steppewolfRO

IAR-99 Soim

This is probably the most successful plane project, it is still in service today and went trough various upgrades and variants. A new plane based on this one, with a new engine, for advanced trained/light attack but this isn't important for actual scope of this post.



IAR 99 "Șoim" (Hawk) is an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft capable of performing close air support and reconnaissance missions.




Development of the aircraft began in 1975 and it entered series production in 1987. Until 1989 17 Soims were delivered to Romanian Air Force.

this is an early 90s plane, apparently without upgrades:



Basic IAR-99 went trough 2 upgrade programs:

First one was in partnership with Israel in 1992. IAR-109 Swift was equipped with HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) controls, wide angle head-up display and ring laser gyro inertial navigation system. This aircraft had integrated both Eastern and Western weapon systems. Its export variant was the IAR-109TF, which also had secondary light attack capability. However in 1994 this programme was interrupted.

Second one, which is now operational was an  upgrade programe and  first upgraded aircraft made its maiden flight in 1997. In 1998 the Romanian Government ordered upgrade of IAR-99s. These upgraded aircraft were designated as the IAR-99C. Here is a photo of a plane with Python AA missiles. Aircraft has Israeli avionics package compatible with 5th generation fighter systems:



Romanian Air Force operate a total of 12 upgraded IAR-99C Soim and there is an intention to add a new plane with a new engine, improved fuselage etc.



There is much available online information about this plane. First link is the page of the designing institute
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=125
Second link is the page of the producer:
http://www.acv.ro/products_en.php?m=1&s=1

Plane on display at the producer's premises with weapons:

 
 
So to summarize, these were the projects:
 
IAR-93 Vultur was a close air support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Combat capable two-seat version used also for advanced flying and weapon training. Started to fly in later 70s and was withdrew from service in later 90s. Before 1989 it was decided to be upgraded with equipment that was researched for IAR-95 (radar, avionics, missiles).

IAR 95 Spey/ME/S was a supersonic lightweight multirole fighter which was meant to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23; it was never completed because a suitable engine couldn’t be procured or produced under license.

IAR-99 was a trainer/light attack plane which was supposed to replace L-29 and L-39ZA. It is in service today with an upgraded variant able to launch guided missiles.
 
Although little is known about the planning of RSR (Romania Socialist Republic) military, I think the aim was to make it selfsufficient and standard because also a lot of other stuff was built like IR AA RAV-RS, A-921 air-ground missile (enhanced Kh-23), SEBAv submunitions launchers, radars, active jammers, chaff, flares etc.
 
It is obvious to me that Romanian planners kept an eye on Western weapons and cooperated with China.

As far as know Romania did not wanted to make another joint project with Yugoslavia for mainly two reasons: Tito started later in his life an approach on Soviet Union, fearing that state will be dismantled after his death and also refused to share technological upgrades of IAR-93. Yugoslav Orao was much more developed, truly CAS fighter while Romanian one was only capable to launch iron bombs or submunitions (e.g. clusters) and ability to launch KH-23 for example was possible later than Yugoslav equivalent.
 
Here is a post about IAR-93 which I made on another forum, you may find it interesting:
 
IAR-93 VULTUR or J-22 ORAO (Yugoslav variant):



Yugoslav early loadout:


Romanian early loadout:



An extensive technical description is available here:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=118

Variants in service in RoAF:

IAR-93P1 (or A variant)
IAR-93P2 (or same A variant) – both pre-series variants.

IAR-93MB Vultur - 1982 (MB stands for “Basic Engine” which means this was the basic variants and first two were pre series);  2x 23 mm, 3 x 250 kg and 2 IR AA missiles load, 5 x 250 kg HE or 4 x LPR-57mm-32;

IAR-93B Vultur – 1985, entered service 1987; with afterburners; biggest number of built planes and used by RoAF was of this sort; increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded hard points and revised wing, including leading edge extensions. Also, the ventral fins, inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removed. This variant can be loaded with 5 x 500 kg iron bombs since its engines were more powerful.



The SEBAv submunition dispenser was developed for the IAR-93 and it was intended to be produced in 3 variants, SEBAv 1, 2 and 3 which were either clusters or anti-infantry submunitions. Also it was meant to incorporate Romanian made chaff, flares, IR traps, jammers who were incorporated in IAR-99 upgraded variant or MIG-21 upgrade Lancer A/B/C. Also, similar with Yugoslav ORAO it was meant to use guided missiles/bombs in later 80s/early 90s but eventually it was decided to be retired. Knowledge was used to upgrade IAR-99 with Israeli help.
Armament:
•    2 x 23 mm GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon in lower front fuselage, below engine air intakes, with 200 rds/gun; gun camera and GEC-Marconi D282 gyro gunsight
•    up to 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) on 5 pylons
•    BM 500 bomb
•    BEM 250 bomb
•    BE 100 bomb
•    LPR 122 rocket launcher
•    LPR 57 rocket launcher
•    PRN 80 rocket launcher
•    AA-2 Atoll / R-3S AAM (license-built in Romania as A-91) - only on some IAR-93B



Armament only on the J-22 ORAO
•    BL755 cluster bombs
•    AGM-65 Maverick TV guided AGM
•    AS-7 Kerry / Kh-23 Grom AGM
•    AA-8 'Aphid' AAM


It was used in Yugoslav wars:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soko_J-22_Orao




Few videos:

lHRSoCzAv2w

-PGOYC5KPCc

Jeg_MnUqfow


Various load-outs of Romanian version:

IAR-99 Soim

This is probably the most successful plane project, it is still in service today and went trough various upgrades and variants. A new plane based on this one, with a new engine, for advanced trained/light attack but this isn't important for actual scope of this post.



IAR 99 "Șoim" (Hawk) is an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft capable of performing close air support and reconnaissance missions.




Development of the aircraft began in 1975 and it entered series production in 1987. Until 1989 17 Soims were delivered to Romanian Air Force.

this is an early 90s plane, apparently without upgrades:



Basic IAR-99 went trough 2 upgrade programs:

First one was in partnership with Israel in 1992. IAR-109 Swift was equipped with HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) controls, wide angle head-up display and ring laser gyro inertial navigation system. This aircraft had integrated both Eastern and Western weapon systems. Its export variant was the IAR-109TF, which also had secondary light attack capability. However in 1994 this programme was interrupted.

