The Avioane Craiova IAR-93 Vultur (Eagle) is a twinjet, subsonic, close support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Built as single-seat main attack version or combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon training, it was developed in 1970s by Romania and Yugoslavia to become more independent from Soviet equipment. The Romanian aircraft were built by I.R.Av. Craiova as IAR-93, and its Yugoslav counterpart by Soko as the Soko J-22 Orao. For Romania, the IAR-93 was intended to replace MiG-15s and MiG-17s in the fighter-bomber role.
On May 20, 1971, Romania and Yugoslavia signed the governmental agreements for the YuRom R&D programme. The program managers were Dipl. Dr. Engineer Teodor Zamfirescu for the Romanian party and Colonel Vidoje Knežević for the Yugoslav party.
The requirements called for a light subsonic aircraft for ground attack and tactical reconnaissance missions and with low level air combat as a secondary capability. It was to be built on a simple structure, using locally produced equipment and avionics (but compatible with Western components), tough (able to operate on grass or damaged runways), easy to maintain, and reliable. The aircraft was of conventional twin-engine, high mounted wing monoplane configuration with all flying surfaces swept. The Rolls-Royce Viper was chosen as the powerplant, as SOKO had experience with licence-building this engine. It was originally intended that an afterburner would be developed for the Viper engines, but there were prolonged difficulties with this project, meaning that none of the pre-production aircraft featured it, and neither did early production examples. During the 1980s, both countries developed slightly different versions to take advantage of the afterburning engines that had since become available.
Flight testingEdit
The Romanian single-seat prototype White 001 made its first flight which lasted 21 minutes on October 31, 1974 at Bacău[1] (simultaneously with the Yugoslav prototype at Batajnica Air Base). The aircraft was flown by Colonel Gheorghe Stănică. On September 20, 1979 the plane was lost when, during a test flight both engines stopped and the pilot ejected. This prompted modifications to the combustion chamber (including all aircraft already delivered).
The DC (two-seat) prototype #003 first flew on January 23, 1977, and was lost on November 24, 1977 due to tail flutter. The left elevator broke off while in level flight at 500 m altitude and 1,045 km/h. The Martin-Baker Mk RU10J zero-zero ejection seats functioned well and the two test pilots ejected safely. After this event the aft fuselage structure was reinforced.
Prototype #004 crashed at Craiova Air Base on February 20, 1979 during an aerobatics demonstration. The pilot, Capt. Eng. Dobre Stan did not manage to eject.
On August 23, 1979 three IAR-93 (#001, #002 and #005) were first presented to the public in flight during the military parade celebrating the national day of Romania at that time.
VariantsEdit
IAR-93A: initial production version with non-afterburning Viper Mk 632-41 turbojets 15 pre-production aircraft delivered in 1979; entered service in 1981 26 built (#109-119 pre-production, #150-164 series) as single-seaters and 9 DC (two-seat) trainers (#005-008 pre-production, #180-184 series)
IAR-93MB: MB = Motor de Baza (basic engine). This version had the fuselage of the IAR-93B but used the non-afterburning engine of the IAR-93A delivered starting with 1982 15 single-seaters built (#201-215)
IAR-93B: refined version with afterburning Viper Mk 633-47 engines, increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded hardpoints and revised wing, including leading edge extensions. Also, the ventral fins, inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removed first flew in 1985; entered service in 1987 27 built as single-seater (#200, #216-241) and 7 DC (#600-606)
Data from Romanian press and partially from ejection-history.org.uk[2]
#002, November 24, 1977 The left elevator broke off due to flutter. Both pilots, Col. Gheorghe D. Stanica and Col. Petru Ailiesei, ejected safely.
#003, February 20, 1979 at Craiova Air Base. Capt. Eng. Dobre Stan did not manage to eject.
#001, September 20, 1979 Both engines stopped. Col. Ilie P. Botea ejected safely.
#113, March 8, 1983 Maj. Crashed on landing due to pilot error. Maj Ion G. Tanase ejected safely.
#???, August 14, 1986 G.M. Stoica (not confirmed or incomplete info)
#602, August 25, 1992 Both pilots, Maj. Dan C. Cosaceanu and Cpt. Traian G. Neagoe, ejected safely.
#200, November 26, 1996 at Recea-Slatina. Crashed during a test flight. Cpt. Cmdr. Matei "Bebe" Constantin ejected safely.
#210, July 9, 1997 at Craiova Air Base. Exploded on the runway during preparations for Romanian-made cluster munitions testing. 16 ground personnel died. The pilot, Cmdr. Ion Marculescu, had not yet approached the plane and was unharmed.
