FMA IA 58 Pucará
IA 58 Pucará | |
---|---|
An IA 58 Pucará of the Argentine Air Force | |
Role | Counter-insurgency aircraft |
National origin | Argentina |
Manufacturer | Fábrica Militar de Aviones
|
First flight | 20 August 1969 |
Introduction | May 1975 |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Argentine Air Force Sri Lanka Air Force (historical) Uruguayan Air Force (historical) |
Produced | 1974–1993 |
Number built | 110 |
The FMA IA 58 Pucará (
Development
In August 1966 the Argentine state aircraft factory,
Testing of the glider showed no major handling problems, and in September 1968, construction began on a powered prototype, given the designation FMA IA 58 Delfín, but later renamed Pucará, to be powered by a pair of 674
At least three projects were related to the IA-58 development. The first was an extended Pucará airframe with pressurized cabin for six passengers, equipped with Astafan turbofan engines for light transport and photography duties. The second was an observation and reconnaissance aircraft having the same configuration as the
Design
The IA 58 Pucará is of conventional, all-metal (mainly
Armour plating is fitted to protect the crew and engines from ground fire.
The Pucará was designed for operations from short, rough airstrips.[8] The retractable tricycle landing gear, with a single nosewheel and twin mainwheels retracting into the engine nacelles, is fitted with low pressure tyres to suit operations on rough ground, while the undercarriage legs are tall to give good clearance for underslung weapons loads.[7] Three JATO rockets can be fitted under the fuselage to allow extra short takeoffs.[5] Fuel is fed from two fuselage tanks of combined capacity of 800 L (180 imp gal; 210 US gal) and two self-sealing tanks of 460 L (100 imp gal; 120 US gal) in the wings. The undercarriage, flaps and brakes are operated hydraulically, with no pneumatic systems.[5] The spring suspension system is like the one used in the Junkers Ju 88, while the tail has a T configuration to improve take-off.[9]
Fixed armament of the Pucará is about comparable with WWII era aircraft, directly comparable with the layout used in the German Bf 110.[citation needed] It consists of two Hispano 804 20 mm cannons mounted under the cockpit with 270 rounds each and four 7.62 mm Browning FN machine guns mounted on the sides of the fuselage with 900 rounds each. Three hardpoints are fitted for carrying external stores single or in clusters (as example up to six bombs under the fuselage or two rockets under each wing) such as bombs, rockets or external fuel tanks, with one of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) capacity mounted under the fuselage and the remaining two, of 500 kg (1,100 lb) capacity beneath the wings. Maximum external weapons load is 1,620 kg (3,570 lb).[5][10] Onboard armaments are aimed by a simple reflector sight.[11]
Operational history
The first units were delivered in May 1975 to the
1982 Falklands war
By the time of the
Most aircraft used in combat were armed with unguided bombs,
Three Pucarás were destroyed and one of their pilots killed at
On 21 May a Pucará was lost to a
Up to 161 4.5 in (113 mm) shells, fired by the frigate HMS Arrow, struck the airfield at Goose Green on 28 May. Arrow was assisting 2 Parachute Regiment as it attempted to retake the area. These shells reportedly destroyed two Pucarás at the airfield.[citation needed]
Two Pucarás shot down a Royal Marines Scout helicopter with 7.62 mm machine gun fire on 28 May, while it was on a casualty evacuation mission during the Battle of Goose Green. This was the only confirmed Argentine air-to-air victory of the war.[23] One of these Pucarás crashed into Blue Mountain on the return flight to Port Stanley and was destroyed—the body of the pilot (Lt Miguel Gimenez) was found in 1986, and was buried with military honours at Port Darwin by his family, the first Argentine relatives to visit the Falklands since the end of the war.[24]
Also on the 28 May 2 Para shot down a Pucará with small arms fire after it launched rockets on British troops (without causing any casualties), during the Battle of Goose Green. Lt Miguel Cruzado ejected and became a POW.[25]
Captured aircraft
After the Argentine surrender, eleven Pucarás (four of them in flying condition) were captured by British forces. Six were taken back to the United Kingdom. The current disposition of the six taken is as follows:
- A-515 (ZD485) – Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.[26]
- A-517 – Privately owned. Offered for sale "for parts only" in 2018 in Asheville, North Carolina, US.[27]
- A-522 (8768M) – North East Aircraft Museum (on loan from the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton).[28]
