AT63 Pampa Military Airplane

AT63 Pampa

The newest version of the AT-63 Pampa was designed by Lockheed Martin for the Argentina Air Force for use as a training aircraft. Production of the Pampa is being completed in Argentina by Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina S.A. The first demonstrator aircraft was completed on December 15, 2004 and flight tests began on June 30, 2005. The original Pampa was the IA-63, manufactured by Lockheed in the late 1980′s.

Lockheed Martin had intended that the newer AT-63 would be an inexpensive trainer and light attack plane for Argentina and other countries with small military budgets. When Lockheed unveiled the trainer during the Paris Air Show on June 19, 2001, they had high hopes that many countries would express interest in the plane. Unfortunately for Lockheed, Argentina has been the only country to purchase the AT-63, and they’ve purchased only 12 of the aircraft to date.

The low-cost AT-63 Pampa has an integrated weapons system, mission computer, glass cockpit, and a modern avionics suite. The jet features dual controls for a student and optional instructor, and the cabin is fully pressurized. The ejection sequence can be pre-programmed and the one-piece canopy can be fragilized if an emergency occurs before the plane becomes airborne.

More information about the AT-63 is provided here:

Maximum level speed: 815 km per hour (440 KTAS)

Cruise speed at 30,000 feet: 650 km per hour (350 KTAS)

Stall speed: 152 km per hour (82 KCAS)

Takeoff run: 1,410 feet

Landing roll: 1,510 feet

Maximum climb: 5,120 feet per minute

Range: 1,140 nautical miles

Ceiling: 42,300 feet

Length: 14.49 feet

Wingspan: 31.78 feet

Height: 14.07 feet

Maximum weight: 11,038 pounds

Empty weight: 6,217 pounds

Engine(s): One Honeywell TFE-731-2C turbofan engine with 3,500 pounds of thrust

Crew: Two

Armament: Four under wing and one under fuselage weapons stations for air-to-air and air-to-ground light attack capability

Contractor: Lockheed Martin

References:

Lockheed Martin