Second one, which is now operational was an  upgrade programe and  first upgraded aircraft made its maiden flight in 1997. In 1998 the Romanian Government ordered upgrade of IAR-99s. These upgraded aircraft were designated as the IAR-99C. Here is a photo of a plane with Python AA missiles. Aircraft has Israeli avionics package compatible with 5th generation fighter systems:



Romanian Air Force operate a total of 12 upgraded IAR-99C Soim and there is an intention to add a new plane with a new engine, improved fuselage etc.



There is much available online information about this plane. First link is the page of the designing institute
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=125
Second link is the page of the producer:
http://www.acv.ro/products_en.php?m=1&s=1

Plane on display at the producer's premises with weapons:

 
 
So to summarize, these were the projects:
 
IAR-93 Vultur was a close air support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Combat capable two-seat version used also for advanced flying and weapon training. Started to fly in later 70s and was withdrew from service in later 90s. Before 1989 it was decided to be upgraded with equipment that was researched for IAR-95 (radar, avionics, missiles).

IAR 95 Spey/ME/S was a supersonic lightweight multirole fighter which was meant to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23; it was never completed because a suitable engine couldn’t be procured or produced under license.

IAR-99 was a trainer/light attack plane which was supposed to replace L-29 and L-39ZA. It is in service today with an upgraded variant able to launch guided missiles.
 
Although little is known about the planning of RSR (Romania Socialist Republic) military, I think the aim was to make it selfsufficient and standard because also a lot of other stuff was built like IR AA RAV-RS, A-921 air-ground missile (enhanced Kh-23), SEBAv submunitions launchers, radars, active jammers, chaff, flares etc.
 
It is obvious to me that Romanian planners kept an eye on Western weapons and cooperated with China.

As far as know Romania did not wanted to make another joint project with Yugoslavia for mainly two reasons: Tito started later in his life an approach on Soviet Union, fearing that state will be dismantled after his death and also refused to share technological upgrades of IAR-93. Yugoslav Orao was much more developed, truly CAS fighter while Romanian one was only capable to launch iron bombs or submunitions (e.g. clusters) and ability to launch KH-23 for example was possible later than Yugoslav equivalent.
 
Here is a post about IAR-93 which I made on another forum, you may find it interesting:
 
IAR-93 VULTUR or J-22 ORAO (Yugoslav variant):



Yugoslav early loadout:


Romanian early loadout:



An extensive technical description is available here:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=118

Variants in service in RoAF:

IAR-93P1 (or A variant)
IAR-93P2 (or same A variant) – both pre-series variants.

IAR-93MB Vultur - 1982 (MB stands for “Basic Engine” which means this was the basic variants and first two were pre series);  2x 23 mm, 3 x 250 kg and 2 IR AA missiles load, 5 x 250 kg HE or 4 x LPR-57mm-32;

IAR-93B Vultur – 1985, entered service 1987; with afterburners; biggest number of built planes and used by RoAF was of this sort; increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded hard points and revised wing, including leading edge extensions. Also, the ventral fins, inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removed. This variant can be loaded with 5 x 500 kg iron bombs since its engines were more powerful.



The SEBAv submunition dispenser was developed for the IAR-93 and it was intended to be produced in 3 variants, SEBAv 1, 2 and 3 which were either clusters or anti-infantry submunitions. Also it was meant to incorporate Romanian made chaff, flares, IR traps, jammers who were incorporated in IAR-99 upgraded variant or MIG-21 upgrade Lancer A/B/C. Also, similar with Yugoslav ORAO it was meant to use guided missiles/bombs in later 80s/early 90s but eventually it was decided to be retired. Knowledge was used to upgrade IAR-99 with Israeli help.
Armament:
•    2 x 23 mm GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon in lower front fuselage, below engine air intakes, with 200 rds/gun; gun camera and GEC-Marconi D282 gyro gunsight
•    up to 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) on 5 pylons
•    BM 500 bomb
•    BEM 250 bomb
•    BE 100 bomb
•    LPR 122 rocket launcher
•    LPR 57 rocket launcher
•    PRN 80 rocket launcher
•    AA-2 Atoll / R-3S AAM (license-built in Romania as A-91) - only on some IAR-93B



Armament only on the J-22 ORAO
•    BL755 cluster bombs
•    AGM-65 Maverick TV guided AGM
•    AS-7 Kerry / Kh-23 Grom AGM
•    AA-8 'Aphid' AAM


It was used in Yugoslav wars:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soko_J-22_Orao




Few videos:

lHRSoCzAv2w

-PGOYC5KPCc

Jeg_MnUqfow


Various load-outs of Romanian version:

IAR-99 Soim

This is probably the most successful plane project, it is still in service today and went trough various upgrades and variants. A new plane based on this one, with a new engine, for advanced trained/light attack but this isn't important for actual scope of this post.



IAR 99 "Șoim" (Hawk) is an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft capable of performing close air support and reconnaissance missions.




Development of the aircraft began in 1975 and it entered series production in 1987. Until 1989 17 Soims were delivered to Romanian Air Force.

this is an early 90s plane, apparently without upgrades:



Basic IAR-99 went trough 2 upgrade programs:

First one was in partnership with Israel in 1992. IAR-109 Swift was equipped with HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) controls, wide angle head-up display and ring laser gyro inertial navigation system. This aircraft had integrated both Eastern and Western weapon systems. Its export variant was the IAR-109TF, which also had secondary light attack capability. However in 1994 this programme was interrupted.

Second one, which is now operational was an  upgrade programe and  first upgraded aircraft made its maiden flight in 1997. In 1998 the Romanian Government ordered upgrade of IAR-99s. These upgraded aircraft were designated as the IAR-99C. Here is a photo of a plane with Python AA missiles. Aircraft has Israeli avionics package compatible with 5th generation fighter systems:



Romanian Air Force operate a total of 12 upgraded IAR-99C Soim and there is an intention to add a new plane with a new engine, improved fuselage etc.



