Lockheed Martin A-4AR Fightinghawk

History of the Lockheed Martin A-4AR Warhawk

From 1996 to 1999, Lockheed Martin converted 36 A-4M Skyhawk fighter-bombers to the newer A-4AR Fighting Eagle standard for the Argentine Air Force. Argentina received deliveries of the A-4P and A-4Q models in the mid-1960s, becoming the first export customer of McDonnell Douglas products. A prototype first flew in December 1997, followed by 32 fighter/ground attack aircraft (A-4AR) and four two-seat trainers (OA-4AR).

Despite a steady reduction in the number of active-duty inventories of the Argentine Air Force over the years, it remains "active".

The origins of Fightinghawk can be traced back to the 1980s, when the South American powers were hit by a deteriorating political and economic situation - especially when they went to war with Britain in the 1982 Falklands War. As a result, procuring modern but expensive aircraft proved daunting, with a few exceptionsprimarily buying used combat platforms from anywhere other than the US and the UK. This led to a hodgepodge of aging units until 1989, when the Pro-U.S. agenda was set with the incoming Argentine government.

This in turn led to an agreement between the United States and Argentina to upgrade the Argentine Air Force's Skyhawk inventory to more modern combat standards. The work was done by Lockheed Martin, an American industrial company that introduced the F-16 Fighting Falcon avionics and other changes to the light fighter-bomber - dubbing the improved aircraft the "Fightinghawk."

Design changes include a new ejection seat, improvements to the Pratt & Whitney J52P turbojet, new pilot helmet and airborne countermeasures (CM) kit, modern jamming equipment, installation of modern avionics, head-up display (HUD) ), new inertial navigation system (INS), identification friend or foe system (IFF), hand throttle and stick (HOTAS) cockpit controls, color CRT cockpit screens, ARG-1 radar equipment (APG-66 series), etc. The process includes the delivery of the A-4AR ground pilot training simulator.

When completed, the A-4AR has an empty weight of 10,800 lbs and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 24,500 lbs. Power comes from a Pratt & Whitney J52P-408A turbojet engine with 11,200 pounds of thrust, propelling the aircraft to a speed of 670 miles per hour, with a range of up to 2,000 miles and a range of 42,250 feet.

Climb rate reached 8,440 feet per minute. Armament remains the original 2 x 20mm Colt Mk 12 inner cannon with five external cradles to carry rockets, rocket pods and bombs.

Lockheed Martin completed eight Warhawks in the continental United States, while the rest of the aircraft batches were modified locally in Argentina. The first was introduced in August 1998 and the last in March 2000, and once in service, they quickly replaced the obsolete stock of aging Skyhawk B and C models.

The careers of these aircraft were rather quiet, as they were mainly involved in local exercises and non-combat operations. In early 2016, due to emerging issues (mainly age-related), it was announced that the fleet would be retired/mothurized for the foreseeable future.

Many ended up in storage, and the rest were in seaworthy condition. Two A-4ARs were also lost in the accident, as was another OA-4AR.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes