also equipped with the FA150 auxiliary power system produced by Fiat, which allows AMX to start the engine autonomously without ground support equipment, which is very important for actual combat applications and has high battlefield adaptability.
The AMX attack aircraft can have a range of about 3300 kilometers, a combat radius of about 889 kilometers, and if it carries a drop tank, the range will be longer, and it has aerial refueling capabilities. The aircraft equipped by Italy and Brazil on avionics are somewhat different because Italy uses NATO systems with electronic countermeasures systems, active electronic jamming transmitters and decoy bomb droppers. Avionics in Brazil are relatively simple and cheaper.
AMX attack aircraft for aerial refueling
In terms of weapons, the Italian version of the AMX attack aircraft has an M61A2 six-barreled 20mm Vulcan cannon installed on the left side of the nose, with a reserve of 350 rounds, which is also the standard cannon of the American third-generation fighter. Because the United States refused to send Vulcan cannons to Brazil, two Defa 30mm cannons were used instead, each with 125 rounds of ammunition.
Where the AMX Vulcan cannon is installed
The AMX fuselage has a total of 7 hardpoints under the wing, the inner wing pylons can carry 900 kg of loads, the outer side can carry 450 kg, and can also use the composite pylons to carry more weapons, with a maximum bomb load of 3.8 tons.
Ammunition display for AMX equipped
The AMX can use a wide range of airborne weapons, including various aerial bombs, rockets, tactical air-to-surface missiles, and close-range air-to-air missiles. Laser-guided bombs can also be used by mounting laser-aimed pods. It has the ability to perform all-weather battlefield interdiction, close support and ultra-low altitude penetration tasks. The maneuverability is better than that of ordinary attack aircraft, and with cannons and close-range air-to-air missiles, it has certain air combat capabilities. Brazil's AMX attack aircraft are often used as light fighters.
AMX attack aircraft partial data
It is 13.57 meters long, with a wingspan of 8.88 meters and a height of 4.57 meters. Empty weight 6700 kg, maximum take-off weight 13000 kg. Equipped with a Rolls-Royce Bay RB.168 MK.807 afterburner-free turbofan engine with a maximum thrust of 49.1 kN (5006 kg). The maximum level flight speed is 1053 km / h, the practical ceiling is 13000 meters, and the range is 3330 km. Allowed overload +7.3G~-3G.
The Italian Air Force's AMX attack aircraft participated in many overseas combat operations, and during the 1991 Gulf War, AMX was deployed to NATO military bases in Turkey to contain and confuse Iraqi forces, but ultimately did not enter the battle. Italy's AMX was also on alert during the 1995 Bosnian War and did not engage in direct combat. In 1999, AMX participated in the bombing of the former Yugoslav Federation, destroyed a number of ground targets, and achieved good results. In 2009 and 2011, Italy's AMX fought in the wars in Afghanistan and Syria. For the first time in the airstrike Syrian war, AMX used tactical pods and guided bombs.
Two AMX attack aircraft deployed in Afghanistan
After the AMX attack aircraft entered service, many countries had the intention to buy it. However, due to the end of the Cold War, the international situation has changed drastically, the security environment is relatively peaceful, countries have slowed down the renewal of their weapons and equipment, and the original overseas orders have been canceled. In the end, more than 200 AMX attack aircraft were produced, all equipped with the Italian and Brazilian air forces, and none were exported.
AMX attack aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force
The AMX attack aircraft has been in service for more than 30 years now. The Italian Air Force's AMX was gradually replaced by F-35 fighters, which will be used for a few more years because of the slow delivery of the F-35. The Brazilian Air Force ordered the JAS-39 in 2014 and has almost delivered it. But the quantities ordered are limited, and the AMX of the Brazilian Air Force will continue to be in service.
The AMX project is an example of international cooperation in the development of military aircraft, perfect for manufacturing cost control. According to their own tactical needs, the Italian and Brazilian air forces did not make the AMX too advanced and complicated, but developed it according to the principle of adequacy. Leveraging proven power and electronics makes the AMX a simple, efficient attack aircraft. The AMX attack aircraft cost only about 1/4 of the Tornado fighter-bomber, which completed the original specified plan very well, and was qualified as a supplement to the Tornado fighter-bomber.
AMX production modding workshop in Brazil
Embraer also benefited greatly from the AMX project, being exposed to advanced aviation technologies such as digital buses, fire control computer source code, system integration, etc. He also learned a lot of advanced project management experience, and these valuable aviation design and manufacturing experience have taken Brazil's aviation manufacturing industry to a higher level.