Zarvan
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26 August 2015
The FAA plans to upgrade 20 of its IA-58 Pucara ground attack aircraft to IA-58H standard. The most obvious physical difference will be a new four-bladed propeller in place of the current three-bladed system. Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2020. Source: Argentine Air Force
Argentina has begun ground trials of an upgraded variant of the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) Pucara counterinsurgency light strike aircraft designated the IA-58H, IHS Jane's has learned.
A testbed aircraft (serial A-561) underwent ground-based engine tests at the FAdeA plant in Cordoba, northern Argentina, on 24 August, a source said. The work is being done under the wider IA-58H upgrade effort for the Pucara, previously known as the FAS1160 programme.
A newsletter issued by FAdeA in July reveals the twin-turboprop IA-58H is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-62 engines with four-bladed propellers in place of the incumbent Turbomeca Astazou XVIG units with three-bladed propellers. This new powerplant is also used in the Korean Aerospace Industries KT-1, the Pilatus PC-9, and the PZL-130TC Orlik.
Another enhancement for the IA-58H is the integration of modern avionics for compatibility with the FAdeA IA-63 Pampa advanced jet trainer and light attack jet. This new avionics suite includes a multifunctional display screen in each cockpit, hand-on-throttle-and-stick controls, cockpit and engine armour, modern communications systems, and the replacement of obsolete parts.
FAdeA is being aided in its engine modernisation work by Israel Aerospace Industries, while Elbit Systems is involved in the avionics upgrade.
A total of 60 two-seat Pucaras were originally ordered by the Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina: FAA), with deliveries commencing in 1975. After deliveries of this batch were complete, 48 more aircraft were ordered and received by the end of 1986.
Of the 108 Pucaras received, 24 were lost during the Falklands/Malvinas War in 1982 (either shot down, destroyed on the ground, or captured), while eight were transferred to Uruguay and four to Sri Lanka.
While the FAA has just 15 Pucaras in its inventory listed as being airworthy, it intends to upgrade a total of 20 aircraft to IA-58H standard by 2020. Once modernised, these aircraft should remain in service through to 2045.
Although an old airframe, the Pucara remains a highly potent ground attack platform. With a payload of 1,500 kg, it is armed with two 20 mm Hispano DCA-804 cannons (each with 270 rounds) located in the underside of forward fuselage; four 7.62 mm FN Browning M2-30 machine guns (each with 900 rounds) in the sides of fuselage abreast of the cockpit; and can carry a range of bombs, cluster bombs, incendiaries, mines, torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, camera pod(s), and/or auxiliary fuel tank(s).
The Pucara has a top speed of 405 kt (750 km/h; 466 mph), a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 ft, and a lo-lo-lo combat radius of 121 n miles (224 km; 139 miles) with a full weapons load.
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Argentina progresses Pucara upgrade with ground-based engine tests - IHS Jane's 360
The FAA plans to upgrade 20 of its IA-58 Pucara ground attack aircraft to IA-58H standard. The most obvious physical difference will be a new four-bladed propeller in place of the current three-bladed system. Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2020. Source: Argentine Air Force
Argentina has begun ground trials of an upgraded variant of the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) Pucara counterinsurgency light strike aircraft designated the IA-58H, IHS Jane's has learned.
A testbed aircraft (serial A-561) underwent ground-based engine tests at the FAdeA plant in Cordoba, northern Argentina, on 24 August, a source said. The work is being done under the wider IA-58H upgrade effort for the Pucara, previously known as the FAS1160 programme.
A newsletter issued by FAdeA in July reveals the twin-turboprop IA-58H is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-62 engines with four-bladed propellers in place of the incumbent Turbomeca Astazou XVIG units with three-bladed propellers. This new powerplant is also used in the Korean Aerospace Industries KT-1, the Pilatus PC-9, and the PZL-130TC Orlik.
Another enhancement for the IA-58H is the integration of modern avionics for compatibility with the FAdeA IA-63 Pampa advanced jet trainer and light attack jet. This new avionics suite includes a multifunctional display screen in each cockpit, hand-on-throttle-and-stick controls, cockpit and engine armour, modern communications systems, and the replacement of obsolete parts.
FAdeA is being aided in its engine modernisation work by Israel Aerospace Industries, while Elbit Systems is involved in the avionics upgrade.
A total of 60 two-seat Pucaras were originally ordered by the Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina: FAA), with deliveries commencing in 1975. After deliveries of this batch were complete, 48 more aircraft were ordered and received by the end of 1986.
Of the 108 Pucaras received, 24 were lost during the Falklands/Malvinas War in 1982 (either shot down, destroyed on the ground, or captured), while eight were transferred to Uruguay and four to Sri Lanka.
While the FAA has just 15 Pucaras in its inventory listed as being airworthy, it intends to upgrade a total of 20 aircraft to IA-58H standard by 2020. Once modernised, these aircraft should remain in service through to 2045.
Although an old airframe, the Pucara remains a highly potent ground attack platform. With a payload of 1,500 kg, it is armed with two 20 mm Hispano DCA-804 cannons (each with 270 rounds) located in the underside of forward fuselage; four 7.62 mm FN Browning M2-30 machine guns (each with 900 rounds) in the sides of fuselage abreast of the cockpit; and can carry a range of bombs, cluster bombs, incendiaries, mines, torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, camera pod(s), and/or auxiliary fuel tank(s).
The Pucara has a top speed of 405 kt (750 km/h; 466 mph), a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 ft, and a lo-lo-lo combat radius of 121 n miles (224 km; 139 miles) with a full weapons load.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(456 of 572 words)
Argentina progresses Pucara upgrade with ground-based engine tests - IHS Jane's 360
