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G’day lads. I want to suggest a Romanian IAR-99 upgraded with the help of Elbit Systems, giving it access to a lot of modern weaponry, which is quite unusual for an aircraft that was originally a trainer, and ofc if you’ve read the title, I’m talking about the IAR-99C “Șoim”, meaning Hawk :)
Description:
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The IAR-99C Șoim is a Romanian advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft developed by Avioane Craiova. It features a single Rolls-Royce Viper 632-41M turbojet engine, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of Mach 0.76 (approximately 920 km/h). The aircraft has a service ceiling of 12,900 meters and a range of 1,100 km in trainer configuration or 967 km in ground attack configuration. Its armament includes air-to-air missiles, laser or infrared guided bombs, and 57mm rockets. The cockpit has tandem seating for two crew members. First flown on December 21, 1985, and introduced into service in 1987, the IAR-99C Șoim is known for its high agility, with a g-limit of +7 to -3.6G, making it suitable for both training and combat roles. It also features advanced avionics provided by Elbit Systems, enhancing its training capabilities and compatibility with modern fighter aircraft.
History:
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In the late 1970s, the Romanian aerospace sector, through the Institute for Aeronautical Research (INCREST), initiated this challenging project. Their goal was to produce an aircraft that would not only fulfill the Romanian Air Force’s training needs but also attract potential international buyers. During its design and development phase, Romanian engineers and military experts worked together to integrate training and light attack functionalities into a single aircraft. By the mid-1980s, they had built the first prototype, which made its maiden flight (of the Șoim) on December 21, 1985.
Upon its entry into service in 1987, the IAR-99 quickly became the Romanian Air Force’s main advanced trainer. It played a key role in helping pilots transition from basic trainers to more sophisticated fighter jets. Its solid construction and dependable performance made it popular among both pilots and ground staff.
In the 1990s, modernization efforts for the IAR-99 began. Recognizing the need for updated avionics, Romania partnered with international defense firms like Elbit Systems from Israel and BAE Systems from the UK. These collaborations led to the development of the IAR-99C variant, which boasted a glass cockpit, modern avionics, and enhanced weapon systems. These improvements increased the aircraft’s operational versatility, making it compatible with contemporary NATO standards.
Throughout its service life, the IAR-99 has been extensively used for pilot training. It has also been employed in limited light attack roles, such as ground support and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft’s adaptability and flexibility have ensured its continued importance in the Romanian Air Force. Despite its advanced features and competitive pricing, the IAR-99 struggled to secure export orders. Factors such as competition from other well-established trainers and economic and political issues limited its success in international markets.
Armaments:
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If I’m not mistaken, the Șoim can carry the same guided weapons such as AAM’s and GBU’s as the LanceR. However I’ll still take them with a grain of salt, so I’ll just mark the weapons I’m not 100% sure it could carry with a *.
GSh-23-2 gunpod
PKT 7.62mm gunpod
R-73*
Magic 2*
Python 3 missiles
R-60M missiles
R-13 missiles
A-91 (R-3S) missiles
IR guided Opher bomb series (max 4 bombs? Idk if it has dual racks to carry more than 4)
Laser guided Griffin/Lizard bomb series (max 4 bombs? Same for this series, idk if it can also have dual racks so it can have more than 4 bombs)
Dumb bombs such as the Romanian BE bomb series (50kg, 100kg, etc.)
Mk. 82 dumb bombs
LPR-57 rockets (iirc this is just a S-5 with 16x rocket capacity)
Laser designation pod (not specified which one it is, but most likely the same LITENING one found on the LanceR)
SEBAV pod
Electronic Warfare Self-Protection
Flare/Chaff launchers
Specifications:
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The dimensions of the Șoim are the following; a length of 11.01m, a height of 3.9m, a wingspan of 9.85m and a wing area of 18.71 square meters. It’s empty weight is around 3,200kg, meanwhile its combat weight for ground attacks is 5,560kg. Powering it is a Rolls-Royce Viper Mk632-4, giving out about 4,000lbf of thrust. Because of the engine, it achieves a max speed of 865km/h with nothing equipped, aka when it’s used for training.
Sources:
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IAR 99 SOIM – Avioane Craiova s.a.
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/iar_99c/?cf-view
https://www.planepictures.net/v3/show_en.php?id=932854
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/848224911056948512/
Romanian IAR-99 trainer jet turns 25 - Blog Before Flight - Aerospace and Defense News
https://www.afahc.ro/ro/afases/2011/air_force/DRAGOMIR_Nuta_Firanescu_Sandu.pdf
IAR-99 Soim Advanced Trainer | MilitaryToday.com
Avioane IAR 99 Soim (Hawk) Advanced Jet Trainer / Light Strike Aircraft
Avioane IAR 99 Șoim (Hawk) - War Wings Daily
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)