A4D (A-4) Skyhawk Foreign Sales

Israel

Argentina

Singapore

Now entirely out of US service, many Skyhawk were rehabbed for sale to Argentina and other international users. Over forty years since its first flight, the A-4 is still being used by a number of air forces world wide, with many updated land-based Skyhawks remain in service with several air forces.

Argentina

In 1965, Argentina became the first overseas Skyhawk customer. The Argentine Air Force received 75 A-4Ps (ex-A-4Bs & Cs), 25 each in 1966, 1970, and 1976. Nineteen A-4s were lost during the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas war in South Atlantic. The Argentine Navy received 16 A-4Q (A-4B) Skyhawks in 1971, three of which were lost in the 1982 war. After the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas war, the U.S. imposed an embargo on aircraft sales to Argentina which was subssequently lifted in 1993.

In July 1995, Argentina signed a 3 year $200 million contract with Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) to modify 36 ex USMC A-4Ms (32 A-4M and 4 OA-4M) to the A-4/AR, CA-4AR configuration. Included in the modification is the installation of the Northrop Grumman APG-66 radar (designated the ARG-1), Horizon Technology Mission Planning System, Allied Signal cockpit displays, Sextant Avionique Smart Head-Up Display (SHUD) and installation of refurbished P & W J-52 engines. The first 8 A-4Ms were refurbished in the U.S. and were renamed A-4AR Fightinghawk. The remaining Fightinghawks are being modified by Lockheed Martin at their Ontario CA facility and the others in Cordoba, Argentina at a facility jointly operated by Lockheed Martin and the Argentine Government. As these became available older A-4s were retired.

Singapore

The A4S Skyhawk fighter aircraft came into service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1975. It has undergone a complex upgrade and was re-launched as the A4SU Super Skyhawk in 1988 with a new General Electric F404-100D engine, upgraded avionics and improved weapons delivery capability. The A4S upgrade development programme was a joint effort of the RSAF, the Defence Technology Group and the Singapore Technologies Group - Singapore Aerospace. The A4SU Super Skyhawk is a subsonic strike fighter with its delta wing design giving the aircraft excellent manoeuvrability and turn performance. It is equipped with a General Electric F-404 engine, and has a structurally modified airframe, a new fuel system, electrical and cooling system, generator, fire detection system, engine back-up system and a Weapon Delivery and Navigation System (WDNS). On March 31, 2005 operational Super Skyhawks were retired. Twelve Super Skyhawks make last flight over Singapore. Training squadron in France continue flying Super Skyhawks for another two to three years.