Philippine SIAI-Marchetti S.211 Combat Aircraft

The Philippine SIAI—Marchetti or known as Aermacchi S—211 was a turbofan—powered military trainer aircraft that was designed and was originally marketed by the SIAI—Marchetti. 60 aircrafts have been sold to air forces around the world. The Aermacchi bought production rights in 1997. The redesigned M—311 were currently under the development of Alenia Aermacchi.

Since 1990s, Philippine Air Force has been using S—211 as Trainer with a secondary Attack Capability. These aircrafts were re—designated as AS—211s and nicknamed "Warriors". With the retirement of F—5 fighters in the 2005, additional task of air defense was assigned to it as well, because the Philippine Air Force initiated some improvements to the AS—211s in order to improve combat capability thru series of programs and innovations.

The first program was called "Project Falcon" installed Norsight Optical Sight from the retired F—5s into the AS—211. The program was initiated by Lieutenant Colonel Enrique Dela Cruz, Group Commander of 5th Tactical Fighter Group. Then it was followed by "Project Falcon Uniform" the program which repainted the aircraft with 2—tone Light and Dark Ghost Gray paint scheme along with low visibility markings to reduce their overall visibility.

"Project Falcon Hear" saw the optimizing of the air—ground communications on AS—211 by upgrading and installing AN/ARC—34 UHF radios from F—5A/B. The aircrafts were fitted with Belly Gun Pod designed, developed and manufactured by the Philippine company Aerotech Industries Philippines, Inc. (AIPI). Each Pod was equipped with M3 .50 caliber Machine Gun, an automatic charger and approximately 240 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.