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Argentine Air Force reaches historic milestone in strategic weaponry by resuming testing of the Dardo glide bomb, with an impressive range of 200 km and maximum precision, revolutionizing its military capabilities.
The resumption of development of Dardo FAS 850 gliding bomb, from the Argentine Air Force (FAA), marks an important technological advance for the country. Through its research and testing divisions, the project is back on the scene after more than a decade of being almost at a standstill. The Argentine innovation promises to transform the country's long-range attack capabilities, ensuring greater precision and safety for military operations.
Find out how the Dardo glide bomb was developed
The history of Argentine Air Force technology began in the 1980s with a conventional bomb equipped with a rocket engine for greater penetration. Although limited to a few prototypes, this version of the Dardo glide bomb paved the way for the Dardo II, developed in the late 1990s.
Equipped with folding wings, a GPS guidance system and a rectangular cross-section hull, the Dardo II has achieved significant advances. Initial tests were carried out aboard Mirage IIIC aircraft from the Armaments and Operational Systems Test Center (CEASO).
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In 2001, however, the Argentine Air Force project was suspended, only being resumed in 2007, when integration was evaluated on aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas A-4AR Fightinghawk and the Dassault Super Étendard.
In 2011, an advanced prototype, the FAS-850 Dardo 2-B, brought new capabilities to the air force, including a range of up to 60 km, launch from 40 feet and speeds of up to Mach 0,9. Another variant of the Dardo glide bomb, the 2-C, equipped with a small turbine and capable of reaching an incredible 200 km range.
Argentine Air Force equipment to undergo testing in 2025
In 2023, the FAA resumed the project under the supervision of the Center for Applied Research (CIA) and the Flight Test Center (CEV). The first step was to test the integration of the Dardo III into the Pampa III EX-03 prototype, using an inert enclosure and cameras to assess stability during flight.
The continuation of the Dardo glide bomb tests in 2025 will include launches of inert bombs, followed by powered versions and, finally, versions loaded with explosives.
Furthermore, there are expectations that the system will be adapted to the F-16, awaiting approval from the United States. Despite possible diplomatic difficulties, the successful integration into Pampa III already represents a major step forward.
The equipment will provide the Argentine Air Force with the ability to attack targets with greater precision at greater distances, reducing exposure to enemy anti-aircraft defenses.
Understand the impacts of the production of the Dardo gliding bomb
If mass production is achieved, the Dardo III glide bomb will place the Argentine Air Force at a strategic level in the regional military scenario. The project symbolizes the strengthening of the country's defense capabilities and the valorization of the national military technology industry, bringing autonomy and innovation to air operations.
With the advancement of the development of the Dardo glide bomb, the Argentine Air Force seeks to strengthen its position as a major force in Latin America, betting on long-range and high-precision solutions to face modern battlefield challenges.
It is important to highlight that the country already has its first F-16 fighter. The aircraft, an F-16B Fighting Falcon Block 10 model, is being transported from Aalborg, Denmark, on a Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. Currently, part of the fighter, including the engine, was loaded on the C-130H registration TC-66, while the rest will be loaded on the KC-130H TC-69, which is already on its way to the European country.
JAJAJAJAJA..but if it's the same obsolete prototype that showed them K ago ya!!!