There is much available online information about this plane. First link is the page of the designing institute
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=125
Second link is the page of the producer:
http://www.acv.ro/products_en.php?m=1&s=1

Plane on display at the producer's premises with weapons:

 
 
So to summarize, these were the projects:
 
IAR-93 Vultur was a close air support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Combat capable two-seat version used also for advanced flying and weapon training. Started to fly in later 70s and was withdrew from service in later 90s. Before 1989 it was decided to be upgraded with equipment that was researched for IAR-95 (radar, avionics, missiles).

IAR 95 Spey/ME/S was a supersonic lightweight multirole fighter which was meant to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23; it was never completed because a suitable engine couldn’t be procured or produced under license.

IAR-99 was a trainer/light attack plane which was supposed to replace L-29 and L-39ZA. It is in service today with an upgraded variant able to launch guided missiles.
 
Although little is known about the planning of RSR (Romania Socialist Republic) military, I think the aim was to make it selfsufficient and standard because also a lot of other stuff was built like IR AA RAV-RS, A-921 air-ground missile (enhanced Kh-23), SEBAv submunitions launchers, radars, active jammers, chaff, flares etc.
 
It is obvious to me that Romanian planners kept an eye on Western weapons and cooperated with China.

IAR-95 ME

IAR-95 was supposed to be the first Romanian supersonic plane. In late '70s, the initial studies for the IAR-95 supersonic fighter were started and it was meant to be a lightweight aircraft, with a single-engine configuration although one variant with two engines was also researched. The design required an engine thrust of 54 kN dry and 91 kN with afterburner, respectively. The aircraft was a high wing monoplane with side air intakes. One of the proposed designs featured two fins.

Although the structural design of IAR-95 was in a quite advanced stage and was trialed in wind tunnels, the lack of availability of a suitable engine led to the cancellation of the initial IAR-95 project in 1981 although some sources claim that research continued until 1984. Six mock-ups were created and studied, the last variant design (no. 6) being eventually picked for development.



Last variant:


IAR-95 technical data, for the study which was dropped in the middle 80s:
Length overall: 14.75 m
Height overall: 4.95 m
Wing Span:  8.7 m
Wing area, gross: 26 m²
Wing sweep at quarter chord: 35 deg.
Empty weight: 6800 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10000 kg

And loadouts variants for early 80s version:





The supersonic fighter program was restarted in later '80s. First layout of the new design was named IAR-101 and had the general layout similar to the early IAR-95, but had a thicker fuselage, four hard points under the wings.

here is the presentation of the project on designing institute page:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=122

The next step was IAR-S, several models were built and tested in the wind tunnel. Those were either with a single engine or with single fin, two engines and two fins, single and two-seater. The single engine two-seater was presented as a multirole aircraft. The model of this last IAR-S layout is still kept today in the entry hall of INCAS. Other loadouts were taken into consideration (unfortunately I couldn't find a bigger pic):


The program was very ambitious and posed a real challenge for the Romanian aviation industry. In order to test the capabilities to produce such an aircraft, the decision was   taken to build first the IAR-95ME technology demonstrator but all was halted at the moment when a MIG-21 engine was supposed to be put in the mock-up for more tests. Ceausescu apparently did not wanted to grant the funds necessary for the development of this plane.



A lot of equipment was created in order to be used on CAS IAR-93, light attack IAR-99 and what was supposed to be multirole IAR-95 ME which was supposed to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23. This equipment included various ECMs, chaff, flares, RAV-RS IR missile, radar guided AA missiles, A921 (Romanian copy of KH-23 enhanced locally), submunition bombs (e.g. clusters, thermobaric) and even a anti-radiation missiles (one was in development and seeker was completed and it was intended to be trialed on Kh-23 until a larger and more powerful missile would have been developed).. Only IAR-99 finally received such enhancements since IAR-95 was never produced and IAR-93 third upgrade was dropped and plane was retired in early 90s.

Project presentation:


IAR-95 ME technical data after late 80’s research:

Length: 16.0 m
Wing span: 9.3 m
Height: 5.45 m
Wing area: 27.9 m²
Empty weight: 7,880 kg
Max T-O weight: 15,200 kg
Weapons max. load: 3,200 kg
Powerplant: One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet rated at 122kN with afterburners.



Furthermore, Chinese were also queried for J-7 engine but without success.

More pictures:
Interesting load-out; double launcher for missiles was actually produced:


IAR-95 S2 bombardier:






Allegedly the plans were given to Chinese after 1989 and JF-17 was created starting from this project. Of course, it may be just a conspiracy theory but I found some discussion on this website (but I don't understand even a single letter )
http://defense-arab.com/vb/threads/27922/

Few ideas from the Romanian article:
- Romania queried for the license for MIG-21 or Mirage F1, nothing was obtained thus the decision was to build planes locally; before 1945 Romanian produced own military planes.
- The engine was the main problem; first track was to obtain Spey from UK (which was on Phantoms) during the cooperation for BAC 1-11 and Viper Rolls-Royce engines (which were for IAR-99 and IAR-93).
- Soviets refused any discussion about MIG-21 or MIG-23 engine
- Considering the deal with UK, they offered some support and some technical help at some point.
- Meantime cooperation with Yugoslavia become closer and even if they had more access to Western technology it wasn't possible to obtain an engine suitable for a 2 Mach plane although General Electric J-85 was also a variant to be discussed (from F-5)
- Spey engine was supposed to be used on a two engine ASF project (one of the 6 variants); there are some pics in this album of the general concept:
http://imgur.com/a/KeV3d

One SEAD missile was researched in late 80s. Seeker was approved but was never trialed on a missile. Initially an A921 (KH-23M local development) was deemed to be used to test the seeker. In the image below is an IAR-95 launching A921 missile toward a target

IAR-95 ME

IAR-95 was supposed to be the first Romanian supersonic plane. In late '70s, the initial studies for the IAR-95 supersonic fighter were started and it was meant to be a lightweight aircraft, with a single-engine configuration although one variant with two engines was also researched. The design required an engine thrust of 54 kN dry and 91 kN with afterburner, respectively. The aircraft was a high wing monoplane with side air intakes. One of the proposed designs featured two fins.

Although the structural design of IAR-95 was in a quite advanced stage and was trialed in wind tunnels, the lack of availability of a suitable engine led to the cancellation of the initial IAR-95 project in 1981 although some sources claim that research continued until 1984. Six mock-ups were created and studied, the last variant design (no. 6) being eventually picked for development.