- A-528 (8769M) – Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop).[29]
- A-533 (ZD486) – Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (Cockpit Section only).[30]
- A-549 (ZD487) – Imperial War Museum Duxford.[31]
Sri Lankan Civil War
The
Upgrades
In May 1982, at the peak of the Falklands War, the Argentine Air Force, in collaboration with the Navy, outfitted a prototype, AX-04, with pylons to mount Mark 13 torpedoes. The aim was its possible production as a torpedo bomber to enhance the anti-ship capabilities of the Argentine air forces. Several trials were performed off Puerto Madryn, over Golfo Nuevo, but the war ended before the technicians could evaluate the feasibility of the project.[38]
Several attempts were made to upgrade the entire fleet, including the Pucará Charlie conversion, Pucará 2000 and Pucará Bravo (modernization of 40 units was ordered and later cancelled by the FAA; only one unit was converted). These were cancelled during the 1980s due to shortage of funds.[citation needed]
The Uruguayan Air Force updated its fleet with the incorporation of Litton LTN-211 and GPS omega navigation systems. Minor structure modifications were made in order to carry the Mk. 82 Snakeye bomb and 1000-litre drop tank. Other avionics incorporated were the WX-500 Stormscope by L3 Communications and LED Sandel SN3500 backlit display navigation.[39]
In 2007 an IA-58 of the Argentine Air Force was converted to carry a modified engine operating on soy-derived bio-jet fuel. The project, financed and directed by the Argentine Government (Secretaría de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación Productiva de la Nación), made Argentina the second nation in the world to propel an aircraft with biojet fuel. The project's intention was to make the FAA less reliant on fossil fuels.[40]
Since 2009 an extensive upgrade of the avionics and major overhaul of the airframes has been carried out by the FAA and FAdeA, creating the IA-58D Pucará Delta. The avionics for the cockpit are as close as possible to the FMA IA-63 Pampa Phase II. Some of the updated components include a new set of communications hardware, DME, ELT, IFF, GPS, EADI, EHSI, RWR, HUD, DEFA 554 cannon and new PT6A-62 950shp engine instead of the original Turbomeca Astazou. The overhaul is intended to keep Argentinian Pucarás in use until 2045.[41] Bureaucratic and economic issues caused delays to the conversion of the entire fleet. The Uruguayan Air Force also showed interest in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) program and installation of new engines offered by FAdeA.[42]
As of April 2016,
In 2019 Argentina retired the Pucará from counterinsurgency light strike operation, converting it to the Pucará Fénix border surveillance and patrol aircraft, with improved Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-62 engines, new four-bladed propellers, a podded Fixview electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, and datalink.[44] The upgrade was authorised in December 2021, with the Fénix expected to be in operation for at least 15 years.[45]
Failed contracts
The Peruvian Air Force was reported in mid 1972 to have shown great interest in acquiring up to 25 IA-58A for delivery in 1974.[46]
The first foreign contract was in February 1978 with the
In March 1983, negotiations for two Pucarás were going with Central African Republic Air Force for US$9.5 million including support, training and spare parts. The contract was cancelled.[47]
In September 1983, another contract was signed, this time with the Venezuelan Air Force for 24 IA-58A equipped with Garrett TPE331-11-601W turboprop engines, at U$110 million. Venezuela cancelled the purchase order. A number of OV-10A Broncos were negotiated and later incorporated from the USAF stocks instead, with credit facilities.[47]
In March 1985, a new contract with the Iraqi Air Force, which was later disbanded due political foreign issues, was signed with Iraq for 20 IA-58A with 20 more on option for U$76 million.[47]
In May 1986 the Bolivian Air Force requested 12 IA-58A for U$52 million, with no purchase orders placed.[47]
Iran negotiated 60 IA-58A for U$283 million by April 1987 and at the end of that year a new deal for 50 planes at U$160 million with no purchase orders ever placed.[47]
In November 1987, six Pucarás were negotiated with the Force Aérienne Zairoise for US$26.7 million, contract cancelled.[47]
In 1990 the Brazilian Air Force announced a purchase of 30 IA-58A as part of the project SIVAM. But with the development of the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, the order was cancelled.[48]
In 1991 a purchase order was negotiated by the Paraguayan Air Force for four IA-58A at U$10.6 million but later disregarded.[47]
Variants
- AX-02 Delfín: Prototype.
