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Industria Aeronautică Română

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Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) S.A. Brașov
Company typePublic company
IndustryAerospace manufacturing
Founded1925
FounderRomanian government (supported establishment)
Headquarters
Ghimbav
,
Romania
Area served
Romania, international (exports)
ProductsAircraft, helicopters, gliders, light aircraft, upgrades and maintenance services
Number of employees
1,200 ((approximate, recent))

Industria Aeronautică Română

Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR), currently operating as IAR S.A. Brașov, represents a prominent Romanian aerospace manufacturer. Situated in Ghimbav, in close proximity to Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport, Romania, the company has played a significant role in the nation's aviation sector.

Established in 1925 with support from the Romanian government, IAR was created to diminish dependence on foreign suppliers for aircraft and related equipment for the Royal Romanian Air Force. Alongside developing its own aircraft designs, the firm also undertook licensed production of numerous foreign models. One of its notable achievements during the Second World War was the production of the IAR 80, a low-wing all-metal monoplane fighter extensively deployed by Romania throughout the conflict.

During the Cold War period, IAR expanded its portfolio to include helicopter manufacturing by securing licensing agreements with French companies. This collaboration gave rise to models such as the IAR 316 and IAR 330. In 2000, IAR joined forces with the multinational helicopter producer Eurocopter Group, establishing the joint venture Eurocopter Romania. Today, the company employs approximately 1,200 professionals, including over 170 engineers, focusing on upgrades, maintenance, and overhaul services for helicopters and light aircraft.

Founding and Initial Phase

File:Sigla Întreprinderea Aeronautică Română.jpg
Historic IAR emblem

To guarantee the Royal Romanian Air Force (known as the Aeronautica Regală Română, or ARR) had a domestic source of aircraft, independent from international manufacturers, the Romanian authorities supported the establishment of three primary aircraft producers during the interwar years. The earliest was Societatea pentru Exploatări Tehnice (SET), which was established in Bucharest in 1923. Following this, IAR was founded in Brașov in 1925. The last of the trio was Întreprinderea de Construcții Aeronautice Românești (ICAR), created in Bucharest in 1932, operating a manufacturing site in Brașov called ICA-Brașov (Întreprinderea de Construcții Aeronautice - Brașov).

Among the engineers contributing to IAR's early aircraft designs in the 1930s was Elie Carafoli. In 1930, IAR's inaugural original model, the IAR CV 11, undertook its maiden flight, serving solely as an experimental prototype.[1] One of IAR’s first aircraft to enter mass production was the IAR 14, a training plane developed from the IAR 12 prototype.[2] Later in the decade, the more sophisticated IAR 27 trainer was produced in substantial numbers.[3]

Besides developing its own models, IAR also engaged in licensed production of foreign aircraft designs. The innovative Polish fighter, the PZL P.11, attracted Romanian interest and led to IAR manufacturing a series of 95 units known as the P.11f starting in 1936.[4] The Romanian Air Force valued this type highly, prompting them to authorize licensed manufacture of its upgraded variant, the PZL P.24, which had been specifically designed for export markets. Both fighters were actively deployed during the Second World War.[5]

Throughout World War II, IAR dedicated efforts to producing significant quantities of combat aircraft for Romania’s armed forces. Among their most notable creations during this period was the IAR 80, a low-wing monoplane fighter and ground-attack aircraft featuring an all-metal monocoque structure. When it took flight for the first time in 1939, the IAR 80 was considered comparable to leading contemporary fighters such as the British Hawker Hurricane and German Messerschmitt Bf 109E.[6] A subsequent improved variant known as the IAR 81 was developed and manufactured midway through the war.[7] This model remained operational on front lines until May 1945 when hostilities ceased with Victory in Europe Day.[8]

Cold War era

Following World War II, beginning in 1946, IAR shifted its focus to tractor manufacturing. The inaugural tractor model produced was the IAR 22.[9] [10]

Between 1945 and 1947, under the leadership of Radu Manicatide and Radu Mărdărescu, IAR designed a microcar called the M.R. along with an automobile prototype. Nevertheless, the company chose not to continue pursuing road vehicle production in the long run.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 1947, IAR was rebranded as the Intreprinderea Metalurgica de Stat (State Ironworks), and a year later, it adopted the name Uzina Tractorul Brașov [ro] (UTB).[9][10]

