IAR 99
IAR 99 | |
---|---|
IAR 99 of the Romanian Air Force | |
Role | Advanced trainer and light attack aircraft
|
National origin | Romania |
Manufacturer | Avioane Craiova |
First flight | 21 December 1985 |
Introduction | 1987 |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Romanian Air Force |
Produced | 1985–2008 |
Number built | 28 (25 Șoim/C 3 prototip) |
The IAR 99
Development
The design of the aircraft started in 1975 and this would be the first jet trainer fully designed and built in
The aircraft entered series production in 1987, with 17 aircraft delivered to the Romanian Air Force by 1989. Two were lost in the 1990s (numbers 710 and 714).
In 1990 the fall of the Eastern Bloc created new export opportunities for the aircraft, but while the aircraft had excellent aerodynamic and handling qualities, it was left behind in its class because of its obsolete avionics, with upgrading becoming a priority.
The first upgrade attempt was made in 1990 by I.Av.Craiova together with the Texas-based Jaffe Aircraft Corporation. Aircraft 708 and 709
Aircraft 708, 709 and 712 were reconfigured to Standard and delivered to the Romanian Air Force.
In 1996 the upgrade program of the IAR 99 was revived with the need for a lead-in trainer for the newly upgraded
On 6 August 1998, the Romanian Government approved the introduction into series production of the upgrade program for 24 IAR-99 Șoim out of which 4 were supposed to be delivered by 2001. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence signs a contract for those 24 aircraft on 20 April 2000, reducing that number to 12 on 14 December 2000.[5] Only seven of these are to be new-built (numbers 719–725), and five upgraded from existing IAR 99 (numbers 709, 711, 712, 713, 717). These were delivered between 2003 and 2008,[6] gradually replacing the L-39 Albatros' in service with the Romanian Air Force's training school.
Thus, the Romanian Air Force will have 12 IAR 99 C Șoim (upgraded) and 11 IAR 99 Standard, with 7003 remaining with
In 2015, a consortium composed of Avioane Craiova, INCAS and CCIZ announced[7] that an enhanced version of the IAR 99 called IAR 99 TD is under development. A single airframe will be built with a new avionics suite, an engine and radar. The Leonardo Vixen 500E[8] radar was chosen and requires lengthening the nose by 900mm. A new engine which supports computer control is required to replace the 1951 designed Rolls-Royce Viper. This in turn will need a twice as big air intake.[9] A prototype is expected to be completed by 2022.[10]
In December 2020, Elbit Systems announced they were awarded the contract to upgrade the remaining 10 IAR 99 Standard airframes in service with the Romanian Air Force.[11] The upgrade, done by Avioane Craiova, was to be finished by 2024. However, due to several delays, the first aircraft was modernized in December 2023.[12]
Design
Cockpit
The aircraft has a tandem-stepped dual-control cockpit equipped with
The cockpit is equipped with HOTAS control and also LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display). Both the pilot and the instructor are equipped with a DASH Display and Sight Helmet which is currently deployed on the
Avionics
The communication systems include VHF and UHF communications, voice-activated intercom and an
One of the best features of the aircraft's avionics is a virtual training system that allows, based on a data link system, inflight simulations of firing and air combat capabilities using two or more aircraft.
Countermeasures
The IAR 99's
Variants
- IAR 99 "Standard"
- Initial variant designed as a lead-in trainer for the IAR-93.
- IAR 109 "Swift"
- In 1992 an upgrade program was started in partnership with Inertial Navigation System (INS), as well as the integration of both Eastern and Western weapon systems on the aircraft. The aircraft was displayed at the 1993 Paris Air Show[15] and flew at Asian Aerospace in 1994. A prospective sale of 10 aircraft to Botswana[16] was blocked in parliament, ending the collaboration with IAI. The aircraft was converted back to Standard configuration and delivered to the center for flight research and testing (CCIZ). As late as 2009[17]it still retained its "Swift" styled paint scheme and logo.
- IAR 99 C "Șoim"
- Upgraded variant using an Elbit Systems avionics package.
- IAR 99 TD
- Technical demonstrator under development.