- AX-04: A torpedo-carrying prototype.[38]
- IA-58A Pucará: Two-seat counter-insurgency, close air support, attack aircraft. Main production version.[49] To be retired September 2019.[50]
- IA-58B Pucará Bravo: Modified two-seat counter-insurgency aircraft, with deeper forward fuselage, allowing the 20 mm Hispano cannon to be replaced by two 30 mm DEFA cannons, and with more advanced avionics. One prototype aircraft converted from IA-58A first flew on 15 May 1979.[49][51][52]
- IA-58C Pucará Charlie: Single-seat version designed to take advantage of lessons learned during the Falklands War, with increased capability in anti-shipping and anti-helicopter missions. Forward cockpit removed, with additional 30 mm DEFA cannon supplementing existing gun armament, and capability to carry Matra
- IA-58D Pucará Delta: Current program modernisation of existing IA-58A airframes, featuring new avionics systems and 950 shp (710 kW) PT6A-62 Pratt & Whitney engines.[56] Also noted as IA-58H. Program restarted in June 2019 with certification planned in July 2019.[50]
- IA-66: Modification of IA-58A powered by two 1,000-ehp (746-kW)
- IA-58 Pucará Fénix:[57] In 2019 Argentina retired the Pucará from counterinsurgency light strike operation, converting it to the Pucará Fénix border surveillance and patrol aircraft.[44] The upgrade was authorised in December 2021, with the Fénix expected to be in operation for at least 15 years.[45]
Operators
Current operators
Former operators
- Colombian Air Force
- Sri Lanka Air Force (1993–1999, 2 shot down, 2 retired)[58][59]
- RAF museum).[60]
- Uruguayan Air Force. Retired 2017.[61]
Specifications
Data from Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994–95[62]
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Length: 14.25 m (46 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 14.50 m (47 ft 7 in)
- Height: 5.36 m (17 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 30.30 m2 (326.1 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.9:1
- Airfoil: NACA 642A215 at root, NACA641 at tip
- Empty weight: 4,020 kg (8,863 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,800 kg (14,991 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 1,280 L (280 imp gal; 340 US gal) internal, up to 1,736 L (382 imp gal; 459 US gal) in external tanks
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Astazou XVIG turboprop, 729 kW (978 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 500 km/h (310 mph, 270 kn) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)[63]
- Cruise speed: 430 km/h (270 mph, 230 kn) at 6,000 ft (1,800 m) (econ cruise)
- Stall speed: 143 km/h (89 mph, 77 kn) (flaps and undercarriage down)
- Never exceed speed: 750 km/h (470 mph, 400 kn)
- Combat range: 350 km (220 mi, 190 nmi) (Combat radius with 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) weapons, High-low-high profile)
- Ferry range: 3,710 km (2,310 mi, 2,000 nmi) max internal and external fuel
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- g limits: +6/-3 g
- Rate of climb: 18 m/s (3,500 ft/min)
Armament
- Guns:
- 2× 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.804 autocannons
- 4× 7.62 mm FN Browning machine guns
- Hardpoints: 3 with a capacity of centerline 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), wing pylons 500 kg (1,100 lb), total external stores 1,620 kg (3,570 lb)[5]
- Rockets:
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Air International October 1977, p. 166.
- ^ Donald World Air Power Journal Volume 6, p. 137.
- ^ Donald World Air Power Journal Volume 6, pp. 137–138.
- ^ Air International October 1977, pp. 166–167.
- ^ a b c d e f g Taylor 1982, p. 4.
- ^ Historia de la Industria Aereonaútica Argentina, Halbritter, Francisco, Biblioteca Nacional de Aereonáutica, Tomo II, 2006
- ^ a b Donald World Air Power Journal Volume 6, p. 138.
- ^ Air International October 1977, pp. 167–168.
- ^ Modern Air Combat, Gunston, B, Spick M, Salamander Books Ltd, 1983
- ^ Air International October 1977, pp. 170–171.
- ^ Donald World Air Power Journal Volume 6, p. 139.
- ^ Air International October 1977, p. 167.
- ^ Huertas Air International April 1996, p. 248.
- ^ Burden et al. 1986, p. 95.
- ^ Burden et al. 1986, pp. 95, 97.
- ^ Huertas Air International April 1996, pp. 248–249.
- ^ "List of Argentine Aircraft Destroyed". Retrieved 2009-11-06.
- ^ San Carlos Air Battles – Falklands War 1982. Naval-history.net. Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
- ^ "Major Carlos Tomba's Pucara". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ "Lost Argentine Pucara found". Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ISBN 0-02-536300-X
- ISBN 1-84018-356-X
- ^ "Argentine aircraft and successes against British ships". Naval-History.net.
- ^ "One of their aircraft is missing". Archived from the original on 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
- ^ "List of Argentine Aircraft Destroyed". Retrieved 8 Jan 2010.
