The AMX International AMX is a surface attack aircraft for battlefield interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance missions. It is designated the A-1 in Brazilian service.

The AMX is capable of operating at high subsonic speed and low altitude, by day or night, and if necessary, from bases with poorly equipped or damaged runways. Low IR signature, reduced radar equivalent cross section and low vulnerability of structure and systems guarantee a high probability of mission success. Integrated ECM, air-to-air missiles and nose-mounted guns provide self-defence capabilities.

Development

In 1977, the Italian Air Force issued a requirement for a strike fighter to replace its Aeritalia G.91 and some of its F-104 Starfighters. Rather than competing for the contract, Aeritalia and Aermacchi agreed to make a joint proposal, as both firms had been considering the development of a similar class of aircraft for some years. Development work began in April 1978.

In March 1981, the Italian government and Brazilian governments agreed on joint requirements for the aircraft, and EMBRAER was invited to join the partnership in July.

The first prototype flew on May 15 1984. Although it was lost on its fifth flight (killing its pilot), the test programme was otherwise reasonably smooth. Mass production started by mid-1986, with the first examples delivered to the Italian and Brazilian air forces in 1989. Since then, some 200 AMXs have been built.

Italian AMX squadrons flew 252 combat sorties over Kosovo as part of Operation Allied Force, without a single loss.

Variants

AMX-T

In 1986, development of a two-seat advanced trainer variant was undertaken. This was intended to provide trainee pilots with experience on fast jets, while still retaining the one seater's attack capabilities. The AMX-T first flew in 1990 and equips both the Italian and Brazilian air forces.

Users

Italian Air Force (past and present)

• 13 Gruppo/32 Stormo
• 14 Gruppo/2 Stormo (disbanded, December 2002)
• 28 Gruppo/3 Stormo (disbanded)
• 101 Gruppo/32 Stormo
• 103 Gruppo/51 Stormo
• 132 Gruppo/51 Stormo

Brazilian Air Force

• 1 Esquadrão/16 Grupo
• 1 Esquadrão/10 Grupo
• 3 Esquadrão/10 Grupo

Thailand ordered and cancelled the AMX

Venezuela ordered the aircraft in December 2002, with deliveries expected in 2005.

Specifications (AMX)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one
• Length: 13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in)
• Height: 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in)
• Wing area: 21 m² (226 ft²)
• Empty: 6,730 kg (14,806 lb)
• Loaded: 10,750 kg (23,650 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 13,000 kg (28,600 lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Rolls-Royce Spey 807 turbofan, 49 kN (11,030 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,020 km/h (638 mph)
• Range: 3,330 km (2,081 miles)
• Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,640 ft)
• Rate of climb: 3,120 m/min (10,234 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 512 kg/m² (104.6 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/Weight: 1:2.14

Armament

• 1x 20 mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon (Italian aircraft) or
• 2x 30 mm DEFA 544 cannons (Brazilian aircraft)

• 2x AIM-9 Sidewinders or MAA-1 Piranhas carried on wingtip rails

• 3,800 kg (8,360 lb) of external stores on 5 hardpoints, including general-purpose and laser-guided bombs, Air-to-ground missiles, and rockets.

Related content

Related development: Aermacchi MB-340

Comparable aircraft: CASA C-101 - BAE Hawk

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