- IAR 99 SM "Standard Modernizat"
- Modernized Standard variant designed as a lead-in trainer for the F-35.[18]
Operators
- Romanian Air Force - 20 aircraft in service[19]
Notable accidents and incidents
- On 14 August 1986, aircraft number S-002 crashed. Lt. Col. Mihai Ionescu and Mj. Mitiță Stoica safely ejected.[20][5]
- On 26 June 1990, aircraft number S-001: While training for an upcoming air show, during an inverted low level flight, the left wing clipped the air strip and crashed. Lt. Col. Ștefănel Vagner and Lt. Col. Mihai Ionescu died.[20]
- On 24 February 1994, aircraft number 710 burned down on the ground. No injuries incurred.[5]
- On 30 March 1995, aircraft number 714: a fuel line rupture caused a fire. Both occupants ejected safely.[21]
- On 24 September 2004, aircraft number 721 (Șoim), suffered a bird strike to the cockpit with debris ingested by the engine. The crew attempted a crash landing and were badly injured upon impact, but recovered. The aircraft was written off.[22]
- On 23 August 2012, aircraft number 718 (Standard) crashed shortly after takeoff during a training flight. The instructor in the back seat ejected safely, suffering serious injuries. The student died.[23]
- On 16 July 2018, aircraft number 723 (Șoim), crashed after both occupants ejected safely. Onlookers report smoke coming from the aircraft before the crash.[24]
Specifications
Data from Avioane Craiova SA,[4] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05[25]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 11.01 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 9.85 m (32 ft 4 in)
- Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 18.71 m2 (201.4 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 5.2
- Airfoil: NACA 641A-214 (modified)
- Empty weight: 3,200 kg (7,055 lb) equipped
- Max takeoff weight: 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) Trainer; 5,560 kg (12,260 lb) Ground attack
- Fuel capacity: Internal:1,370 L (360 US gal; 300 imp gal); External:up to 450 L (120 US gal; 99 imp gal) (in 225 L (59 US gal; 49 imp gal) drop tanks)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Viper Mk632-41Mturbojet, 17.79 kN (4,000 lbf) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 865 km/h (537 mph, 467 kn) trainer, clean
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.76
- Range: 1,100 km (680 mi, 590 nmi) Trainer with internal fuel; Ground attack with internal fuel 967 km (601 mi; 522 nmi)
- Combat range: 345 km (214 mi, 186 nmi) hi-lo-hi at 5,280 kg (11,640 lb)all-up weight
- Service ceiling: 12,900 m (42,300 ft)
- g limits: +7 / -3.6
- Rate of climb: 35 m/s (6,900 ft/min) at Sea level
- Wing loading: 235.2 kg/m2 (48.2 lb/sq ft) Trainer; 297.2 kg/m2 (60.9 lb/sq ft) Ground attack
Armament
- Guns: 1 × Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L autocannon
- Hardpoints: 4 underwing hardpoints capable of holding 250 kg each and 1 central hardpoint capable of holding 400 kg with a capacity of up to 450 kg (990 lb) of stores (the underwing hardpoints are wet capable of carrying 225l drop tanks)
- Rockets:
- Missiles:
- R-60 air-to-air missile
- Python AAM
- R.550 Magic AAM
- Bombs:
- BEM 250
- BE 100
- BE 50
- Mk 82 general-purpose bomb
- Opher infrared-guided bomb
- Laser-guided bombs
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Aermacchi MB-339 - same engine and role
- Aero L-59 Super Albatros
- BAE Systems Hawk
- FMA IA 63 Pampa
- Mikoyan MiG-AT
- PZL I-22 Iryda
- Soko G-4 Super Galeb
- Kawasaki T-4
- CASA C-101
References
- ^ "Avioane IAR 99 Soim (Hawk)". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ^ Air International September 1990, pp. 129–133.
- ^ Vlad, Ing. Dănuț (2015-12-21). "IAR-99 – 30 de ani de la primul zbor". Resboiu. Archived from the original on 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ a b "IAR 99 SOIM History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
- ^ a b c Leoveanu, Grigore (2014-12-10). "Programul IAR 99 - Scurt Istoric". IAR99SOIM. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ Ștefănescu, Ioan (2012-06-01). "S.C. Advanced Training Aircraft IAR 99 (A) SOIM". ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Avionul românesc IAR 99 TD ar putea zbura la începutul anului 2018". Digi24. 2015-12-04. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Leonardo Vixen 500E AESA radar chosen for IAR-99 tech demonstrator". Leonardo S.p.A. 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ Român, Cristian (2016-06-30). "Demonstratorul tehnologic IAR 99-TD realizat de INCAS". Știință & Tehnică. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ "Proiectul IAR-99 TD prezentat la Inventika". Romania Military. October 19, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
- ^ "Elbit Systems Awarded $27 Million Contract to Upgrade Romanian Air Force's IAR-99 Aircraft". Elbit Systems. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- G4Media(in Romanian). 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Románia Solymai - IAR-99/99C Soim". Military technology. 2019-11-15. Archived from the original on 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "IAR-109 Swift". All the world’s aircraft. Jane’s.
- ^ "IAR 109 Swift 7003 Paris Air Show 1993". Flickr. 1993-06-12.
- ^ Leoveanu, Grigore. "Cu IAR-ul în… Singapore!!". Romania Military. Archived from the original on 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "IAR-109 Swift". Airliners.net. 2009-08-26.
- ^ "AVIOANE CRAIOVA A MODERNIZAT PRIMUL IAR 99 SM". TVR. 2023-12-22.
- ^ "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 2020-12-04. Archived from the original on 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ a b Doroftei, Marius (2012-12-21). "IAR-99 (Soim), apogeul aviației din România". AviatiaMagazin.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-17. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ISBN 0-7106-2614-2.
Sources
- "Romanian Falcon". Air International, September 1990, Vol 39 No. 3. pp. 129–133.