FMA SAIA 90
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FMA SAIA 90 | |
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An artist's impression of FMA SAIA 90 | |
Role | Air superiority fighter |
Manufacturer | FMA
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Status | Cancelled |
Primary user | Argentine Air Force |
Number built | 0 |
The FMA SAIA 90 was a cancelled
Development
By 1980 the Fabrica Militar de Aviones and Dornier had an ongoing relationship as a result of the combined development of the IA 63, and both were considered a cooperative agreement for the production of future airplanes. This agreement called to both parties to establish a common office in the city of Córdoba, Argentina within the year for the production, marketing and associated support services of their products.
The development of a trainer was the first of three steps in
The German maker produced a series of preliminary designs, which contemplated various aspects for a combat aircraft, which the air force could then adopt to its own requirements.
The
Design
The Dornier studies included analyses of the basic requirements, including air combat under anticipated operative conditions, and taking into account the characteristics of likely weapons.
According to the analysis the aircraft should be capable of a sustained maneuvering speed of Mach 0.9 at an altitude of 6000 m; quick acceleration from Mach 0.9 to 1.5 at 9000 m, high deceleration, independent of the relative speed; reasonable combat autonomy with integral fuel tanks; and minimal radar and infrared signatures (Stealth).
Possible armament included:
- 1 Mauser 27mm gun with 150 rounds.
- 2 AAM InfraRed (AIM-9 Sidewinder class)
- 4 AAM radar-guided (AIM-120 AMRAAM class).
- Up to 5000 kg of air-to-surface munitions.
The avionics
The air-to-air radar was to be able to detect a 5 m2 target at a distance of 90 km without being detected by enemy ECM, and track 6 targets that could be identified with IFF. For air-to-ground attacks, the radar was to be able to map the terrain.
Configuration
Although it was desirable to achieve a combination of the advantages that a heavily loaded delta wing with low weight offers; the trans-sonic/subsonic turn rate, longitudinal stability and short field characteristics desired were impossible to combine into a single wing design.
The opposing solution of commitment for the pattern, was the continuation of the border of attack of the wings that generated a vortex of high energy and it improved the aerodynamic yield notably in big angles of incidence. Another characteristic of the design was the artificial longitudinal stability that allowed equilibrating the airplane by means of the application of positive forces on the line planes.
This way a direct wing was configured with big arrow angles, continuations in the union wing-fuselage and a double derives located before the stabilizers that it keeps certain likeness to the
Engines were two turbofan of 5600 kg of thrust (possibly General Electric F404). Maximum speed was to be around Mach 2. Empty weight was to be 7.800 kg. This relatively low value would be achieved by means of the use of compound materials. The experience of
Stages of Project
The three stages of the project were:
- The T-6 Texan II.
- The IA 67 Cordoba, a light attack bomber project that remained unbuilt.
- The SAIA 90, an air superiority aircraft with radar cross-section).
Partners
By the middle of 1980
It was evident that the factory could not complete the project by itself; it maintained diverse contacts, such as Aermacchi-Aeritalia, McDonnell Douglas and Fairchild, with the intention of attracting a partner with whom to share the project.
Although the intention of the air force was to add
Another possibility was explored then with Aeritalia-Aermacchi, but the financial problems that it crossed the country they made finally abandon the project.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 10.95 m (35 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 30 m2 (320 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 7,800 kg (17,196 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 14,500 kg (31,967 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × afterburning turbofan
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.25
- Range: 3,380 km (2,100 mi, 1,830 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 m (49,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 250 m/s (49,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 266.67 kg/m2 (54.62 lb/sq ft)
Gallery
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Artist drawing of a SAIA-90 flying over El Palomar
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Artist drawing of a SAIA-90 flying over Buenos Aires
See also
Related development
- IA 63 Pampa
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
- JF-17 Thunder
- IAI Lavi
- Novi Avion
Related lists