FAdeA IA 73

IA-73
A model of the UNASIR 1 at a FAdeA aircraft exposition.
General information
Role	Military trainer
National origin	Argentina
Manufacturer	Fábrica Argentina de Aviones
Service	Argentine Air Force
Number built	1
History
First flight	2013

The IA-73 is an Argentinian trainer aircraft developed by Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) since 2009. The purpose of the IA-73 is to replace the obselete Beechcraft T-34 Mentor and Embraer EMB 312 Tucano in service with the Argentine Air Force (AAF),[1] as well as develop a trainer aircraft for export to other Latin American nations.[2]

Development

In December 2009, FAdeA began the project assessment phase. The project, titled IA-73 UNASUR ⁠1 [Union of South American Nations], would be a joint effort between Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador to develop a modern trainer aircraft. FAdeA (Argentina's primary aircraft manufacturer) would produce the design with the assistance of Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador, and Bolivia would provide additional funding for the project.[3] This plan was approved by FAdeA's board of directors in late August 2010, and shortly after discussions were launched with the AAF. The first flight would take place in 2013. However, since then the IA-73 has experienced continuing delays in entering service. Original estimates by FAdeA put the aircraft's entry into service for 2015,[2] but that would later be pushed to 2017, and since then information on the project has slowed.[3]

For the engine, FAdeA settled on a single American Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6.[3] Considering the potential of the IA-73 in the international market, plans were also laid for a partnership with the Chinese company CATIC to provide an alternate engine for nations who refrain from business with the United States.[4]

Cost and Service

The cost to develop the first prototype ended up at around 12 million US$. The total local program cost for 52 aircraft (50 production units and 2 prototype units)[5] would end up around 115 million US$, and the unit cost for the IA-73 would settle at an estimated 1.8 million US$.[3]

While no units have been sold yet, a few countries have made plans to procure the IA-73 upon the completion of its development. Currently, the AAF plans on purchasing 50 units, Venezuela plans on purchasing 24 units, and Ecuador plans on purchasing 18 units.[5][6]

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
• Width: 8.8 m (28 ft 10 in)
• Height: 3.0 m (9 ft 10.1 in)
• Empty weight: 850 kg (1,874 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
• Propellers: 4-bladed

Performance

• Maximum speed: 500 km/h (311 mph, 270 kn)
• Range: 1,000 km (621 mi, 540 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
• Rate of climb: 15 m/s (3,000 ft/min)

References

1. "Argentine Air Force Receives First Modernised Embraer EMB-312 Tucano Trainer Aircraft - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. 2022-08-10. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
2. "Argentina launches work on IA-73 trainer". Flight Global. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
3. "FAdeA IA-73". Military Equipment Guide With Photos. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
4. "Argentina, Brasil, Venezuela y Ecuador construirán el avión de entrenamiento militar Unasur I" [Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador will build the Unasur I military training aircraft]. Info Blanco Sobre Negro (in Spanish). June 28, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
5. "阿根廷FAdeA IA-73教练机，研究八年至今还没出来_生产_采购_飞机" [Argentina's FAdeA IA-73 trainer aircraft has not been released after eight years of research]. www.sohu.com (in Chinese). Guangdong Province, China. 2023-11-12. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
6. "FAdeA IA-73 Military Basic Trainer / Aerobatics Aircraft". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.