Romania's newly upgraded IAR-99 SOIM trainer is on show at Paris for the first time after making its maiden flight only three weeks ago.
The jet powered SOIM is intended as a lead-in trainer for advanced fast jets such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Hornet, according to Avioane SA's SOIM technical manager Valentin Bernovschi.
Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd has co-produced the SOIM with the Romanians, following up on its successful efforts jointly to upgrade MiG-21s.
Latest standards
"We have upgraded the cockpit and avionics to the latest standards," says Bernovschi. "The original aircraft flew first in 1985 and an early upgraded version of the aircraft flew at Farnborough in 1992 and Paris in 1993. The latest aircraft has an MMR computer to control navigation and targeting."
"The older version is in service with the Romanian air force and they will be the first customers for the upgraded aircraft," he says.
It is intended that the SOIM will be used in parallel with the MiG-21 acting a lead-in trainer. With a price tag of $4 to $4.5million the Romanians are hoping to secure a place in the highly competitive jet trainer market.
You can view the SOIM all week on the Paris flightline, next to the Israeli pavilion.
Source: Flight Daily News
