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Revision as of 14:46, 27 June 2008

The FMA SAIAL 90 (Sistema de Armas Integrado America Latina de la decada del 90) is an air superiority aircraft designed and planned by the FMA (Fabrica Militar de Aviones) with collaboration of British Aerospace in the mid-1980s, which was the last stage of ACL project, a project started by the government for an Latin American fighter aircraft (Avion Caza Latinoamericano).

The three stages of the project were:

• The IA 63 Pampa, a trainer attack aircraft, which was already been built. The Vought Pampa 2000 version was entered into the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System in the 1990s.
• The IA 67 Cordoba, a light attack bomber that had never been built. And finally,
• The SAIAL 90, an air superiority aircraft with minimum radar cross section, an stealth aircraft.

In military service, the FMA SAIAL 90 is designated the F-90 Halcon, and exists in three versions for the Fuerza Aerea de los Estados Confederados, the F-90A Halcon single-seater, the F-90B Halcon twin seater, and the EF-90B Halcon specialised SEAD aircraft.

Technical Details

The parameters of design of the airplane were

• Sustained turn speed of Mach 0.9 at 6000m of height
• Great capacity of acceleration among Mach 0.9 at 1.5 to 9000 m
• High deceleration, independent of the relative speed
• Reasonable combat autonomy with internal fuel
• Minimum radar silhouettes and to IR (Stealth)

Fixed armament consists of a Mauser BK-27. The aircraft can carry two IR AAM's on the wing tips, and four AIM-120,or Condor BVRAAM semi-recessed under the fuselage. Six underwing, and one centreline pylons carry extra air-to-air weapons, air-to-surface weapons and other stores up to a total weight of 5000kg.

Low wing loading, light weight, and relatively powerful engines (Garrett TFE1042-70) give the aircraft exceptional handling, and it is more than a match for a MiG-29, Flanker, F-16, or F/A-18.

The aircraft's general configuration is highly reminiscent of the F/A-18, however FMA's designers say this is because it is the only reasonable configuration for the achievement of good performance at high angles of attack.

The aircraft has modern avionics, and its radar can detect targets at 150km. The F-90 has the classic cockpit of a 1980's Western fighter, with three MFD's, and Upfront Control Panel, HOTAS, and a wide-angle HUD.

A naval version is proposed as an F/A-18 replacement for the Armada.

With a few exceptions, the F-90 can carry all FAEC tactical weapons including rockets, gun pods, air to air missiles, air to surface, nuclear, chemical, and conventional bombs.

Images

General Arrangement

In flight

Cockpit

Operators

Current

• Fuerza Aerea de los Estados Confederados (572 in service, 732 in total ordered)
• Mexican Air Force (25)

Ordered

• West Canadian Navy
• Armada de los Estados Confederados (460 ordered to replace the F/A-18)

Specifications

Confederate States of Latin America
General: Confederate States of Latin America, Economy of the ECAL, Justice and Law in the ECAL, President Michelle Bachelet, Presidency
Political: Partido Republicano Constitucional, Partido Laborista Socialista, Partido de la Democracia Cristiana
Military: Fuerzas Armadas, Armada, Ejercito, Fuerza Aerea, Infanteria de Marina, Guardia Nacional
Military Aircraft: FMA SAIAL 90, A-4AL Fightinghawk
Armoured Vehicles: TLAM Medium Tank, TLAP Main Battle Tank
Warships: Ship Profiles, Ardiente and Valeroso class destoyers