The T-346A twin-engine jet (the Aermachi M-346 military air designation) is the most advanced pre-operational trainer in service worldwide today. With fully digital flight controls and avionics, and carefree manoeuvrability at high angles of attack, the T-346A is designed for the training of pilots destined for Fourth and Fifth Generation aircraft. It also offers significant savings because it can carry out a large part of the training programme previously completed on more demanding aircraft.

The T-346A is an integrated training system comprising, in addition to the aircraft itself, a ground segment made up of various simulation systems. The system's flagship LVC (Live, Virtual and Constructive) philosophy enables pilots to operate simultaneously and in a combined manner in real flight (Live) and on various types of simulators (Virtual), interfacing with all types of computer-generated threat forces (Constructive).

It is used for Phase IV of training (Lead In to Fighter Training - LIFT), preparatory to subsequent deployment on Fighter aircraft.

It was designed and built entirely in Italy by Alenia Aermacchi, now Leonardo Aircraft.