FMA SAIA 90

The FMA SAIA‑90 emerged in the early 1970s as a joint venture between the Argentine state firm Fábrica Militar de Aviones (FMA) and the German aerospace company Dornier. Conceived amid Cold‑War pressure for a versatile, low‑cost combat aircraft, the program combined Dornier’s expertise in lightweight metal structures with FMA’s experience in tropical operating conditions. First flown on 12 May 1974, the SAIA‑90 entered limited service in 1978, primarily with the Argentine Naval Aviation and the Air Force’s reconnaissance squadrons.

Key features included a single‑engine, low‑wing layout powered by a turbofan derivative of the Dornier RM3, delivering 8 000 lbf of thrust. The airframe employed a semi‑monocoque aluminum‑alloy skin with corrosion‑resistant treatments, allowing operation from austere forward bases and naval decks. Avionics were modular: a basic navigation suite could be upgraded with infrared search‑and‑track, laser‑designated targeting, and a lightweight radar for air‑to‑air engagements. The aircraft’s armament flexibility permitted carriage of rockets, precision‑guided munitions, and a 20 mm cannon under the nose.

Although production halted after 38 units due to economic constraints and the emergence of more capable fourth‑generation fighters, the SAIA‑90 demonstrated that a modestly funded partnership could deliver a reliable, multi‑role platform. Its legacy lives on in Argentine pilot training and in the collaborative design philosophy that influenced later regional aerospace projects.