Avioane Craiova IAR-99 Șoim

Summary

Description

The design of the IAR 99 began in 1975, marking the first jet trainer fully designed and built in Romania. In 1979, funding was approved for I.Av. Craiova to construct the first trainer, the same facility producing the IAR 93 attack aircraft. The prototype (S-001) achieved its first flight on December 21, 1985, under the control of Lt. Col. Vagner Ștefănel. S-002 was designated for static ground testing, while S-003 served as the second flying prototype. Series production commenced in 1987, with 17 aircraft delivered to the Romanian Air Force by 1989; however, two were lost in accidents in the 1990s. The fall of the Eastern Bloc in 1990 presented export opportunities, but the IAR 99's outdated avionics, despite its aerodynamic and handling characteristics, necessitated upgrades.

The IAR 99 is characterized by its semi-monocoque design, featuring tapered wings and a swept-back tail unit. A distinguishing feature is the large blade-type antenna positioned beneath the nose on the port side of the fuselage. The aircraft has a tandem-stepped dual-control cockpit equipped with Martin-Baker Mk 10 zero-zero ejection seats; the instructor's seat at the rear is elevated by 35 cm to enhance visibility. While early models featured a single-piece canopy, later versions adopted a two-piece canopy design, both opening to the starboard side. The cockpit is equipped with HOTAS control and LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display). Both the pilot and the instructor are equipped with a DASH Display and Sight Helmet. The helmet guides the onboard weapons systems to the pilot's line of sight, and the visor's display confirms when target acquisition has been achieved and shows the data from the HUD (Head-Up Display). The aircraft is also equipped with an Elbit-supplied advanced avionics suite installed on a MIL-STD-1553B data bus. This suite includes VHF and UHF communications, voice-activated intercom, an IFF transponder, a VOR/ILS linked VHF omnidirectional antenna radio ranger linked to the instrument landing system, distance measuring equipment (DME), an automatic direction finder (ADF), a Northrop Grumman inertial navigation system, and a Trimble GPS system.

The IAR 99 features one 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L autocannon. It also has four underwing hardpoints, each capable of holding 250 kg, and one central hardpoint capable of holding 400 kg, giving a total capacity of up to 450 kg of stores. These hardpoints can accommodate a variety of munitions, including LPR 57 rockets, R-60, Python, and R.550 Magic air-to-air missiles, and BEM 250, BE 100, BE 50, Mk 82 general-purpose bombs, Opher infrared-guided bombs and laser-guided bombs. The underwing hardpoints are wet, capable of carrying 225-liter drop tanks.

The IAR 99 has primarily served within the Romanian Air Force, replacing older jet trainers like the Aero L-29 Delfin and Aero L-39 Albatros. Initially, 17 aircraft were delivered between 1987 and 1989, but two were lost in accidents during the 1990s. While the fall of the Eastern Bloc presented export opportunities, the IAR 99's outdated avionics hindered its competitiveness. An upgraded version, the IAR 99 C Șoim, was developed in collaboration with Elbit Systems and introduced in the late 1990s, aimed at providing a lead-in trainer for the upgraded MiG-21 Lancer. Deliveries of upgraded and new-built IAR 99 C aircraft occurred between 2003 and 2008, gradually replacing the L-39 Albatros in the Romanian Air Force's training school. The Romanian Air Force operates a mix of IAR 99 C Șoim (upgraded) and IAR 99 Standard variants.

Main Variants:

• IAR 99 "Standard": This was the initial variant, designed primarily as a lead-in trainer for pilots transitioning to the IAR-93 attack aircraft.

• IAR 109 "Swift": An upgraded version from 1992 in partnership with IAI of Israel featuring HOTAS controls, a wide-angle HUD, and the ability to integrate both Eastern and Western weapon systems, though the project was later abandoned.

• IAR 99 C "Șoim": This is an upgraded variant incorporating an Elbit Systems avionics package, enhancing its training and combat capabilities.

• IAR 99 TD: A technical demonstrator version is currently under development, intended to showcase advanced technologies and potential future upgrades.

• IAR 99 SM "Standard Modernizat": This is a modernized version of the Standard variant, specifically designed to serve as a lead-in trainer for pilots who will fly the F-16 and F-35 fighter aircraft.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Romania	19

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Romania

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Air Short-Range Python 3
• Air-to-Air Short-Range R550 Magic
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Vympel R-60 / K-60 (AA-8 Aphid)

Bombs payload:

• Low-Drag Mk 82