IAR 99

TheIAR 99Șoim(Hawk) is anadvanced trainerandlight attack aircraftcapable of performingclose air supportandreconnaissancemissions. The IAR 99 replaced theAero L-29 DelfinandAero L-39 Albatrosas the jet trainer of theRomanian Air Force.The aircraft is ofsemi-monocoquedesign, with tapered wings and a swept-back tail unit. A large blade-type antenna installed beneath the nose on the port side of the fuselage gives the IAR 99 trainer a distinctive appearance.

IAR 99
IAR 99 of theRomanian Air Force
General information
Type	Advanced trainerandlight attack aircraft
National origin	Romania
Manufacturer	Avioane Craiova
Status	In service
Primary user	Romanian Air Force
Number built	28 (25 Șoim/C 3 prototip)
History
Manufactured	1985–2008
Introduction date	1987
First flight	21 December 1985

Development

The design of the aircraft started in 1975 and this would be the first jet trainer fully designed and built inRomania.In 1979 funding was approved for building the first trainer byI.Av. Craiovawhere theIAR 93attack aircraft was currently built. The prototype (S-001) flew on 21 December 1985 with Lt. Col. Vagner Ștefănel at the controls.S-002 served for static (ground) testing, S-003 being the second flying prototype (later re-serialled 7003).

The aircraft entered series production in 1987, with 17 aircraft delivered to theRomanian Air Forceby 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 obsoleteavionics,with upgrading becoming a priority.

IAR 99 at Farnborough

The first upgrade attempt was made in 1990 by I.Av.Craiova together with the Texas-based Jaffe Aircraft Corporation. Aircraft 708 and 709were modified by installingHoneywellavionics, while thecanopywas changed to a two-piece design instead of the original one piece. This change would be retained for all subsequent aircraft. 708 took its first flight on August 8, 1990, followed by 709 on August 22. The aircraft were displayed at the 1990Farnborough Airshow,being proposed for theJoint Primary Aircraft Training Systemprogram for the United States of America, although this work resulted in no orders. In 1991, aircraft number 712 was outfitted with Collins avionics and took part in a show inAnkara,Turkey.

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 upgradedMiG-21Lancer. The Israeli companyElbitwas chosen as an integrator. The avionics package is compatible with 5th generation fighter systems and it is inspired by the MiG-21 Lancer upgrade but adapted to IAR 99 needs. The first upgraded IAR 99 was the 18th production aircraft (number 718), which performed its first flight on 22 May 1997.The upgraded IAR 99 was displayed at Paris in 1997 and Farnborough in 1998.

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 RomanianMinistry of National Defencesigns a contract for those 24 aircraft on 20 April 2000, reducing that number to 12 on 14 December 2000.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,gradually replacing theL-39 Albatros'in service with the Romanian Air Force's training school.

Thus, the Romanian Air Force will have 12IAR 99 C Șoim(upgraded) and 11IAR 99 Standard,with 7003 remaining withAvioane Craiova SAas demonstrator aircraft.

In 2015, a consortium composed ofAvioane Craiova,INCASandCCIZannouncedthat 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. TheLeonardoVixen 500Eradar was chosen and requires lengthening the nose by 900mm. A new engine which supports computer control is required to replace the 1951 designedRolls-Royce Viper.This in turn will need a twice as big air intake.A prototype is expected to be completed by 2022.

In December 2020,Elbit Systemsannounced they were awarded the contract to upgrade the remaining 10 IAR 99 Standard airframes in service with the Romanian Air Force.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.

Design

Cockpit

The aircraft has a tandem-stepped dual-control cockpit equipped withMartin-BakerMk 10zero-zero ejection seats.The instructor's seat at the rear position is raised by 35 cm to provide better visibility. The canopy was made as a single piece (prototypes and planes 701–707), later changed to a two-piece canopy, both opening to thestarboardside.