Last variant:


IAR-95 technical data, for the study which was dropped in the middle 80s:
Length overall: 14.75 m
Height overall: 4.95 m
Wing Span:  8.7 m
Wing area, gross: 26 m²
Wing sweep at quarter chord: 35 deg.
Empty weight: 6800 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10000 kg

And loadouts variants for early 80s version:





The supersonic fighter program was restarted in later '80s. First layout of the new design was named IAR-101 and had the general layout similar to the early IAR-95, but had a thicker fuselage, four hard points under the wings.

here is the presentation of the project on designing institute page:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=122

The next step was IAR-S, several models were built and tested in the wind tunnel. Those were either with a single engine or with single fin, two engines and two fins, single and two-seater. The single engine two-seater was presented as a multirole aircraft. The model of this last IAR-S layout is still kept today in the entry hall of INCAS. Other loadouts were taken into consideration (unfortunately I couldn't find a bigger pic):


The program was very ambitious and posed a real challenge for the Romanian aviation industry. In order to test the capabilities to produce such an aircraft, the decision was   taken to build first the IAR-95ME technology demonstrator but all was halted at the moment when a MIG-21 engine was supposed to be put in the mock-up for more tests. Ceausescu apparently did not wanted to grant the funds necessary for the development of this plane.



A lot of equipment was created in order to be used on CAS IAR-93, light attack IAR-99 and what was supposed to be multirole IAR-95 ME which was supposed to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23. This equipment included various ECMs, chaff, flares, RAV-RS IR missile, radar guided AA missiles, A921 (Romanian copy of KH-23 enhanced locally), submunition bombs (e.g. clusters, thermobaric) and even a anti-radiation missiles (one was in development and seeker was completed and it was intended to be trialed on Kh-23 until a larger and more powerful missile would have been developed).. Only IAR-99 finally received such enhancements since IAR-95 was never produced and IAR-93 third upgrade was dropped and plane was retired in early 90s.

Project presentation:


IAR-95 ME technical data after late 80’s research:

Length: 16.0 m
Wing span: 9.3 m
Height: 5.45 m
Wing area: 27.9 m²
Empty weight: 7,880 kg
Max T-O weight: 15,200 kg
Weapons max. load: 3,200 kg
Powerplant: One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet rated at 122kN with afterburners.



Furthermore, Chinese were also queried for J-7 engine but without success.

More pictures:
Interesting load-out; double launcher for missiles was actually produced:


IAR-95 S2 bombardier:






Allegedly the plans were given to Chinese after 1989 and JF-17 was created starting from this project. Of course, it may be just a conspiracy theory but I found some discussion on this website (but I don't understand even a single letter )
http://defense-arab.com/vb/threads/27922/

Few ideas from the Romanian article:
- Romania queried for the license for MIG-21 or Mirage F1, nothing was obtained thus the decision was to build planes locally; before 1945 Romanian produced own military planes.
- The engine was the main problem; first track was to obtain Spey from UK (which was on Phantoms) during the cooperation for BAC 1-11 and Viper Rolls-Royce engines (which were for IAR-99 and IAR-93).
- Soviets refused any discussion about MIG-21 or MIG-23 engine
- Considering the deal with UK, they offered some support and some technical help at some point.
- Meantime cooperation with Yugoslavia become closer and even if they had more access to Western technology it wasn't possible to obtain an engine suitable for a 2 Mach plane although General Electric J-85 was also a variant to be discussed (from F-5)
- Spey engine was supposed to be used on a two engine ASF project (one of the 6 variants); there are some pics in this album of the general concept:
http://imgur.com/a/KeV3d

One SEAD missile was researched in late 80s. Seeker was approved but was never trialed on a missile. Initially an A921 (KH-23M local development) was deemed to be used to test the seeker. In the image below is an IAR-95 launching A921 missile toward a target

IAR-95 ME

IAR-95 was supposed to be the first Romanian supersonic plane. In late '70s, the initial studies for the IAR-95 supersonic fighter were started and it was meant to be a lightweight aircraft, with a single-engine configuration although one variant with two engines was also researched. The design required an engine thrust of 54 kN dry and 91 kN with afterburner, respectively. The aircraft was a high wing monoplane with side air intakes. One of the proposed designs featured two fins.

Although the structural design of IAR-95 was in a quite advanced stage and was trialed in wind tunnels, the lack of availability of a suitable engine led to the cancellation of the initial IAR-95 project in 1981 although some sources claim that research continued until 1984. Six mock-ups were created and studied, the last variant design (no. 6) being eventually picked for development.



Last variant:


IAR-95 technical data, for the study which was dropped in the middle 80s:
Length overall: 14.75 m
Height overall: 4.95 m
Wing Span:  8.7 m
Wing area, gross: 26 m²
Wing sweep at quarter chord: 35 deg.
Empty weight: 6800 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10000 kg

And loadouts variants for early 80s version:





The supersonic fighter program was restarted in later '80s. First layout of the new design was named IAR-101 and had the general layout similar to the early IAR-95, but had a thicker fuselage, four hard points under the wings.

here is the presentation of the project on designing institute page:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=122

The next step was IAR-S, several models were built and tested in the wind tunnel. Those were either with a single engine or with single fin, two engines and two fins, single and two-seater. The single engine two-seater was presented as a multirole aircraft. The model of this last IAR-S layout is still kept today in the entry hall of INCAS. Other loadouts were taken into consideration (unfortunately I couldn't find a bigger pic):


The program was very ambitious and posed a real challenge for the Romanian aviation industry. In order to test the capabilities to produce such an aircraft, the decision was   taken to build first the IAR-95ME technology demonstrator but all was halted at the moment when a MIG-21 engine was supposed to be put in the mock-up for more tests. Ceausescu apparently did not wanted to grant the funds necessary for the development of this plane.



A lot of equipment was created in order to be used on CAS IAR-93, light attack IAR-99 and what was supposed to be multirole IAR-95 ME which was supposed to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23. This equipment included various ECMs, chaff, flares, RAV-RS IR missile, radar guided AA missiles, A921 (Romanian copy of KH-23 enhanced locally), submunition bombs (e.g. clusters, thermobaric) and even a anti-radiation missiles (one was in development and seeker was completed and it was intended to be trialed on Kh-23 until a larger and more powerful missile would have been developed).. Only IAR-99 finally received such enhancements since IAR-95 was never produced and IAR-93 third upgrade was dropped and plane was retired in early 90s.

