Argentina seeks to renovate A-4AR fleet with new engines

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by spazsinbad » 06 Feb 2016, 08:01

Argentina seeks to renovate A-4AR fleet with new engines
04 Feb 2016 Diego Gonzalez, Buenos Aires - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

"The Argentine Ministry of Defence, through the Oficina Nacional de Contrataciones (that acquires assets for the government), on 1 February issued a high priority request for engine replacements and additional resources to overhaul its Lockheed Martin A-4AR Skyhawk (Fightinghawk) fighters.

In 1994 Argentina bought 36 A-4ARs from the United States, but only about five are in flying condition and all reportedly are grounded except in case of emergency. The remaining aircraft, according to the Air Force, are being kept in 'preservation' at the Villa Reynolds base in San Luis. The official tenders focus on acquiring replacements for the Pratt & Whitney J52 engines in the out-of-service A-4ARs...."

Source: http://www.janes.com/article/57797/arge ... ew-engines


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by edpop » 06 Feb 2016, 21:22

I love to see articles like this about renovating older fighters for continued use. Especially the Skyhawk!
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by spazsinbad » 08 Feb 2016, 01:53

USN no longer works those engines. However quote is from old RNZAF maintainer on the 'yahooskyhawkstudygroup' e-mail:

skyhawkstudygroup@yahoogroups.com
"Don't know of too many places in the U.S the can still rework the P408 or P8's that's New Zealand. They still have a facility and a Test House that have the talent as well. Since selling of their Skyhawks and equipmemt to Draken they still kept and continue the J52 line & carry out engine work for Draken, ATSI, BAE and various other Skyhawk owners. Only negative is they are expensive and parts are expensive and difficult to get. I'm no longer with the outfit anymore and have gone contracting work but they are on the web."


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by thepointblank » 10 Feb 2016, 00:18

Probably looking at the GE F404 engine, like in Singapore's retired fleet of A-4SU's.


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by popcorn » 10 Feb 2016, 01:14

thepointblank wrote:Probably looking at the GE F404 engine, like in Singapore's retired fleet of A-4SU's.

It woikd be a neat solution offering substantial performance boost. I don't suppose the US would disapprove.
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by noth » 10 Feb 2016, 02:41

popcorn wrote:
thepointblank wrote:Probably looking at the GE F404 engine, like in Singapore's retired fleet of A-4SU's.

It woikd be a neat solution offering substantial performance boost. I don't suppose the US would disapprove.


The UK will though. They're blocking any attempts by Argentina to acquire or upgrade fighter/strike aircraft by pressuring allies or withholding sales permits for anything UK made or made by a UK company even overseas. This will continue till HMS QE2 is operational with F-35Bs, and even then may not subside much.


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by popcorn » 10 Feb 2016, 03:11

The US will take any potential UK objections into account but Washington's own interests will prevail. The US and Argentina have a healthy relationship and IMO a F404 sale would not be a problem as it just modernizes an existing capability and likely would not be perceived as upsetting the balance of power vis-a-vis the UK or it's neighbors.
"When a fifth-generation fighter meets a fourth-generation fighter—the [latter] dies,”
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