AMX (Family)
Description
The AMX International AMX is a ground-attack aircraft jointly developed by Brazil and Italy. The AMX is designated A-11 Ghibli by the Italian Air Force and A-1 by the Brazilian Air Force. The Italian name, "Ghibli", is taken from the hot dry wind of the Libyan desert.
Vehicles
VII Rank
Media
- Vídeos
History
By the end of the 1970s, the Fiat G91s were obsolete. Developed in the late 1950s, they had already been in the Italian Air Force for more than 20 years. At this time, the Italians needed new, more modern aircraft for ground attack, air support and reconnaissance. This need resulted in a partnership between Aeritalia (now Alenia Aeronautica) and Aermacchi, because at the time both companies had similar projects for the Italian Air Force.
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) needed a replacement for the obsolete AT-26 Xavante light attack and training aircraft, Which had been manufactured by the Italian company Aermacchi since the 60s. In 1981, after extensive negotiations between the countries, the Brazilian company Embraer was invited to take part in the project, resulting in the AMX-Internacional consortium. Each of the three companies was responsible for specific parts of the aircraft: 46.7% for Aeritalia (including the central fuselage), 23.6% for Aermacchi (which included the front fuselage) and 29.7% for Embraer (including the wings, landing gear and disposable fuel tanks)[1].
American engines were avoided, due to the fear of the Brazilians and Italians of being forced into unilateral restrictions by the United States of America. In the end, an engine from an Italian European ally, the British, was chosen, with the Rolls-Royce Spey RB.168 Mk.807. This engine was older than many of the engines available on the market, but it was considered to be very reliable.
The test phase ran from 1984 to 1988. Embraer delivered its first prototype in October 1985, Aeritalia produced three prototypes and finally Aermacchi and Embrear produced another two prototypes. Although an accident involving the first Italian prototype claimed the life of the test pilot Manlio Quarantell[2], the test phase was considered a success. As a result, the first aircraft began to be delivered in May 1988, with Brazil receiving its first AMX in 1989 and acquiring a total of 45 aircraft.
This plane has already been used by the Italian air force in conflicts in Bosnia (1995) and Kosovo (1999). Between 2009 and 2014 there were also missions in Afghanistan. Finally, Libya was also the scene of real Italian AMX missions in 2011[3]. In particular, during the Kosovo war the aircraft received praise from the Americans for being “efficient, precise and reliable”.
The main differences between the Italian and Brazilian versions of the game are undoubtedly the weapons. The Italians opted for a 20mm Vulcan nose cannon. On the other hand, Brazilians use a double pair of 30mm DEFA 554. Furthermore, the plane equips each nation's respective bombs and anti-aircraft missiles, with small differences between these secondary weapons. Of these weapons, the Piranha anti-aircraft missiles stand out.