#219, April 9, 1998 at Ghercesti, near Craiova. The forward landing gear could not be deployed after a test flight. Cmdr. Ion Marculescu ejected safely after exhausting the fuel and the airplane crashed a few km further. This was the last flight for the type.
RetirementEdit
Dismantled IAR-93 MB #204
Following the outbreak of the war in Yugoslavia and the UN embargo, the IAR-93 program ended in Romania in 1992, with several airframes in different stages of construction. Around 75 aircraft were still in service, a few of them being used for testing and research (#200 – first B model with afterburners, #600 (DC) – the only one fitted with canards).[citation needed]
The last IAR-93s were withdrawn and mothballed from the Romanian Air Force in 1998. Surviving airframes are stored at Deveselu (IAR-93A #116), Timișoara (IAR-93MB #214), and Craiova (about 60 aircraft), not flight worthy (engines and other equipment removed) and most of them are up for sale. Apparently 20 of them were scrapped until 2006, with the rest awaiting the same fate in 2007.[citation needed]
The J-22 Orao are still in service with the air force of Serbia. The last Yugoslav aircraft was delivered in February 1992, and the plant in Mostar was destroyed shortly after.[citation needed]
^ ab. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
^"INCAS - IAR 93 SOKO /VTJ - J - ORAO". www.incas.ro. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
^Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to IAR 93.
National Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli"
Photos of IAR-93 at Airliners.net
More at aeroflight.co.uk
Retired aircraft at 322 Aviation Maintenance Centre, Craiova
Movie at YouTube
August 27, 2023
vultur, avioane, craiova, eagle, twinjet, subsonic, close, support, ground, attack, tactical, reconnaissance, aircraft, with, secondary, capability, level, interceptor, built, single, seat, main, attack, version, combat, capable, seat, version, advanced, flyin. The Avioane Craiova IAR 93 Vultur Eagle is a twinjet subsonic close support ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft with secondary capability as low level interceptor Built as single seat main attack version or combat capable two seat version for advanced flying and weapon training it was developed in 1970s by Romania and Yugoslavia to become more independent from Soviet equipment The Romanian aircraft were built by I R Av Craiova as IAR 93 and its Yugoslav counterpart by Soko as the Soko J 22 Orao For Romania the IAR 93 was intended to replace MiG 15s and MiG 17s in the fighter bomber role IAR 93 VulturIAR 93Role Ground attack aircraftLow level interceptorManufacturer Avioane CraiovaDesign group INCAS RomaniaVTI YugoslaviaFirst flight October 31 1974Introduction 1975Retired April 9 1998Primary user Romanian Air ForceProduced 1975 1992Number built 88Variants Soko J 22 Orao Contents 1 Development 2 Flight testing 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Lost aircraft 6 Retirement 7 Aircraft on display 8 Specifications IAR 93B 9 See also 10 References 11 External linksDevelopment EditOn May 20 1971 Romania and Yugoslavia signed the governmental agreements for the YuRom R amp D programme The program managers were Dipl Dr Engineer Teodor Zamfirescu for the Romanian party and Colonel Vidoje Knezevic for the Yugoslav party The requirements called for a light subsonic aircraft for ground attack and tactical reconnaissance missions and with low level air combat as a secondary capability It was to be built on a simple structure using locally produced equipment and avionics but compatible with Western components tough able to operate on grass or damaged runways easy to maintain and reliable The aircraft was of conventional twin engine high mounted wing monoplane configuration with all flying surfaces swept The Rolls Royce Viper was chosen as the powerplant as SOKO had experience with licence building this engine It was originally intended that an afterburner would be developed for the Viper engines but there were prolonged difficulties with this project meaning that none of the pre production aircraft featured it and neither did early production examples During the 1980s both countries developed slightly different versions to take advantage of the afterburning engines that had since become available Flight testing EditThe Romanian single seat prototype White 001 made its first flight which lasted 21 minutes on October 31 1974 at Bacău 1 simultaneously