IAR-99 Şoim

Development of this advanced training and light attack aircraft started in the 70s as the first fully Romanian-made and designed jet. The first prototype performed its maiden flight on 12th December 1985. Three prototypes were built and one of them was used for endurance tests. IAR-99 is a fully metallic aircraft, very simple as far as its construction is concerned, similar to British Hawk. "Hawk".
Due to its high maneuverability it is considered one of the best aircraft of this class. It has a very robust and reliable turbojet engine, Rolls-Royce Viper 632-41, the same with IAR-93 strike aircraft.
IAR-99 is built for the Romanian Air Force with a new avionics similar to MiG-21 Lancer's. It is also provided with a computer, Head-up and Head-down Displays, Inertial Navigation System/GPS, HOTAS, VHF/UHF radio. Data transfer system processes data received via datalink from another aircraft or ground station equipped with a similar system. Information is displayed on a "virtual radar" screen simulated in the cockpit so that the pilot could practise his skills in using the radar without a real device. For its own protection the aircraft is provided with: a warning radar, chaff and flares, and an ECM pod.
The ejection seats are Martin Baker Mk-10L "zero-zero" type.
IAR-99 aircraft entered the Romanian Air Force inventory in 1988. Presently there are 15 IAR-99 Standard and 3 IAR-99 Soim in the inventory of the Air Force Application School "Aurel Vlaicu".