File:IIL logo.png
Logo of IIL

The modern incarnation of IAR was founded again in 1968 at Ghimbav, initially called Intreprinderea de Construcţii Aeronautice (ICA).[11] This entity evolved from the former glider manufacturer Intreprinderea de Industrie Locală (IIL).[12] During this period, the company expanded its production to include helicopters, motor gliders, and airplanes, in addition to gliders. Romania secured various licensing agreements with French manufacturers, enabling IAR to produce the Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III under the local designation IAR 316.[13] Additionally, IAR manufactured a domestically produced variant of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma, named the IAR 330.[14] These rotorcraft were supplied not only to domestic users such as the Romanian Air Force but also exported internationally; approximately one-third of all IAR 330 helicopters were sold abroad.[14][15] In the late 1980s, a collaboration between Soviet and Romanian entities resulted in developing the Kamov Ka-126 helicopter; however, production ceased shortly after the Romanian Revolution and the fall of the Communist regime, with only a limited number built.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Since its reestablishment in 1968, IAR has manufactured over 360 helicopters, alongside approximately 830 gliders—including motor gliders—and around 136 light aircraft.[11]

Twenty-first century

In the late 1990s, the American aerospace firm Bell Helicopters initiated talks regarding the acquisition of a controlling interest in IAR. According to the aerospace magazine Flight International, Bell was poised to secure a 70 percent ownership stake in the company. This potential deal was closely connected to Romania’s planned purchase of the AH-1RO Dracula attack helicopter, which was intended to be produced domestically by IAR. However, by 1998, the acquisition was deferred as efforts concentrated on securing financing for the AH-1RO procurement. After extended negotiations, Bell announced in November 1999 that it had decided to withdraw from plans to take over IAR and manufacture the AH-1RO locally.

In 2000, it became public that the multinational helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter Group was exploring its own proposal to acquire IAR. Later that year, IAR and Eurocopter jointly established Eurocopter Romania, with IAR holding a 49% share in this new joint venture. In November 2015, Airbus Helicopters declared an investment of €52 million towards a Romanian production facility for the 8.6-tonne H215M Super Puma. This investment hinged on an initial Romanian government order for 16 units to sustain ongoing production of this helicopter model.

Products

File:IAR-27 YR-AUL.jpg
IAR 27
File:Sublocotenent erou Mircea Lipan şi avionul IAR-37 - 1941.JPG
IAR 37
File:IAR-80.jpg
IAR 80
File:IAR 823 F-AZLQ.jpg
IAR 823
File:Romanian IAR 316 (cropped).jpg
IAR 316
File:!IAR-330 Puma SOCAT antitank gunship 2 (cropped).jpg
IAR 330 SOCAT
Model Maiden flight Quantity produced Category
IAR CV 11 1930 1 Single-engine monoplane fighter aircraft
IAR 12 1933 1 Single-engine monoplane fighter
IAR 13 1933 1 Single-engine monoplane fighter
IAR 14 1933 21 Single-engine monoplane fighter
IAR 15 1933 5 Single-engine monoplane fighter
IAR 16 1934 1 Single-engine monoplane fighter
IAR 21 1 Single-engine monoplane trainer
IAR 22 2 Single-engine monoplane trainer
IAR 23 1 Single-engine monoplane touring aircraft
IAR 24 1 Single-engine monoplane touring aircraft
IAR 27 1937 200+ Single-engine monoplane trainer
IAR 37 1937 50 Single-engine biplane light bomber
IAR 38 1937 75 Single-engine biplane light bomber
IAR 39 1937 95 (plus an additional 160 constructed by SET) Single-engine biplane light bomber
IAR 47 1942 2 Single-engine monoplane light bomber
IAR 79 1937 72 Twin-engine monoplane bomber
IAR 80 1939 250 Single-engine monoplane fighter
IAR 81 1939 200 Single-engine monoplane fighter/dive bomber
IAR 471

N/A 

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1 

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Single-engine monoplane dive bomber