Project presentation:


IAR-95 ME technical data after late 80’s research:

Length: 16.0 m
Wing span: 9.3 m
Height: 5.45 m
Wing area: 27.9 m²
Empty weight: 7,880 kg
Max T-O weight: 15,200 kg
Weapons max. load: 3,200 kg
Powerplant: One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet rated at 122kN with afterburners.



Furthermore, Chinese were also queried for J-7 engine but without success.

More pictures:
Interesting load-out; double launcher for missiles was actually produced:


IAR-95 S2 bombardier:






Allegedly the plans were given to Chinese after 1989 and JF-17 was created starting from this project. Of course, it may be just a conspiracy theory but I found some discussion on this website (but I don't understand even a single letter )
http://defense-arab.com/vb/threads/27922/

Few ideas from the Romanian article:
- Romania queried for the license for MIG-21 or Mirage F1, nothing was obtained thus the decision was to build planes locally; before 1945 Romanian produced own military planes.
- The engine was the main problem; first track was to obtain Spey from UK (which was on Phantoms) during the cooperation for BAC 1-11 and Viper Rolls-Royce engines (which were for IAR-99 and IAR-93).
- Soviets refused any discussion about MIG-21 or MIG-23 engine
- Considering the deal with UK, they offered some support and some technical help at some point.
- Meantime cooperation with Yugoslavia become closer and even if they had more access to Western technology it wasn't possible to obtain an engine suitable for a 2 Mach plane although General Electric J-85 was also a variant to be discussed (from F-5)
- Spey engine was supposed to be used on a two engine ASF project (one of the 6 variants); there are some pics in this album of the general concept:
http://imgur.com/a/KeV3d

One SEAD missile was researched in late 80s. Seeker was approved but was never trialed on a missile. Initially an A921 (KH-23M local development) was deemed to be used to test the seeker. In the image below is an IAR-95 launching A921 missile toward a target

IAR-95 ME

IAR-95 was supposed to be the first Romanian supersonic plane. In late '70s, the initial studies for the IAR-95 supersonic fighter were started and it was meant to be a lightweight aircraft, with a single-engine configuration although one variant with two engines was also researched. The design required an engine thrust of 54 kN dry and 91 kN with afterburner, respectively. The aircraft was a high wing monoplane with side air intakes. One of the proposed designs featured two fins.

Although the structural design of IAR-95 was in a quite advanced stage and was trialed in wind tunnels, the lack of availability of a suitable engine led to the cancellation of the initial IAR-95 project in 1981 although some sources claim that research continued until 1984. Six mock-ups were created and studied, the last variant design (no. 6) being eventually picked for development.



Last variant:


IAR-95 technical data, for the study which was dropped in the middle 80s:
Length overall: 14.75 m
Height overall: 4.95 m
Wing Span:  8.7 m
Wing area, gross: 26 m²
Wing sweep at quarter chord: 35 deg.
Empty weight: 6800 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10000 kg

And loadouts variants for early 80s version:





The supersonic fighter program was restarted in later '80s. First layout of the new design was named IAR-101 and had the general layout similar to the early IAR-95, but had a thicker fuselage, four hard points under the wings.

here is the presentation of the project on designing institute page:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=122

The next step was IAR-S, several models were built and tested in the wind tunnel. Those were either with a single engine or with single fin, two engines and two fins, single and two-seater. The single engine two-seater was presented as a multirole aircraft. The model of this last IAR-S layout is still kept today in the entry hall of INCAS. Other loadouts were taken into consideration (unfortunately I couldn't find a bigger pic):


The program was very ambitious and posed a real challenge for the Romanian aviation industry. In order to test the capabilities to produce such an aircraft, the decision was   taken to build first the IAR-95ME technology demonstrator but all was halted at the moment when a MIG-21 engine was supposed to be put in the mock-up for more tests. Ceausescu apparently did not wanted to grant the funds necessary for the development of this plane.



A lot of equipment was created in order to be used on CAS IAR-93, light attack IAR-99 and what was supposed to be multirole IAR-95 ME which was supposed to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23. This equipment included various ECMs, chaff, flares, RAV-RS IR missile, radar guided AA missiles, A921 (Romanian copy of KH-23 enhanced locally), submunition bombs (e.g. clusters, thermobaric) and even a anti-radiation missiles (one was in development and seeker was completed and it was intended to be trialed on Kh-23 until a larger and more powerful missile would have been developed).. Only IAR-99 finally received such enhancements since IAR-95 was never produced and IAR-93 third upgrade was dropped and plane was retired in early 90s.

Project presentation:


IAR-95 ME technical data after late 80’s research:

Length: 16.0 m
Wing span: 9.3 m
Height: 5.45 m
Wing area: 27.9 m²
Empty weight: 7,880 kg
Max T-O weight: 15,200 kg
Weapons max. load: 3,200 kg
Powerplant: One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet rated at 122kN with afterburners.



Furthermore, Chinese were also queried for J-7 engine but without success.

More pictures:
Interesting load-out; double launcher for missiles was actually produced:


IAR-95 S2 bombardier:






Allegedly the plans were given to Chinese after 1989 and JF-17 was created starting from this project. Of course, it may be just a conspiracy theory but I found some discussion on this website (but I don't understand even a single letter )
http://defense-arab.com/vb/threads/27922/

Few ideas from the Romanian article:
- Romania queried for the license for MIG-21 or Mirage F1, nothing was obtained thus the decision was to build planes locally; before 1945 Romanian produced own military planes.
- The engine was the main problem; first track was to obtain Spey from UK (which was on Phantoms) during the cooperation for BAC 1-11 and Viper Rolls-Royce engines (which were for IAR-99 and IAR-93).
- Soviets refused any discussion about MIG-21 or MIG-23 engine
- Considering the deal with UK, they offered some support and some technical help at some point.
- Meantime cooperation with Yugoslavia become closer and even if they had more access to Western technology it wasn't possible to obtain an engine suitable for a 2 Mach plane although General Electric J-85 was also a variant to be discussed (from F-5)
- Spey engine was supposed to be used on a two engine ASF project (one of the 6 variants); there are some pics in this album of the general concept:
http://imgur.com/a/KeV3d

