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The EADS Mako/High Energy Advanced Trainer (Mako/HEAT) was a high-performance jet trainer or light attack aircraft intended for service with several European air forces. EADS proposed the Mako for the Eurotrainer program. The program was the final result of the AT-2000 project.
Contents
Design and development
The Mako design featured a single aft-mounted jet engine, fed by two air intake ramps at the roots of the mid-fuselage-wing. It features a trapezoidal wing with a sharp taper. The horizontal tail was an all-flying unit mounted close behind the wing and at nearly the same height. The retractable landing gear was a tricycle unit. The two occupants shared a highly streamlined bubble canopy.
Subcontractors would have included Diehl Aerospace, Aermacchi (now Leonardo-Finmeccanica), Saab, EAB and Dassault Aviation. Potential customers would have likely been Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Finland, Greece, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.
The intended engine was the General Electric F414M, which is a slightly derated version (at 75 kN) of the standard F414. The engine's final assembly might have been done by Volvo, as that company already assembles a version of the related GE F404/RM12 for Saab's Gripen fighter aircraft. EADS originally intended to use the Eurojet EJ200, but chose not to do so.
The Mako/HEAT was to be deployed at three shared bases around the continent of Europe, for use by all partner nations. There were nine candidate bases in seven countries, but there was no final selection yet.
The Aermacchi M-346 trainer, also being proposed for Eurotrainer, made its maiden flight on July 15, 2004, and is being purchased by Italy, Singapore, Israel and Poland. As of 2010, EADS had yet to announce a date for the Mako's maiden flight. It is for all intents and purposes defunct.
Specifications
General characteristics
Performance
Armament