FMA IA-63 Pampa

Fábrica Argentina de Aviones · Argentina · first flew 1984 · fighter

The FMA IA-63 Pampa is Argentina's indigenously developed jet trainer and light attack aircraft, featuring a swept low wing, T-tail, and a single turbofan engine. It represented a major achievement for the Argentine aerospace industry and serves as the primary advanced jet trainer of the Argentine Air Force.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.93 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Argentine swept-wing jet trainer with T-tail and single turbofan
Side-by-side — actually tandem — cockpits under a long bubble canopy
First indigenous Argentine jet aircraft to enter production

A compact, conventional-looking swept-wing jet trainer similar in layout to the Aermacchi MB-339. The T-tail, single engine with rear exhaust, and moderately swept wings are the key recognition features.

Specifications

The FMA IA-63 Pampa has a length of 10.93 m (36 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.69 m (32 ft).
Its maximum speed is 819 km/h (509 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Development began in the late 1970s with technical assistance from Dornier of Germany, and the Pampa first flew in 1984. It entered service with the Fuerza Aérea Argentina in 1988. An upgraded Pampa 2000 variant with enhanced avionics and light attack capability was subsequently developed.

Variants

The Pampa 2000 (or Pampa II) features updated glass cockpit, additional hardpoints, and compatibility with a wider range of weapons for the light attack role.

Where you'll see it

Serves exclusively with the Argentine Air Force as its principal advanced jet trainer; not exported.

Related aircraft

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