One SEAD missile was researched in late 80s. Seeker was approved but was never trialed on a missile. Initially an A921 (KH-23M local development) was deemed to be used to test the seeker. In the image below is an IAR-95 launching A921 missile toward a target

I was there, it's the traditional parade from National Day but next time I'll stay home to watch it to TV, couldn't see much because of the crowd. Glad to see them on Chinese News. Few explanations of pictures:
1. soldier in a Piranha APC
2. re-enactement of WW I Romanian military
3. Gepard SPAAGs
4. 30th Guards Regiment "Michael The Brave"
5. Acrobatic team
6. Upgraded MIG-21 LancerR (will be retired in reserve from next year)
7. Police women detachment
8. Mountain Rangers
9. from left to right, Commander of the parade, Commander of General HQ, President of Romania
 
These are pics from official Ministry of Defense page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.634687613337159.1073742873.141113432694582&type=3
 
Now it's a huge debate here that Romania is one of the last two EU countries (along with France) which still does military parades in National Day and if it's not the case to renounce at them because may be considered aggressive
 
 
Well, here we are very displeased by the status of Armed Forces. It's a long story. There are some very good units (mountain brigades, special forces, 282th Mechanized, 81st Mechanized, Reconnaisance battalions) but not as much as we'd like and new equipment and weapons issue was neglected in last 10 years. However, from 2017 the budget will be raised at 2% (NATO standard) and national industry will re-start to supply armed forces.
 
Few ongoing programs:
 
- 3 F-16 squadrons
- new APC
- new MBT (a necessary of 300)
- multi-layered Air Defense national system
- new SPG, new SP Mortars, enganced and upgraded rocket arty, new SPAAGs, upgraded VSHORAD systems-
- new utility helo (new Pumas and possible Cougars) built locally by Airbus Helicopters Romania
 

I was there, it's the traditional parade from National Day but next time I'll stay home to watch it to TV, couldn't see much because of the crowd. Glad to see them on Chinese News. Few explanations of pictures:
1. soldier in a Piranha APC
2. re-enactement of WW I Romanian military
3. Gepard SPAAGs
4. 30th Guards Regiment "Michael The Brave"
5. Acrobatic team
6. Upgraded MIG-21 LancerR (will be retired in reserve from next year)
7. Police women detachment
8. Mountain Rangers
9. from left to right, Commander of the parade, Commander of General HQ, President of Romania
 
These are pics from official Ministry of Defense page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.634687613337159.1073742873.141113432694582&type=3
 
Now it's a huge debate here that Romania is one of the last two EU countries (along with France) which still does military parades in National Day and if it's not the case to renounce at them because may be considered aggressive
 
 
Well, here we are very displeased by the status of Armed Forces. It's a long story. There are some very good units (mountain brigades, special forces, 282th Mechanized, 81st Mechanized, Reconnaisance battalions) but not as much as we'd like and new equipment and weapons issue was neglected in last 10 years. However, from 2017 the budget will be raised at 2% (NATO standard) and national industry will re-start to supply armed forces.
 
Few ongoing programs:
 
- 3 F-16 squadrons
- new APC
- new MBT (a necessary of 300)
- multi-layered Air Defense national system
- new SPG, new SP Mortars, enganced and upgraded rocket arty, new SPAAGs, upgraded VSHORAD systems-
- new utility helo (new Pumas and possible Cougars) built locally by Airbus Helicopters Romania
 

Well, since my initial search I dig in about info of Romanian designed weapons. Recently  a P 125 tank (or TR-125) was refurbished and exposed at the Military Museum. The factory which produced it declared they can start producing it immediately although they also deemed necessary many modifications (engine in the front, better transmission) to upgrade it to present day requirements. First post is about this prototype of TR-125 MBT which was developed between 1984 - 1991 from which 10 were produced and tested and finally development dropped due to lack of funds.




Recently a P-125/TR-125 MBT was refurbished and exposed at Military Museum near a T-72 Ural; it was even allowed to public to study the cockpit and the interior of the tank so I'll post some new pics, some old ones and few various opinions about this tank that I gathered from various hobby Romanian sites.

Here are few links about this tank but some of them contain inaccuracies.
http://tanknutdave.com/romanian-tanks/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-125
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tr-125.htm



P-125/TR-125 was a new tank who was supposed to be produced in Romania for armored units. Compared with previous products (TR-85, TR-77) this was supposed to be a true MBT with better armor than Soviet T-72 and solutions inspired from Chinese and Western type of tanks. Although some design solutions are inspired from T-72, the concept is different and is a very different tank. 10 tanks were produced and used for various tests; after project was dropped for lack of funds all went to storage:



As design, same principles were applied as for TR-85 compared with T-55 so TR-125 has better protected turret and chassis than T-72 and is not a simple copy of this tank. Also access to Chinese technology so better stabilizers and FCS. Better frontal and turret armor which lead to bigger weight than Soviet T-72.



It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on cannon 2E 25, ballistic computer, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching smoke rockets and heat traps, etc.

TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted stratified armor and additional armor for turret, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 50 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arch.

this looks to be a snorkeling test in inced water:



TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it, which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. For prototype it was 18,52 HP/t but it was in research a more powerful engine of 1000/1100 hp. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes and coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun.



Little was known about this tank until few weeks ago when the producer decided to refurbish it along with one T-72M (Ural) in order to be exposed in a museum; for the first time the interior was revealed to public; Here is an album with photos as I wasn’t able to post them on the forum is better to keep the original size for people who wants to study it closer:

http://imgur.com/a/JOSTz

To me it looks it was designed to be quite different from Soviet approach and more resembling with Western tanks; solutions like ammo storage in the back of the turret were explored on previous models such a TR-85 first upgraded variant. Without being a specialists there are some things I could observe:

-    Frontal armor angle is different same the angles in the turret and is more resembling with Chinese tanks which may result in a better RHAe against HEAT (allegedly it had 800-900 RHAe in frontal arch)
-       it is wider, longer and slightly taller
-       Transmission was automatic
-    Gun stabilized hydraulically, FCS and laser range finder
-       Laser beam detectors working together with smoke grenades
-    Autoloader inspired from T-72, allegedly 8 rounds/minute
-    3 soldiers crew
-       some solutions from the engine looks inspired from Leopard (e.g. air filter)
-    Turret was designed to support additional armor; fire control devices were put in such way to avoid leaving unprotected areas in the frontal area. I think the main idea behind the solutions adopted by Romanian engineers was to have a much better protected tank than T-72 more suited for defense and tank battles rather than tanks suited for offensive warfare.

