The Avioane Craiova IAR-93 Vultur (Eagle) is a twinjet, subsonic, close support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Built as single-seat main attack version or combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon training, it was developed in 1970s by Romania and Yugoslavia to replace their early Cold War-era aircraft. The Romanian aircraft were built by I.R.Av. Craiova as IAR-93, and its Yugoslav counterpart by Soko as the Soko J-22 Orao. For Romania, the IAR-93 was intended to replace Supermarine Attacker and Hawker Hunter in the fighter-bomber role.
Variants[]
- IAR-93A: Initial production version with non-afterburning Viper Mk.632-41 turbojets.
- IAR-93MB:This version had the fuselage of the IAR-93B but used the non-afterburning engine of the IAR-93A with deliveries starting with 1982.
- IAR-93B: A refined version with afterburning Viper Mk.633-47 engines, increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded hardpoints and revised wing, including leading edge extensions. Also, the ventral fins, inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removed. It first flew in 1985 and entered service in 1987.
