Libyan SF.260s were documented in the 1987 fighting around Fada and Ouadi-Doum, where Chadian forces captured or shot down multiple SF.260 light-strike aircraft; GlobalSecurity also describes captured SF-260 Marchetti aircraft later being flown by Chad on reconnaissance missions.
Aircraft & UAVs
SF-260
Also known as
- SIAI-Marchetti SF.260
- SIAI-Marchetti SF-260
- Aermacchi SF-260
- Alenia Aermacchi SF-260
- Leonardo SF-260
- SF.260
- F260
- F.260
- Waco Meteor
The SF-260 is an Italian trainer and light attack aircraft designed by Stelio Frati and built by SIAI-Marchetti and later Aermacchi/Leonardo. Its conflict record ranges from Libyan-operated and Chadian-captured SF.260s in the Chadian-Libyan conflict to Sri Lankan close-air-support use, Chadian government ground attacks, and Philippine Air Force SF-260 attacks during Marawi.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- Sri Lankan government forces
Sri Lankan government forces used SF-260TP SIAI-Marchetti aircraft during the conflict with the LTTE; Sri Lanka Air Force histories describe the type supporting ground forces with close air support through 2000 and identify the SF-260TP as a light ground-attack aircraft capable of armed reconnaissance.
Chadian government forces used SF-260 light aircraft during the conflict with rebel forces; SIPRI notes Chadian SF-260s had been used for ground attacks, and Reuters reporting from Abeche described a Libyan-supplied Italian-made Marchetti aircraft shot down while attacking or reconnoitering rebel positions.
- Side
- Philippine government forces
Philippine forces used the SF-260 as an air-support and light-attack aircraft during the 2017 Battle of Marawi; AFP statements said it was deployed to support attack helicopters and ground troops, later resumed after a friendly-fire investigation, and Philippine News Agency reporting described SF-260s attacking terrorist targets and strongholds in the campaign.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Italy
- Built by
- SIAI-MarchettiAermacchiLeonardo
- Type
- Trainer and light attack aircraft
- Service note
- 1960s design; Philippine Air Force combat use documented in 2017
- Designer
- Stelio Frati
- Designed
- 1960s; first flight in 1964 and certification in 1966
- Produced
- 1960s-2010s
- Number built
- 900th aircraft delivered by 2012
Specifications
- Airframe / configuration
- Single-engine, low-wing, all-metal aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear in the EASA F260 type-certificate description
- Crew / seats
- Minimum flight crew of one pilot; EASA permits two passengers in utility-category piston F260 models, while AOPA summarizes the SF.260 as a three-seat aircraft
- Powerplant
- Lycoming O-540-E or AEIO-540-D piston engine on SF.260 variants; EASA and Jane's-derived references identify the SF-260TP with an Allison 250-B17D turboprop installation
- Fuel capacity
- EASA lists 243 L total fuel and 235 L usable fuel for piston F260-family models; AOPA summarizes this as 64 gal standard fuel and 62 gal usable
- Maximum speed
- About 200 mph in Singapore MINDEF SF-260 factsheet; AOPA lists 182 kt maximum level speed for the SF.260
- Range
- About 1,273 miles at 10,000 ft in Singapore MINDEF SF-260 factsheet
- Dimensions
- Length 23 ft 4 in; wingspan 27 ft 5 in; height 7 ft 11 in in AOPA SF.260 specifications
- Armament / stores
- Jane's-derived reference material describes the SF.260W Warrior with two or four underwing pylons for up to 300 kg / 661 lb of external stores; Philippine SF-260TP image notes describe two hardpoints for gun pods, 70 mm rocket launchers, or bomb racks
Variants
The SF-260 family spans civil F260 certification models, military trainers, armed Warrior aircraft, a single Sea Warrior maritime derivative, and the SF-260TP turboprop branch. Leonardo's public history emphasizes the SF-260E piston line, the SF-260TP, and the Warrior counterinsurgency configuration, while EASA and Jane's-derived references show the certified civil and military designation split.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| SF-260M | Military trainer baseline | Jane's-derived reference material describes the SF.260M as a two/three-seat military trainer first flown in 1970, with structural and aerodynamic changes that fed later models. |
| SF-260W Warrior | Armed counterinsurgency / light attack variant | Jane's-derived reference material describes the Warrior as a trainer/tactical-support aircraft with underwing pylons for external stores; Leonardo identifies it as a counterinsurgency-capable variant still in air-force service. Sources: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 - All the World's Aircraft, Alenia Aermacchi SF-260: 900 and still going strong |
| SF-260SW Sea Warrior | Maritime surveillance derivative | Jane's-derived reference material describes one aircraft completed as the SF.260SW Sea Warrior surveillance, search-and-rescue, and supply version. |