with the Yugoslav prototype at Batajnica Air Base The aircraft was flown by Colonel Gheorghe Stănică On September 20 1979 the plane was lost when during a test flight both engines stopped and the pilot ejected This prompted modifications to the combustion chamber including all aircraft already delivered On July 18 1975 the aircraft was presented to Nicolae Ceausescu on the Bacău airfield The DC two seat prototype 003 first flew on January 23 1977 and was lost on November 24 1977 due to tail flutter The left elevator broke off while in level flight at 500 m altitude and 1 045 km h The Martin Baker Mk RU10J zero zero ejection seats functioned well and the two test pilots ejected safely After this event the aft fuselage structure was reinforced Prototype 004 crashed at Craiova Air Base on February 20 1979 during an aerobatics demonstration The pilot Capt Eng Dobre Stan did not manage to eject On August 23 1979 three IAR 93 001 002 and 005 were first presented to the public in flight during the military parade celebrating the national day of Romania at that time Variants EditIAR 93A initial production version with non afterburning Viper Mk 632 41 turbojets15 pre production aircraft delivered in 1979 entered service in 198126 built 109 119 pre production 150 164 series as single seaters and 9 DC two seat trainers 005 008 pre production 180 184 series IAR 93MB MB Motor de Baza basic engine This version had the fuselage of the IAR 93B but used the non afterburning engine of the IAR 93Adelivered starting with 198215 single seaters built 201 215 IAR 93B refined version with afterburning Viper Mk 633 47 engines increased internal fuel capacity upgraded hardpoints and revised wing including leading edge extensions Also the ventral fins inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removedfirst flew in 1985 entered service in 198727 built as single seater 200 216 241 and 7 DC 600 606 Operators EditRomaniaRomanian Air Force 67th Fighter Bomber Regiment and 49th Fighter Bomber Regiment from Craiova and Ianca respectively Lost aircraft EditData from Romanian press and partially from ejection history org uk 2 002 November 24 1977 The left elevator broke off due to flutter Both pilots Col Gheorghe D Stanica and Col Petru Ailiesei ejected safely 003 February 20 1979 at Craiova Air Base Capt Eng Dobre Stan did not manage to eject 001 September 20 1979 Both engines stopped Col Ilie P Botea ejected safely 113 March 8 1983 Maj Crashed on landing due to pilot error Maj Ion G Tanase ejected safely August 14 1986 G M Stoica not confirmed or incomplete info 602 August 25 1992 Both pilots Maj Dan C Cosaceanu and Cpt Traian G Neagoe ejected safely 200 November 26 1996 at Recea Slatina Crashed during a test flight Cpt Cmdr Matei Bebe Constantin ejected safely 210 July 9 1997 at Craiova Air Base Exploded on the runway during preparations for Romanian made cluster munitions testing 16 ground personnel died The pilot Cmdr Ion Marculescu had not yet approached the plane and was unharmed 219 April 9 1998 at Ghercesti near Craiova The forward landing gear could not be deployed after a test flight Cmdr Ion Marculescu ejected safely after exhausting the fuel and the airplane crashed a few km further This was the last flight for the type Retirement Edit Dismantled IAR 93 MB 204Following the outbreak of the war in Yugoslavia and the UN embargo the IAR 93 program ended in Romania in 1992 with several airframes in different stages of construction Around 75 aircraft were still in service a few of them being used for testing and research 200 first B model with afterburners 600 DC the only one fitted with canards citation needed The last IAR 93s were withdrawn and mothballed from the Romanian Air Force in 1998 Surviving airframes are stored at Deveselu IAR 93A 116 Timișoara IAR 93MB 214 and Craiova about 60 aircraft not flight worthy engines and other equipment removed and most of them are up for sale Apparently 20 of them were scrapped until 2006 with the rest awaiting the same fate in 2007 citation needed The J 22 Orao are still in service with the air force of Serbia The last Yugoslav aircraft was delivered in February 1992 and the plant in Mostar was destroyed shortly after citation needed Aircraft on display Edit IAR 93 205 on display in Orăștie Arsenal Park 002 prototype DC Aviation Museum Bucharest 44 28 39 7 N 26 06 41 8 E 109 A Henri Coandă School courtyard Perișor Dolj 112 A Aviation Museum Bucharest 44 28 39 8 N 26 06 42 2 E 114 A Aviation