Manufacturer confident of boosting AT-63 business with sales to air force and navy
Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina (LMAA) expects further orders from the Argentinian air force for new-build AT-63 Pampa jet trainers to add to the six aircraft already under contract.
Company president Alberto Buthet is also expecting a firm order from the Argentinian navy for six aircraft already under construction at the request of the government. “Both will move ahead,” he says.
Speaking during last month’s FIDAE airshow in Santiago, Chile, Buthet said eight to 10 AT-63s could be sold to the Argentinian navy to replace the service’s Aermacchi MB326s.
LMAA has redelivered its second upgraded AT-63 to the Argentinian air force as part of a 12-aircraft modernisation effort. Buthet says the company plans to deliver eight more upgraded aircraft to the service this year, with the remaining two to follow in early 2007.
The air force received its first upgraded Pampa last December. It will also take delivery of six new-build AT-63s between July and November 2007.
Buthet says 90% of parts production for the 12 new-build aircraft has been completed, with three airframes at an advanced stage of assembly and work just commencing on a fourth. He does not expect any conflict of marketing interest between the AT-63 and Lockheed support for promoting the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer and AT-50 ground-attack variant in South America. “There is a market for each of us and I don’t see a competition,” he said.
Lockheed launched a sales campaign for the AT-50 at FIDAE, with potential customers including Chile’s air force, which is looking to replace its Mirage 5 Elkan, Mirage 50 Pantera and Northrop F-5 strike aircraft.
KAI is promoting its KT-1 basic and T-50 advanced trainer designs to meet Chile’s emerging requirement – a competition also being pursued by LMAA (Flight International, 4-10 April).
PETER LA FRANCHI / SANTIAGO
Source: Flight International
