A J-22 Orao of the Serbian Air Force in flight over Kecskemet on August 12th, 2007.
The Soko J-22 Orao (Eagle) is a Yugoslav twin-engined, subsonic ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It was designed as a single-seat main attack version or as a combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon training. It was developed as a joint Yugoslav-Romanian project in the 1970s for the air forces of both nations, SOKO built it in Yugoslavia, and Avioane Craiova built it as the IAR-93 Vultur in Romania.
Variants[]
- IJ-22 Orao 1: Designation applies to 15 Yugoslav-built pre-production aircraft (including a few completed to INJ-22A Orao two-seat standard) with the non-afterburning powerplant and used for the tactical reconnaissance role with a centerline optical and/or IR sensor pod. The IJ-22A Orao 1 differs from the J-22B Orao 2 in having two Viper Mk 632-41R turbojets each rated at 17.79 kN dry and supplied with fuel from an internal weight of 2,360 kg, length of 14.90 m including probe for single seat model or 15.38 m including probe for two-seat model, wheelbase of 5.40 m for single-seat model or 5.88 m for two-seat model, empty equipped weight of 5,755 kg, normal takeoff weight of 8,500 kg with reconnaissance pod, maximum take-off weight of 9500, maximum level speed ‘clean’ of 1,033 km/h at 8,000 m and 1,050 km/h at sea level, maximum rate of climb at sea level of 2,280 m per minute, climb to 6000 m in 3 minutes 12 seconds, and service ceiling of 13,500 m.
- J-22A Orao 1: Yugoslav equivalent to IAR-93A with a non-afterburning Orao/Turbomecanica (Rolls-Royce/Bristol Siddeley) Viper Mk 632-41R turbojets each rated at 17.79 kN dry, but with J-22Bs higher-rated hardpoints. First flew October 1983 and built only as a single-seater.
- J-22B Orao 2: Yugoslav equivalent to the IAR-93B with afterburner, integral wing tankage, the greater weapons load and diversity of the J-22A Orao 1, and Thomson-CSF HUD. Built only in single-seat form. J-22A/B production will total 165 aircraft.
- J-22C Orao 3: Another major upgrade with radar and computer nav/attack system integrated via a MIL 1553B digital database. The Viper turbojets were also replaced by the Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.801 afterburning turbofan.
- NJ-22 Orao: Dedicated two-seat reconnaissance variant operated by Royal Yugoslav Air Force with provision for an optical/IR sensor pod on centerline. First flew in July 1986, and 35 were delivered in NJ-22A Orao 1 and NJ-22B Orao 2 forms with non-afterburning and afterburning powerplants respectively