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 theMiG 21Lancer. The helmet guides the onboard weapons systems to the pilot's line of sight. The visor's display confirms when target acquisition has been achieved. The visor also displays the data from the HUD (Head-Up Display). Flight and navigation data are displayed on HUD, on the helmet DASH and MFDC (color multifunctiondisplays).

Avionics

IAR 99 Șoim

Elbitis supplying the aircraft's advanced avionics suite installed on aMIL-STD-1553B data bus. The advanced avionics suite, including communications, navigation, identification systems and the cockpit configuration, are similar to those of theMiG 21LanceR andF-16fighter aircraft. The IAR 99 is also equipped with video and debriefing systems.

The communication systems include VHF and UHF communications, voice-activated intercom and anIFFtransponder. The flight systems include a VOR/ILS, linkedVHFomnidirectional antennaradio ranger linked to theinstrument landing system.Other navigation tools includedistance measuring equipment(DME), anautomatic direction finder(ADF), aNorthrop Grummaninertial navigation system and a TrimbleGPSsystem.

One of the best features of the aircraft's avionics is a virtual training system that allows, based on adata linksystem, inflight simulations of firing and air combat capabilities using two or more aircraft.

Countermeasures

The IAR 99'selectronic warfaresuite is based on theElisra Electronic Systemsradar warning receiverandelectronic countermeasurespod plus achaffandflaredecoy dispenser. The systems are integrated through the 1553 data bus. The radar warning receiver detectspulse-Doppler,pulse andcontinuous wave radarthreats and provides threat identification by comparing signal characteristics against a threat database.

Variants

IAR 99 "Standard"

Initial variant designed as a lead-in trainer for theIAR-93.

IAR 99, number 7003, landing in 2006. Note below the cockpit, the white bird logo overlapping the yellow "Swift" writing.

IAR 109 "Swift"

In 1992 an upgrade program was started in partnership withIAILahavofIsrael,for bothRomanian Air Forceuse and export.Aircraft number 7003 was equipped withHOTAS(Hands On Throttle and Stick) controls in both cockpits, a wide-angle HUD (Head-Up Display) with Up Front Control Panel in the front cockpit, two 3 inch displays in both cockpits, a ring laser gyroInertial Navigation System(INS), as well as the integration of both Eastern and Western weapon systems on the aircraft. The aircraft was displayed at the 1993Paris Air Showand flew atAsian Aerospacein 1994. A prospective sale of 10 aircraft to Botswanawas 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 2009it still retained its "Swift" styled paint scheme and logo.

IAR 99 C "Șoim"

Upgraded variant using anElbit Systemsavionics package.

IAR 99 TD

Technical demonstrator under development.

IAR 99 SM "Standard Modernizat"

Modernized Standard variant designed as a lead-in trainer for theF-16andF-35.

Operators

Romania

• Romanian Air Force- 20 aircraft in service

Notable accidents and incidents

• On 14 August 1986, aircraft number S-002 crashed. Lt. Col. Mihai Ionescu and Mj. Mitiță Stoica safely ejected.
• 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.
• On 24 February 1994, aircraft number 710 burned down on the ground. No injuries incurred.
• On 30 March 1995, aircraft number 714: a fuel line rupture caused a fire. Both occupants ejected safely.
• 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.
• 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.
• On 16 July 2018, aircraft number 723 (Șoim), crashed after both occupants ejected safely. Onlookers report smoke coming from the aircraft before the crash.

Specifications

Data fromAvioane Craiova SA,Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05

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 ×Turbomecanica/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 ×23 mmGryazev-Shipunov GSh-23Lautocannon
• 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:
  
  • LPR 57
• Missiles:
  
  • R-60air-to-air missile
  • PythonAAM
  • R.550 MagicAAM
• Bombs:
  
  • BEM 250
  • BE 100
  • BE 50
  • Mk 82general-purpose bomb
  • Opherinfrared-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

Sources

• "Romanian Falcon".Air International,September 1990, Vol 39 No. 3. pp. 129–133.

External links

• National Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli" - IAR-99 SOIM
• Photo gallery