Textron Aviation Defense has begun a US tour to demonstrate the capabilities of the Beechcraft M-346N, one of four contenders for the US Navy’s upcoming Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. The two-seat M-346N twinjet departed from Beech Factory Airport in Wichita, Kansas, recently following its assembly at Textron Aviation Defense headquarters. Textron Aviation Defense said this “ecosystem” integrates simulators, AI-powered adaptive instruction, and real-time synthetic environments, while precision landing mode directly prepares pilots for naval carrier landings. Textron Aviation Defense said it has partnered with Leonardo under a teaming agreement to pursue the UJTS requirement. First flown in 2004 and certified in 2011, it has since entered service as a jet trainer in Italy, Israel, Singapore and Poland.