Avioane Craiova
| File:Avioane Craiova S.A. Logo.svg | |
.jpg) IAR 99 Șoim at the Craiova aircraft factory, 2020 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | , |
| Website | www.acv.ro |
Avioane Craiova S.A. (translated as Craiova Airplanes in English) is an aerospace firm situated in Ghercești, close to Craiova, Romania. The company has played a significant role in producing various military aircraft, such as the IAR-93 Vultur ground-attack fighter, the IAR-99 advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, as well as the discontinued IAR-95 Spey fighter project.
Founded in 1972, Avioane Craiova was tasked with designing, manufacturing, and supporting multiple military aircraft models. Its primary client has been the Romanian Air Force, though the company has also sought to expand through export opportunities. Since the early 2000s, there have been ongoing initiatives by the Romanian government aimed at privatizing Avioane Craiova.
History
Soon after its inception in 1972, Avioane Craiova engaged in a collaborative multinational project with neighboring Yugoslavia to jointly develop and produce a twin-engine military aircraft designed for ground attack and tactical reconnaissance roles—the IAR-93 Vultur.[1][2] Alongside Avioane Craiova, two other Romanian manufacturers—Aerostar Bacău and IAR Brașov—partnered with Yugoslavian firm SOKO on this program. The IAR-93 took its maiden flight in 1985, with roughly 200 units produced and delivered to the Romanian Air Force before production ceased in 1992. Throughout the 1990s, Avioane Craiova independently proposed several enhancements and upgrades for the existing IAR-93 fleet.[1]
In the late 1970s, Avioane Craiova initiated development of a domestic supersonic fighter jet project known as the IAR-95, intended to equip the Romanian Air Force. Although work on this aircraft was halted in 1981, it was briefly resumed before being definitively cancelled in 1988, reportedly due to financial constraints. No prototype was completed; however, a partial full-scale mockup had been constructed.[3]
During the 1980s, Avioane Craiova embarked on another project that resulted in the creation of an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft—the IAR-99.[1] Production began in 1987; however, economic difficulties faced by Romania in the early 1990s slowed progress. In September 1998, the Romanian government approved funding for upgrading its fleet of 24 IAR-99s with new avionics developed jointly with Israeli aerospace firm Elbit Systems.[4] As of 2009, Avioane Craiova asserted that production continued on the updated IAR-99 Șoim (Hawk) variant.[5][6] By 2017, only nineteen units remained operational within the Romanian Air Force—the aircraft's sole operator. Avioane Craiova continued efforts to enhance and promote upgraded versions of the IAR-99 as recently as September 2017.[7]
Throughout the 2000s, privatization drives by the Romanian government targeted state-owned enterprises including Avioane Craiova. In May 2008, aerospace publication Flight International reported three bidders had submitted proposals to acquire up to an 81 percent stake: Italian manufacturer Alenia Aeronautica, Czech company Aero Vodochody, and local firm INAV Bucharest.[8] Aero Vodochody initially appeared favored due to its plans to develop aerostructure capabilities at Avioane Craiova. However, by October of that year all bidders withdrew after failing to accept contractual conditions, necessitating a restart of the privatization process.[9]
In 2020, Avioane Craiova secured a contract to upgrade ten IAR-99 Standard aircraft to the IAR-99 SM configuration. Although deliveries were scheduled for completion by 2024, delays attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine postponed progress. The first modernized aircraft completed refurbishment testing in December 2023.[10]
Warbird initiatives
Avioane Craiova undertook the production of Yak-3U replicas, commencing in 1992 following an order for ten aircraft placed by a French firm. The design was based on the Yak-11 no. 47 housed at the National Military Museum, which had been converted into a single-seat aerobatic aircraft during the 1950s. The inaugural flight of the first Yak-3U reproduction occurred in 1994, two years subsequent to finalizing the agreement.[11]
A total of nine replicas were equipped with Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines. Later, in 2005, a version featuring a more robust R-2000 engine was developed.[11] This particular model was acquired by Will Whiteside, who named it "Steadfast" and modified it for participation in the Reno Air Races.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 2011, Whiteside established the World Speed Record for aircraft under 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) at Wendover, Utah, achieving a velocity of 670 km/h (416 mph).[12][13]
By 2013, the aircraft had been relocated to Australia and was registered as VH-YOV on December 24 of that year.[12] Subsequently, in September 2019, it was obtained by the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.[13]
Products
| Model designation | Maiden flight | Quantity produced | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAR 93 Vultur | 1974 | 88 | Twin-engine monoplane ground attack aircraft |
| IAR 99 | 1985 | 28 | Single-engine monoplane advanced trainer aircraft |
| Yakovlev Yak-3 | 1994 | 10 | Replica single-engine monoplane fighter aircraft |
Ongoing projects
See also
Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Military Aircraft Directory: Avioane". Flight International. 29 September 1998.
- ↑ Fredriksen 2001, p. 301.
- ↑ "Supersonic Projects". INCAS. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ↑ "Romania approves funding for Soim upgrade". Flight International. 16 September 1998.
- ↑ "History". Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
- ↑ "Romania shows upgrades". Flight International. 18 June 1997.
- ↑ Hoyle, Craig (7 September 2017). "Vixen radar chosen for Romanian trainer project". Flight International.
- ↑ "Business briefings". Flight International. 28 May 2008.
- ↑ "Business briefings". Flight International. 6 October 2008.
- ↑ "După o lungă întârziere au început la Craiova probele cu primul avion IAR 99 SM care a fost modernizat". G4Media (in română). 22 December 2023.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedflyagain - ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedrumaniamilitary - ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedomaka
Bibliography
- Fredriksen, John C. (2001). International Warbirds: A Visual Reference to Global Military Aircraft, 1914-2000. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 1-57607-364-5.
External links
