03/31/2008. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "This development of the S.211 was produced for the USAF/USN JPATS (Joint Primary Training Aircraft System) competition. Grumman and SIAI Marchetti partnered in 1988 and two prototypes were built, designated S.211A, the other was I-JPAT c/n 202. The Raytheon T-6 Texan II (redesigned Pilatus PC-9 Mk.2) was announced winner on June 22, 1995.

SIAI Marchetti S.211 (I-SITF) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

Compared with the S.211, the visible outward differences are the wing fences, the redesigned wing tips, increasing span by 3.15 in (8 cm) to 27 ft 11 in (8.51 m), and the two ventral strakes. It is powered by the upgraded 3,190 lb (1,447 kg) st Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C version of the original 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) st JT15D-4C turbofan.

SIAI Marchetti was taken over by Aermacchi in January 1997. The Italian holding company Finmeccanica (Agusta, Alenia, etc.) acquired Aermacchi in 2002. In 2005 this S.211A was fitted with state-of-the-art digital avionics (as used in the MB-339CD), and the S.211A, marketed as the M-311 avionics demonstrator, was flown in the new configuration for the first time on June 1.

Since 2006 Aermacchi operates under the name of Alenia Aermacchi, hence the aircraft is marked Alenia Aermacchi M-311. Although it also received a military serial, CSX619, no sales have been announced yet."