License-built Aircraft 

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Morane-Saulnier AR#Morane-Saulnier MS.35 

  align = center |

— 

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30 

  align = left |

License-produced single-engine monoplane trainer 

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Potez 25 

  align = center |

— 

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217 

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License-produced single-engine biplane light bomber 

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PZL P.11#Variants—IAR P.11F 

  align = center |

— 

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95 

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License-produced single-engine monoplane fighter 

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PZL P.24#Variants—IAR P.24E 

  align = center |

— 

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25 

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License-produced single-engine monoplane fighter 

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Fleet Model 10G 

  align = center |

— 

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95 

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License-produced single-engine biplane trainer 

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Savoia-Marchetti SM.62 

   align = center|

— 

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5 

   align = left|

License-produced single-engine flying boat patrol aircraft

Assembled Aircraft 

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Messerschmitt Bf 109#Variants—Bf109G G variant 

   align = center|

1943 

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124 (including some completed postwar) 

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Single-engine monoplane fighter

Postwar Models 

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IAR 811 

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1949 

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1 

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Single-engine monoplane trainer 

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IAR 813 

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1950 

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80 

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Single-engine monoplane trainer 

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IAR 814 

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1953 

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10 

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Twin-engine monoplane transport aircraft 

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IAR 817 

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1955 

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60+ 

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Single-engine utility airplane 

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IAR 818 

    align="center"|1960    

    align="left"|Single engine utility airplane    

    align="left"|IAR 821    

    align="center"|1967    

    align="center"|21    

    align="left"|Single engine agricultural airplane    

    align="left"|IAR 822    

    align="center"|1970    

    align="center"|30    

    align="left"|Single engine agricultural airplane    

    align="left"|IAR 823    

    align="center"|1973    

    align="center"|80    

    align="left"|Single engine trainer airplane    

    align="left"|IAR 824     

    align="center"|1971     

    align="center"|10     

    alignment="left"|"Single engine utility airplane"     

     alignment="left"|IAR 825#Triumf—IAR 825 Triumf     

     alignment="center"|1982     

     alignment="center"|1     

     alignment="left"|"Single engine trainer airplane"     

     alignment="left"|IAR 826      

     alignment="center"|1973      

     alignment="center"|13      

     alignment="left"|"Single engine agricultural airplane"      

     alignment="left"|IAR 827      

     alignment="center"|1976      

     alignment="center"|17      

     alignment="left"|"Single engine agricultural airplane"      

     alignment="left"|IAR 831      

     alignment="center"|1983      

     alignment="center"|1      

     alignment="left"|"Single engine trainer airplane"      

      alignment="left"|IAR 46       

      alignment="center"|1993       

      alignment="left"|"Single engine touring airplane"
- Helicopters Maiden flight Quantity produced Category
\nModel \nFirst flight \nNumber built \nType
\nIAR 316 Alouette III \n— \n250 \nSingle engine utility helicopter
\nIAR 317 Airfox \n— \n1 \nSingle engine attack helicopter
\nIAR 330 Puma \n1975 \nOver163 \nTwin engine utility helicopter
\nKamov Ka-126 \n1988 \n17 \nSingle engine utility helicopter
- Gliders First flight Quantity produced Type
\nICA IS-3 \n— \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-4 \n1959 \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-8 \n1960 \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-10 \n1960 \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-11 \n1959 \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-12 \n1960 \n1 \nGlider
\nICA IS-13 \n1960 \n1 \nGlider
\nICA IS-23 \n1968 \n— \nSingle engine utility airplane
\nICA IS-28 \n1970 \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-28M \n— \n— \nMotorglider
\nICA IS-29 \n1970 \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-30 \n— \n— \nGlider
\nICA IS-31 \n— \n— \nGlider

See also

Footnotes

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ Morgała 1997, p. 63.
  5. ↑ Cynk 1967, p. 7.
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CoF
  8. ↑ Antoniu and Cicos 2000, pp. 239–248.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named utb
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named iar
  12. ↑ Gudju, Iacobescu & Ionescu 1974, p. 48.
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WORLD AIR FORCES 2013
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named marnix
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IISSMB

Bibliography

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  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

External links

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