The advanced trainer aircraft represent the high-end category within trainer aircraft, primarily used for military flight personnel training regarding advanced flight maneuvering techniques and initial tactical training missions. The advanced trainer aircraft involve multiple specialized domains, such as military flight training, pilot development, flight crew cultivation, use of new aviation weaponry, and combat support. These aircraft are characterized by significant flight training and technological risks, high economic requirements, and lengthy development cycles. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate viable development roadmaps for the high-quality development of these aircraft. This study examines the importance in developing the advanced trainer aircraft, summarizes their development courses in China and abroad, and identifies several key technologies in their design and deployment. These technologies include conceptual design, aerodynamic design, engine selection, flight safety assurance, trainer's cockpit design and control systems, ground-based integrated training, as well as air-ground integrated and airborne embedded training systems. The analysis further addresses prevailing challenges in the current development. It is proposed that development of the advanced trainer aircraft must serve the combat capability generation for new aviation weaponry, requirements for military aviation flight training, cultivation of military aviation talents, and enhancement of training and operational capabilities for military aviation units. Corresponding development recommendations are provided, including establishing and optimizing a comprehensive development plan and model family for the advanced trainer aircraft; establishing a robust mechanism for collaborative development; sustaining efforts in the research, production, and service support of the aircraft; deepening pre-research in advanced trainer aircraft development and flight training methodologies; promoting the integration of artificial intelligence; and developing small- and medium-thrust aero-engine technologies.