Well, yes, back then, I was pointing to Esterline CMC's "cockpit 4000" upgrade package:
SparrowHawk HUD; UFCP and 3 x MFD (3"x5") for front and rear cockpits (the rear central
MFD can serve as HUD repeater); all driven by a duo of Esterline CMC FV-4000 computers,
which (naturally) interfaces with AHRS, INS, etc., to shunt digital mapping to an MFD. The
FV-4000 OS is ARINC-653 compatible, and supports ARINC-429 interfacing (in addition to
to other interface compatibilities, like 1553/1760, etc).
tl;dr Aermacchi used Esterline CMC's kit to turn an S-211 cockpit into an M-311 cockpit.
Old PAF S-211 panel (image: PUG)
Bottom line is that upgrading and sustaining the S-211 provides at least 3 BJT platforms,
in order to conserve FA-50 airframe/engine life for AJT duty --let the non fastjet-inclined
wash out on a cheaper platform like the S-211. Then there's the non-training mission of
FA-50 to consider, and the need to wisely-use its flight hours gains more importance.
I didn't keep up with the engine overhaul, ejection seat rocket replacement, and other
projects for PAF's venerable S-211 's, but I hope they were sufficient: it's been a decade
since a cockpit upgrade was being discussed on timawa, and even THEN, engine TBO
and overall TTAF were nagging concerns.
https://www.esterline.com/Portals/17/Documents/en-us/fv4000.pdf