| SF-260TP | Turboprop trainer / light attack branch | Leonardo describes the SF-260TP as the turboprop branch of the family; EASA and Jane's-derived references identify the Allison 250-B17D installation and the TP's longer certified airframe. Sources: Alenia Aermacchi SF-260: 900 and still going strong, EASA.A.586 F260 Type-Certificate Data Sheet, SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TP - All the World's Aircraft |
| SF-260E / SF-260F | Later piston-engine production models | AOPA describes the E and F as later production models introduced after the D, while Leonardo calls the SF-260E and corresponding TP version the latest marketed versions in its 2012 family history. Sources: SIAI-Marchetti/Aermacchi SF.260, Alenia Aermacchi SF-260: 900 and still going strong |
Carried Stores
Armed SF-260 variants used compact underwing stores rather than an internal gun. The strongest catalog matches are for the 70 mm rocket-launcher and rocket side of the documented loadout.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 70 mm rocket launcher class | The Philippine SF-260TP image note identifies LAU-68/LAU-131 seven-tube launchers for 70 mm / 2.75-inch rockets; this class record is the closest existing catalog match for those launcher fits. |
 | 7-tube 70 mm rocket launcher | Jane's-derived SF.260W reference material lists two LAU-32 launchers, each carrying seven 2.75-inch rockets, among typical alternative external loads. |
 | 70 mm air-launched rocket | The Philippine SF-260TP image note names Hydra 70 as an example rocket for the aircraft's 70 mm launcher fit, and General Dynamics describes Hydra-70 as a 2.75-inch / 70 mm rocket family fired from seven- and 19-tube launchers. Sources: PAF SF-260 TP Light Attack Aircraft.jpg, HYDRA-70 Rocket | General Dynamics OTS |
Timeline
SF-260 Key Events
Prototype first flight
Jane's-derived reference material says the Frati-designed F.250 prototype first flew on 15 July 1964 before the SF.260 production line moved to SIAI-Marchetti.
Sources: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 - All the World's Aircraft
F260 certified in Italy
EASA's type-certificate data sheet lists 16 March 1966 as the national certification date for the F260 model.
Sources: EASA.A.586 F260 Type-Certificate Data Sheet
SF.260M military trainer flies
Jane's-derived reference material records 10 October 1970 as the first flight date for the SF.260M military trainer.
Sources: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 - All the World's Aircraft
SF-260TP turboprop branch introduced
Jane's-derived reference material describes the SF.260TP turboprop development as first flown in July 1980 with an Allison 250-B17D engine.
Sources: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TP - All the World's Aircraft
Aermacchi product line
Leonardo says the SF-260 became an Aermacchi product in 1997, when the design was rationalized for serial production and updated with training-oriented cockpit and systems changes.
Sources: Alenia Aermacchi SF-260: 900 and still going strong
900th SF-260 delivered
Leonardo announced delivery of the 900th SF-260 and described orders from 27 air forces, flying schools, aero clubs, and private customers.
Sources: Alenia Aermacchi SF-260: 900 and still going strong
Philippine SF-260s used at Marawi
Philippine reporting documented SF-260 aircraft used by government forces for air-support and light-attack missions during the Battle of Marawi.
Sources: AFP confirms SF-260 used in Marawi ops again, PH Air Force to get 4 more OV-10 bombers
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
AFP confirms SF-260 used in Marawi ops againPublisher: GMA News Online | Note: Supports 2017 Battle of Marawi direct use: SF-260 used by Philippine government forces as air support in Marawi operations and deployed to back attack helicopters and ground troops. | Accessed: 2026-07-01PH Air Force to get 4 more OV-10 bombersPublisher: Philippine News Agency | Note: Supports 2017 Battle of Marawi direct use: SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 aircraft were used by Philippine government forces in attacking terrorist targets and strongholds during the five-month 2017 Battle of Marawi campaign. | Accessed: 2026-07-01PAF training aircraft with 2 pilots crashes in BataanPublisher: Philippine News Agency | Note: Supports background and 2017 Battle of Marawi direct use: the SF-260TP was used by Philippine government forces during the 2017 Battle of Marawi and in various PAF combat missions. | Accessed: 2026-07-01The Pentagon Scooped Up Soviet Weapons in Chad in 1987 and '88Publisher: War Is Boring / Calameo | Note: Supports 1978 Chadian-Libyan Conflict direct use and capture context: the article documents Chadian forces capturing SF.260 light-strike aircraft at Fada, SF.260 aircraft shot down around Bir Koran and Ouadi-Doum, and Libyan equipment losses during the 1987 fighting. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Chad Air ForcePublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports 1978 Chadian-Libyan Conflict direct use: GlobalSecurity describes captured Italian SF-260 Marchetti aircraft from Ouadi-Doum and Fada being flown on reconnaissance missions and notes their ground-support and counterinsurgency potential. | Accessed: 2026-07-01LIBYA-CHAD CONFLICTPublisher: Central Intelligence Agency / FOIA Electronic Reading Room | Note: Supports 1978 Chadian-Libyan Conflict direct use: CIA reporting identified Libyan-controlled northern Chad deployments and listed SF.260 light-attack aircraft in the air order of battle at Ogoui. | Accessed: 2026-07-01SF.260 in military servicePublisher: SIAI-Marchetti.nl | Note: Supports 1978 Chadian-Libyan Conflict direct use: the operator history states Libyan SF.260WL aircraft were used for ground support of army troops during the border war with Chad and reports destroyed or captured SF.260s. | Accessed: 2026-07-01History of Sri Lanka Air Force - Flying Training WingPublisher: Sri Lanka Air Force | Note: Supports 1983 Sri Lankan Civil War direct use: the SLAF says the Flying Training Wing supported ground forces during the conflict with the LTTE using SF-260TP SIAI-Marchetti aircraft for close air support. | Accessed: 2026-07-01SLAF History: Technical ExcellencePublisher: Sri Lanka Air Force | Note: Supports 1983 Sri Lankan Civil War direct use: the SLAF describes the SF260TP as a light ground-attack aircraft capable of armed reconnaissance and ties urgent weapons training to North/Eastern theatre conflict requirements. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Arms flows to the conflict in ChadPublisher: SIPRI | Note: Supports 2005 Chadian Civil War direct use: SIPRI states that Chadian SF-260 light aircraft had been used for ground attacks in the conflict context and describes foreign arms flows to Chad. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Chad rebels shot down government planePublisher: Sudan Tribune / Reuters | Note: Supports 2005 Chadian Civil War direct use: Reuters reporting carried by Sudan Tribune says rebels claimed they shot down a Chadian government military aircraft attacking their positions near Abeche and diplomats identified it as an Italian-made Marchetti aircraft recently made available by Libya. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Alenia Aermacchi SF-260: 900 and still going strongPublisher: Leonardo | Note: Supports manufacturer and background context: Alenia Aermacchi/Leonardo describes the SF-260 family, SF-260TP variant, designer Stelio Frati, 1966 certification, and delivery of the 900th aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Factsheet - SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 SpecificationsPublisher: Singapore Ministry of Defence / National Archives of Singapore | Note: Supports SF-260 specifications including engine type, speed, range, and broad operator context including the Philippines. | Accessed: 2026-07-01EASA.A.586 F260 Type-Certificate Data SheetPublisher: European Union Aviation Safety Agency | Note: Supports certified F260/SF260TP model structure, Leonardo type-certificate holder record, national certification date, dimensions, seating, engines, propellers, fuel capacity, and operating categories. | Accessed: 2026-07-01SIAI-Marchetti/Aermacchi SF.260Publisher: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association | Note: Supports supplemental SF.260 specifications, including dimensions, seating, engine family, maximum level speed, service ceiling, and performance data based on manufacturer calculations. | Accessed: 2026-07-01SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 - All the World's AircraftPublisher: All the World's Aircraft / Jane's-derived reference | Note: Supports prototype first flight, SIAI-Marchetti production background, SF.260M, SF.260W Warrior, SF.260SW Sea Warrior, and piston-family armament/stores details. | Accessed: 2026-07-01SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TP - All the World's AircraftPublisher: All the World's Aircraft / Jane's-derived reference | Note: Supports SF.260TP first-flight timing, turboprop development relationship, Allison 250-B17D powerplant, and three-blade Hartzell propeller details. | Accessed: 2026-07-01HYDRA-70 Rocket | General Dynamics OTSPublisher: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | Note: Supports Hydra-70 as a 2.75-inch / 70 mm rocket family fired from seven- and 19-tube launchers and mountable on fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Philippine Air Force SF-260 - Front-Left Side View.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary SF-260 image; the file page identifies a Philippine Air Force SF-260 at the PhAF Aerospace Museum and CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-01SF 260 MARCHETTI.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Philippine Air Force Aermacchi SF-260; the file page lists Philippine Air Force authorship and public-domain status under Philippine government-work rules. | Accessed: 2026-07-01PAF SF-260 TP Light Attack Aircraft.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Philippine Air Force SF-260TP light attack aircraft; the file page describes hardpoint options including machine-gun pods, LAU-68/LAU-131 seven-tube launchers, 70 mm rockets, Hydra 70, and bomb racks, and lists public-domain status under Philippine government-work rules. | Accessed: 2026-07-01