IA-58 Pucara

     Notes: This is an Argentine ground attack aircraft that is robust and easy to fly, and not as fuel-thirsty as jet aircraft, nor as expensive or difficult to maintain.  While not advanced, it is reliable.  The crew have ejection seats, but the aircraft is not capable of in-flight refueling.

     Twilight 2000 v1, v2/2.2/ 2013 Stories: This aircraft gained more customers around the world as the Twilight War wore on, before shipping finally stopped.

     Twilight 2035/Merc 2000 Stories: The Pucara gained acceptance all around the world, as it was far less expensive than aircraft like the A-10.  The US even bought about a squadron’s worth, supplementing their A-10s in actions which were less heavy in EW, AAA/SAM, and enemy aircraft.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$3,570,610

JP4

1.5 tons

4.02 tons

2

16

None

Enclosed

.

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

1162

581

NA  100  8/5  70/35

1020

750

8000

FF7  CF7  RF6  T5  W4*

 

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

None

615/745m Hardened Runway

+2

2x20mm KAA Autocannons, 4xMG-4, 3 hardpoints

300x20mm, 1050x7.62mm

 

IA-63 Pampa

     Notes: This small aircraft was built to be a trainer during peacetime and a light attack aircraft during wartime.  Though it was presented as a contender for the US Joint Primary Training System competition, it lost in that competition to the European Hawk aircraft (which became the T-45 Goshawk), and never saw any other foreign sales.  By the 2020, almost all Argentine pilots had received their initial jet training on the Pampa.  It is an economical aircraft to operate, but has only rudimentary avionics.

     Twilight 2000 v1 Notes: The Pampa does not exist in the Twilight 2000 v1 timeline.

     Twilight 2000 v2/2.2 Notes: A new aircraft in the Twilight 2000 2/2.2 timeline, the Argentines had only 12 of them in service at the beginning of the Twilight War. None were built after the beginning of hostilities, with production shifting primarily to the Pucara and an Argentine copy of the Mirage III.

     Twilight 2013 timeline: Though some were retained at the rear area airbases for primary training, many Argentine pilots using the Pampa were essentially getting OJT. And thus the Pampa did not have a good combat record.  This is not because of the aircraft, but the inexperience of the pilots.

     Twilight 2035 Notes: Due to early Pucara losses, the Pampa took up the slack in the ground support role.  They were modified to use almost all air weapons in the Argentine inventory, from GPS-guided SDBs to 30mm cannon pods.

     Merc 2000 Notes: The Pampa was the primary jet trainer for the Argentine Air Force, and was also sold across South and to an extent Central America,

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$3,380,290

JP4

1.55 tons

2.82 tons

2

12

None

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

1674

419 (100)

NA  113  8/5  80/50

1300

694

12900

FF4  CF4  RF4  T3  W4

 

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Radar Warning Receiver, Flare/Chaff Dispensers

890/565m Hardened Runway

+2

5 Hardpoints

None