Lockheed Martin A-4AR Fightinghawk

Lockheed Martin · United States · first flew 1997 · fighter

The A-4AR Fightinghawk is a modernised variant of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk updated for the Argentine Air Force by Lockheed Martin in the late 1990s. It retains the distinctive delta wing of the original but features updated avionics and weapons systems.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, delta
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Single-seat attack jet with humped fuselage
T — Tail	Cruciform

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Small delta wing with a cruciform tail
Single-seat attack jet with humped fuselage
Argentine air force modernised A-4 Skyhawk

Identified by the clipped-delta wing, single ventral intake, and distinctive dorsal avionics hump behind the cockpit. Very similar in outline to earlier A-4 variants.

Specifications

The Lockheed Martin A-4AR Fightinghawk has a length of 12.3 m (40 ft).
It has a wingspan of 8.38 m (27 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1080 km/h (671 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Argentina operated A-4 Skyhawks from the 1960s and sought a mid-life upgrade following combat experience in the 1982 Falklands War. Lockheed Martin delivered refurbished and upgraded airframes from 1997, incorporating new radar, cockpit displays, and navigation systems. The programme extended the type's service life well into the 21st century.

Variants

The A-4AR is essentially a rebuilt A-4M airframe; a two-seat OA-4AR trainer variant was also produced for the programme.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Argentine Air Force from December 1997; 36 were converted, and the type was retired on 15 May 2026.

Related aircraft

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