- ^ Photos: FMA IA-58A Pucara Aircraft Pictures. Airliners.net (2010-02-14). Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
- ^ "A-517 fighting plane for parts only". craigslist. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018.
- ^ Photos: FMA IA-58A Pucara Aircraft Pictures. Airliners.net (2006-11-18). Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
- ^ Photos: FMA IA-58A Pucara Aircraft Pictures. Airliners.net (1992-07-12). Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
- ^ Photos: FMA IA-58A Pucara Aircraft Pictures. Airliners.net (2005-01-20). Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
- ^ Photos: FMA IA-58A Pucara Aircraft Pictures. Airliners.net (2008-08-22). Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
- ^ "Bravery All throughout his career". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ Cooper, Tom (2003-10-29). "Sri Lanka, since 1971". Indian-Subcontinent Database. ACIG. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
- ^ "Secessionists Down Sri Lanka Fighter; Thousands Flee Battles". New York Times. 14 July 1995.
- ^ "The Island - Features". www.island.lk. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Bravery". Archived from the original on December 16, 2014.
- ^ Ratwatte, Suren. "The Pucará at war". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ ISBN 987-20774-4-4. (in Spanish)
- ^ "Buscar interdefensa.argentinaforo.net". interdefensa.argentinaforo.net. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ Arias, Daniel (30 March 2007). "Un avión argentino voló movido a soja". La Nacion.
- ^ Avion Revue Magazine, N°158, April, 2013
- ^ Infodefensa.com (14 October 2013). "Error 404 - Infodefensa". Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Could Argentine Trainer Family Boost Fadea's Fortunes?". Aviation Week. 1 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Rivas, Santiago (9 October 2019). "Argentina re-roles Pucara from light strike to surveillance". Janes.
- ^ a b c Meier, Ricardo (14 December 2021). "Argentina starts updating Pucará turboprop to 'Fénix' standard". Air Data News.
- ^ Air Enthusiast June 1972
- ^ a b c d e f g h IA-58A Pucará, Colección Fabrica Militar de Aviones-Fuerza Aerea Argentina N°3, Cettolo, Mosquera & Nuñez Padín, Jorge Nuñez Padín Editores, 1999
- ^ Roger Ferreira (16 de março de 1990). Menem atrai onda de azar na Argentina Folha de S.Paulo
- ^ a b c d Chant 1987, p. 402
- ^ a b "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Janes.com.
- ISSN 0306-5634.
- ^ a b Donald World Air Power Journal Volume 6, p. 141.
- ^ Donald World Air Power Journal Volume 6, pp. 141–144.
- ISSN 0015-3710.
- ^ Combat Aircraft Magazine, Oct–Nov 1999, Vol.2, N°5
- ^ "El avión A-588 Pucará recibe su permiso final de vuelo tras su modernización". infodefensa.com. 20 December 2011.
- ^ "IA-58 Pucará Fénix" (in Spanish). FAdeA S.A. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Old Wings New Wings - Sri Lanka Air Force". www.airforce.lk. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Sri_Lanka". Archived from the original on 2015-05-03. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
- ^ INDIVIDUAL HISTORY. FMA 1A 58 PUCARA A-515/ZD485/9245M. MUSEUM ACCESSION NUMBER 83/A/1159. rafmuseum.org.uk
- ^ "Un Adiós… ¡Con orgullo!" [Goodbye… Proudly!] (in Spanish). Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017.
- ^ Michell 1994, pp. 2–4.
- ^ Taylor 1982, p. 5.
- ^ "Proyecto Pragmalia: 117. Fabricación de Coheteras Mamboreta ARM 657A". 25 June 2009.
- ^ "Pucará – El Fortín Charrúa".
Bibliography
- Burden, Rodney A.; Draper, Michael I; Rough, Douglas A.; Smith, Colin R.; Wilton, Davis L. (1986). Falklands: The Air War. British Aviation Research Group. ISBN 0-906339-05-7.
- Chant, Chris (1987). Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware. Routledge. ISBN 0-7102-0720-4.
- Donald, David (Summer 1991). "FMA IA-58 Pucará: Pampas Warrior". World Air Power Journal (Volume 6). London: Aerospace Publishing: 136–145. )
- Huertas, Salvador Mafé (April 1996). "Pucara's Wrong War". Air International. Vol. 50, no. 4. pp. 248–251.
- "Latin American Flying 'Fortress': Argentina's IA 58 Pucará". Air International. Vol. 13, no. 4. October 1977. pp. 165–172.
- Michell, Simon (1994). Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994–1995. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
- ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.