I am not expert but to me it looks like a unique design in Eastern Block as all other tanks produced were copies and improvements of Soviet designs. I am looking forward to hear opinion of people who are expert in this area.

Later edits (photos and info):

http://imgur.com/a/Rn9Y7

Article from GlobalSecurity.org:
 
 
Info from various Romanian websites which is based on the photos from albums posted here:

- 2 night visions system from which one was based in amplified light near box of 12,7 mm MG; some of products listed here: http://www.electro-optic.ro/produse.html
- ballistic computer
- gun able to fire Soviet ammo
- new FCS better than Ciclop M (modernized) from TR-85
- laser illumination warning system

Well, since my initial search I dig in about info of Romanian designed weapons. Recently  a P 125 tank (or TR-125) was refurbished and exposed at the Military Museum. The factory which produced it declared they can start producing it immediately although they also deemed necessary many modifications (engine in the front, better transmission) to upgrade it to present day requirements. First post is about this prototype of TR-125 MBT which was developed between 1984 - 1991 from which 10 were produced and tested and finally development dropped due to lack of funds.




Recently a P-125/TR-125 MBT was refurbished and exposed at Military Museum near a T-72 Ural; it was even allowed to public to study the cockpit and the interior of the tank so I'll post some new pics, some old ones and few various opinions about this tank that I gathered from various hobby Romanian sites.

Here are few links about this tank but some of them contain inaccuracies.
http://tanknutdave.com/romanian-tanks/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-125
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tr-125.htm



P-125/TR-125 was a new tank who was supposed to be produced in Romania for armored units. Compared with previous products (TR-85, TR-77) this was supposed to be a true MBT with better armor than Soviet T-72 and solutions inspired from Chinese and Western type of tanks. Although some design solutions are inspired from T-72, the concept is different and is a very different tank. 10 tanks were produced and used for various tests; after project was dropped for lack of funds all went to storage:



As design, same principles were applied as for TR-85 compared with T-55 so TR-125 has better protected turret and chassis than T-72 and is not a simple copy of this tank. Also access to Chinese technology so better stabilizers and FCS. Better frontal and turret armor which lead to bigger weight than Soviet T-72.



It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on cannon 2E 25, ballistic computer, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching smoke rockets and heat traps, etc.

TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted stratified armor and additional armor for turret, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 50 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arch.

this looks to be a snorkeling test in inced water:



TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it, which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. For prototype it was 18,52 HP/t but it was in research a more powerful engine of 1000/1100 hp. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes and coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun.



Little was known about this tank until few weeks ago when the producer decided to refurbish it along with one T-72M (Ural) in order to be exposed in a museum; for the first time the interior was revealed to public; Here is an album with photos as I wasn’t able to post them on the forum is better to keep the original size for people who wants to study it closer:

http://imgur.com/a/JOSTz

To me it looks it was designed to be quite different from Soviet approach and more resembling with Western tanks; solutions like ammo storage in the back of the turret were explored on previous models such a TR-85 first upgraded variant. Without being a specialists there are some things I could observe:

-    Frontal armor angle is different same the angles in the turret and is more resembling with Chinese tanks which may result in a better RHAe against HEAT (allegedly it had 800-900 RHAe in frontal arch)
-       it is wider, longer and slightly taller
-       Transmission was automatic
-    Gun stabilized hydraulically, FCS and laser range finder
-       Laser beam detectors working together with smoke grenades
-    Autoloader inspired from T-72, allegedly 8 rounds/minute
-    3 soldiers crew
-       some solutions from the engine looks inspired from Leopard (e.g. air filter)
-    Turret was designed to support additional armor; fire control devices were put in such way to avoid leaving unprotected areas in the frontal area. I think the main idea behind the solutions adopted by Romanian engineers was to have a much better protected tank than T-72 more suited for defense and tank battles rather than tanks suited for offensive warfare.

I am not expert but to me it looks like a unique design in Eastern Block as all other tanks produced were copies and improvements of Soviet designs. I am looking forward to hear opinion of people who are expert in this area.

Later edits (photos and info):

http://imgur.com/a/Rn9Y7

Article from GlobalSecurity.org:
 
 
Info from various Romanian websites which is based on the photos from albums posted here:

- 2 night visions system from which one was based in amplified light near box of 12,7 mm MG; some of products listed here: http://www.electro-optic.ro/produse.html
- ballistic computer
- gun able to fire Soviet ammo
- new FCS better than Ciclop M (modernized) from TR-85
- laser illumination warning system

Well, since my initial search I dig in about info of Romanian designed weapons. Recently  a P 125 tank (or TR-125) was refurbished and exposed at the Military Museum. The factory which produced it declared they can start producing it immediately although they also deemed necessary many modifications (engine in the front, better transmission) to upgrade it to present day requirements. First post is about this prototype of TR-125 MBT which was developed between 1984 - 1991 from which 10 were produced and tested and finally development dropped due to lack of funds.




Recently a P-125/TR-125 MBT was refurbished and exposed at Military Museum near a T-72 Ural; it was even allowed to public to study the cockpit and the interior of the tank so I'll post some new pics, some old ones and few various opinions about this tank that I gathered from various hobby Romanian sites.

Here are few links about this tank but some of them contain inaccuracies.
http://tanknutdave.com/romanian-tanks/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-125
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tr-125.htm



P-125/TR-125 was a new tank who was supposed to be produced in Romania for armored units. Compared with previous products (TR-85, TR-77) this was supposed to be a true MBT with better armor than Soviet T-72 and solutions inspired from Chinese and Western type of tanks. Although some design solutions are inspired from T-72, the concept is different and is a very different tank. 10 tanks were produced and used for various tests; after project was dropped for lack of funds all went to storage:



As design, same principles were applied as for TR-85 compared with T-55 so TR-125 has better protected turret and chassis than T-72 and is not a simple copy of this tank. Also access to Chinese technology so better stabilizers and FCS. Better frontal and turret armor which lead to bigger weight than Soviet T-72.



