SIAI-Marchetti SF-260
Summary
| Category | Military Training Aircraft |
| Origin country | ๐ฎ๐น Italy |
| Manufacturer | SIAI-Marchetti |
| First flight | 15 July 1964 |
| Year introduced | 1966 |
| Number produced | 900 units |
| Average unit price | $1.3 million |
Technical specifications
| Version: SF-260W Warrior | |
|---|---|
| Operational range | 1,650 km (1,025 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 333 km/h (207 mph) |
| Wing area | 10.1 mยฒ (108.7 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 8.4 m (27.4 ft) |
| Height | 2.4 m (7.9 ft) |
| Length | 7.1 m (23.3 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 4,500 m (14,764 ft) |
| Empty weight | 770 kg (1,698 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 6.3 m/s (20.7 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 1 x pistons engine Lycoming O-540-E4A5 delivering 194 kW each |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Turkey | 34 | |
|
Italy | 29 | |
|
Belgium | 19 | |
|
Philippines | 19 | |
|
Zimbabwe | 15 | |
|
Venezuela | 11 | |
|
Zambia | 11 | |
|
Libya | 10 | |
|
Uruguay | 6 | |
|
Ethiopia | 4 | |
All operators
๐ฆ๐ช United Arab Emirates
•
๐ง๐ช Belgium
•
๐ง๐ด Bolivia
•
๐ง๐ณ Brunei
•
๐จ๐ฉ Congo Democratic Republic
•
๐ฐ๐ฒ Comoros
•
๐ช๐น Ethiopia
•
๐ญ๐น Haiti
•
๐ฎ๐ช Ireland
•
๐ฎ๐น Italy
•
๐ฑ๐พ Libya
•
๐ฑ๐ฐ Sri Lanka
•
๐ฒ๐ฑ Mali
•
๐ฒ๐ฒ Myanmar
•
๐ต๐ญ Philippines
•
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
•
๐ธ๐ด Somalia
•
๐น๐ฉ Chad
•
๐น๐ญ Thailand
•
๐น๐ท Turkey
•
๐บ๐พ Uruguay
•
๐ป๐ช Venezuela
•
๐ฟ๐ฒ Zambia
•
๐ฟ๐ผ Zimbabwe
2 recent events involving the SF-260
| Date | Air Force | Aircraft | Active ฮ | Ordered ฮ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2025 | ๐ฎ๐น Italian Air Force | SF-260 | -1 | โ |
| T-260B trainer crashed near Sabaudia during a training mission, killing two crew. Details → | ||||
| 9 Sep 2025 | ๐ฟ๐ผ Air Force of Zimbabwe | SF-260 | -1 | โ |
| SF-260 crashed after takeoff at Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base, killing instructor and trainee. Details → | ||||
Armament
Bombs payload:
- Cluster SAMP BL-9
Description
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 is a military aircraft that was developed in Italy during the late 1960s. Designed primarily as a trainer aircraft, it possesses a low-wing configuration with a tricycle landing gear. Throughout its production history, the SF-260 has also been used for various missions beyond training, such as light attack and reconnaissance. It has been actively deployed by multiple air forces around the world due to its versatility and reliability. The aircraft's construction incorporates a combination of aluminum alloy and composite materials, resulting in a lightweight structure that is suitable for both basic and advanced flight training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of aircraft is the SF-260?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 is a military training aircraft aircraft developed by SIAI-Marchetti and entered service in 1966.
What is the maximum speed of the SF-260?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 has a maximum speed of 333 km/h (206 mph).
What is the range of the SF-260?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 has an operational range of 1,650 km (1,025 miles). This range can vary based on payload, altitude, and mission profile.
When did the SF-260 first fly?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 made its first flight on July 15, 1964. It entered operational service in 1966.
How many SF-260 have been built?
Approximately 900 units of the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 have been produced since it entered service in 1966.
Which countries operate the SF-260?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 is operated by 10 countries with approximately 158 aircraft in active service. The largest operators include Turkey, Italy, and Belgium.
How much does a SF-260 cost?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 has an estimated unit cost of approximately $1.3 million. Actual prices vary based on configuration, quantity ordered, and included support packages.
What is the service ceiling of the SF-260?
The SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 has a service ceiling of 4,500 meters (14,763 feet). This is the maximum altitude at which the aircraft can maintain controlled flight.
Wikipedia and other open sources.
Suggest a change