Museum Bucharest 44 28 38 9 N 26 06 40 9 E 153 A at the National Military Museum Bucharest 44 26 25 3 N 26 04 36 4 E 157 A donated by the Romanian Air Force to the Museum of Aviation in Kosice Slovakia on October 23 2006 159 A in Bucharest at the gate of I N C A S Comoti Institut the birthplace of IAR 93 and IAR 99 44 26 03 5 N 26 00 21 3 E 182 A Aviation Museum Bucharest 44 28 38 5 N 26 06 39 7 E 201 MB in Timișoara on the road to Resita 45 43 8 27 N 21 11 58 77 E 205 MB 207 208 August 2022 in Orăștie at Arsenal Park 45 50 02 7 N 23 09 52 7 E 206 MB in Pivka Military History Park Pivka Slovenia IAR 93 on display at Vădeni Airfield 207 MB in Timișoara 45 44 4 65 N 21 15 49 65 E 208 MB Faur factory courtyard Bucharest 44 25 38 7 N 26 10 49 3 E 215 MB Colonești Olt 44 38 01 3 N 24 40 41 2 E 216 MB Bălăbănești Galați 46 05 22 1 N 27 43 04 6 E 223 B Gagu Dascălu 44 36 43 4 N 26 15 36 1 E 229 B Vădeni Brăila 45 21 46 572 N 27 56 22 716 E 232 B in the Military Technical Academy s courtyard Bucharest 600 DC in the Air Force Academy s courtyard BrașovIasi IAR93 Vulturul https mec tuiasi ro Facultatea de mecanica Gheorghe Asachi din IașiSpecifications IAR 93B Edit IAR 93 at the Aviation Museum in BucharestData from Avioane Craiova SA 1 INCAS IAR 93 SOKO VTJ J ORAO 3 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 14 9 m 48 ft 11 in single seat15 38 m 50 ft two seats dd dd dd Wingspan 9 3 m 30 ft 6 in Height 4 52 m 14 ft 10 in Wing area 26 m2 280 sq ft Aspect ratio 3 33 Airfoil NACA 65A 008 mod 4 Empty weight 5 750 kg 12 677 lb Gross weight 8 400 kg 18 519 lb Max takeoff weight 10 900 kg 24 030 lb Maximum landing weight 9 360 kg 20 635 lb Fuel capacity 2 400 kg 5 291 lb Powerplant 2 Turbomecanica Orao built Rolls Royce Viper Mk 633 47 afterburning turbojet engines 17 79 kN 4 000 lbf thrust each dry 22 24 kN 5 000 lbf with afterburnerPerformance Maximum speed 1 086 km h 675 mph 586 kn at sea level Maximum speed Mach 0 9 Cruise speed 1 087 km h 675 mph 587 kn M0 88 at 5 000 m 16 404 ft Stall speed 274 km h 170 mph 148 kn Combat range 260 km 160 mi 140 nmi lo lo lo with four rocket launchers 5 min over target380 km 240 mi 210 nmi hi hi hi patrol with three 500 litre drop tanks 45 min over target 450 km 280 mi 240 nmi lo lo hi with two rocket launchers six 100 kg bombs and one 500 litre drop tank 10 min over target 530 km 330 mi 290 nmi hi hi hi with four 250 kg bombs and one 500 litre drop tank 5 min over target dd dd dd Service ceiling 13 600 m 44 600 ft g limits 8 4 2 Rate of climb 65 m s 12 800 ft min Wing loading 419 2 kg m2 85 9 lb sq ft Thrust weight 0 417 Take off run 800 m 2 625 ft Take off run to 15 m 49 ft 1 150 m 3 773 ft Landing run 1 050 m 3 445 ft 690 m 2 264 ft with brake parachute dd dd dd Landing run from 15 m 49 ft 1 520 m 4 987 ft 1 520 m 4 987 ft with brake parachute dd dd dd Armament Guns 2 23 mm Gryazev Shipunov GSh 23 autocannons in lower front fuselage below engine air intakes with 200 rounds per gun gun camera and GEC Marconi D282 gyro gunsight installed Hardpoints up to 2 500 kg 5 511 lb on 5 pylons Rockets LPR 122 LPR 57 PRN 80 Missiles Air to air missiles K 13 license built in Romania as A 91 only on some IAR 93B R 60 Air to surface missiles Kh 23 Grom AGM 65 Maverick Bombs BM 500 general purpose bomb BEM 250 BE 100 BL755 cluster bombAvionics VHF UHF air to air and air to ground radio 20W transmission power gyro unit Honeywell SGP500 twin gyro platform in ORAO radio altimeter ADF radio compass and marker receiver IFF IAR 93B only GEC Marconi three axis stability augmentation system incorporating a basic bank altitude hold autopilot and emergency wings level facilitySee also EditRelated development Soko J 22 OraoAircraft of comparable role configuration and era AMX Mikoyan MiG 27 Mitsubishi F 1 SEPECAT Jaguar Xian JH 7References Edit a b IAR 93 History Archived from the original on 2012 02 27 Retrieved 2009 09 28 Chronological Listing of Romanian Losses amp Ejections Archived from the original on 2009 01 05 Retrieved 2009 12 17 INCAS IAR 93 SOKO VTJ J ORAO www incas ro Retrieved 7 October 2019 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to IAR 93 National Institute for Aerospace Research Elie Carafoli Photos of IAR 93 at Airliners net More photos at aeroflight co uk Retired aircraft at 322 Aviation Maintenance Centre Craiova Movie at YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title IAR 93 Vultur amp oldid 1153126599, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