It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on cannon 2E 25, ballistic computer, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching smoke rockets and heat traps, etc.

TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted stratified armor and additional armor for turret, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 50 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arch.

this looks to be a snorkeling test in inced water:



TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it, which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. For prototype it was 18,52 HP/t but it was in research a more powerful engine of 1000/1100 hp. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes and coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun.



Little was known about this tank until few weeks ago when the producer decided to refurbish it along with one T-72M (Ural) in order to be exposed in a museum; for the first time the interior was revealed to public; Here is an album with photos as I wasn’t able to post them on the forum is better to keep the original size for people who wants to study it closer:

http://imgur.com/a/JOSTz

To me it looks it was designed to be quite different from Soviet approach and more resembling with Western tanks; solutions like ammo storage in the back of the turret were explored on previous models such a TR-85 first upgraded variant. Without being a specialists there are some things I could observe:

-    Frontal armor angle is different same the angles in the turret and is more resembling with Chinese tanks which may result in a better RHAe against HEAT (allegedly it had 800-900 RHAe in frontal arch)
-       it is wider, longer and slightly taller
-       Transmission was automatic
-    Gun stabilized hydraulically, FCS and laser range finder
-       Laser beam detectors working together with smoke grenades
-    Autoloader inspired from T-72, allegedly 8 rounds/minute
-    3 soldiers crew
-       some solutions from the engine looks inspired from Leopard (e.g. air filter)
-    Turret was designed to support additional armor; fire control devices were put in such way to avoid leaving unprotected areas in the frontal area. I think the main idea behind the solutions adopted by Romanian engineers was to have a much better protected tank than T-72 more suited for defense and tank battles rather than tanks suited for offensive warfare.

I am not expert but to me it looks like a unique design in Eastern Block as all other tanks produced were copies and improvements of Soviet designs. I am looking forward to hear opinion of people who are expert in this area.

Later edits (photos and info):

http://imgur.com/a/Rn9Y7

Article from GlobalSecurity.org:
 
 
Info from various Romanian websites which is based on the photos from albums posted here:

- 2 night visions system from which one was based in amplified light near box of 12,7 mm MG; some of products listed here: http://www.electro-optic.ro/produse.html
- ballistic computer
- gun able to fire Soviet ammo
- new FCS better than Ciclop M (modernized) from TR-85
- laser illumination warning system

Well, since my initial search I dig in about info of Romanian designed weapons. Recently  a P 125 tank (or TR-125) was refurbished and exposed at the Military Museum. The factory which produced it declared they can start producing it immediately although they also deemed necessary many modifications (engine in the front, better transmission) to upgrade it to present day requirements. First post is about this prototype of TR-125 MBT which was developed between 1984 - 1991 from which 10 were produced and tested and finally development dropped due to lack of funds.




Recently a P-125/TR-125 MBT was refurbished and exposed at Military Museum near a T-72 Ural; it was even allowed to public to study the cockpit and the interior of the tank so I'll post some new pics, some old ones and few various opinions about this tank that I gathered from various hobby Romanian sites.

Here are few links about this tank but some of them contain inaccuracies.
http://tanknutdave.com/romanian-tanks/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-125
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tr-125.htm



P-125/TR-125 was a new tank who was supposed to be produced in Romania for armored units. Compared with previous products (TR-85, TR-77) this was supposed to be a true MBT with better armor than Soviet T-72 and solutions inspired from Chinese and Western type of tanks. Although some design solutions are inspired from T-72, the concept is different and is a very different tank. 10 tanks were produced and used for various tests; after project was dropped for lack of funds all went to storage:



As design, same principles were applied as for TR-85 compared with T-55 so TR-125 has better protected turret and chassis than T-72 and is not a simple copy of this tank. Also access to Chinese technology so better stabilizers and FCS. Better frontal and turret armor which lead to bigger weight than Soviet T-72.



It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on cannon 2E 25, ballistic computer, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching smoke rockets and heat traps, etc.

TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted stratified armor and additional armor for turret, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 50 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arch.

this looks to be a snorkeling test in inced water:



TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it, which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. For prototype it was 18,52 HP/t but it was in research a more powerful engine of 1000/1100 hp. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes and coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun.



Little was known about this tank until few weeks ago when the producer decided to refurbish it along with one T-72M (Ural) in order to be exposed in a museum; for the first time the interior was revealed to public; Here is an album with photos as I wasn’t able to post them on the forum is better to keep the original size for people who wants to study it closer:

http://imgur.com/a/JOSTz

To me it looks it was designed to be quite different from Soviet approach and more resembling with Western tanks; solutions like ammo storage in the back of the turret were explored on previous models such a TR-85 first upgraded variant. Without being a specialists there are some things I could observe:

-    Frontal armor angle is different same the angles in the turret and is more resembling with Chinese tanks which may result in a better RHAe against HEAT (allegedly it had 800-900 RHAe in frontal arch)
-       it is wider, longer and slightly taller
-       Transmission was automatic
-    Gun stabilized hydraulically, FCS and laser range finder
-       Laser beam detectors working together with smoke grenades
-    Autoloader inspired from T-72, allegedly 8 rounds/minute
-    3 soldiers crew
-       some solutions from the engine looks inspired from Leopard (e.g. air filter)
-    Turret was designed to support additional armor; fire control devices were put in such way to avoid leaving unprotected areas in the frontal area. I think the main idea behind the solutions adopted by Romanian engineers was to have a much better protected tank than T-72 more suited for defense and tank battles rather than tanks suited for offensive warfare.

I am not expert but to me it looks like a unique design in Eastern Block as all other tanks produced were copies and improvements of Soviet designs. I am looking forward to hear opinion of people who are expert in this area.

Later edits (photos and info):

http://imgur.com/a/Rn9Y7

Article from GlobalSecurity.org:
 
 
Info from various Romanian websites which is based on the photos from albums posted here:

- 2 night visions system from which one was based in amplified light near box of 12,7 mm MG; some of products listed here: http://www.electro-optic.ro/produse.html
- ballistic computer
- gun able to fire Soviet ammo
- new FCS better than Ciclop M (modernized) from TR-85
- laser illumination warning system