IAR 316

Aircraft Picture - IAR 316 at Otopeni Air Show 2010

Role: training helicopter
Introduction: 1971
Status: operational for training purposes
Primary users: Romanian Air Force Various
Produced: 1971-1987
Number built: 250

The IAR 316 is a Romanian license-built Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III manufactured by Industria Aeronautica Romana, or IAR. IAR began manufacturing the IAR 316 in 1971 at its plant near BraÅŸov, Romania. Production ended in 1987. 250 units were built, 125 of those were built for the Military of Romania, which still uses it to this day in a training capacity. Some IAR 316s were even exported to various nations, including Pakistan, Angola, and Guinea. The IAR 316 was modified to carry weapons more common in the Eastern-bloc, such as 57mm rocket pods, 7.62mm machine guns, and anti-tank missiles.

IAR 317

This was an attempt by IAR to make an attack helicopter out of the IAR 316. Equipped with the same license-produced Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft, the IAR 317 featured a stepped two-seat armored cockpit for the pilot and the gunner. The tail boom and rear fuselage was almost identical to the 316. Stub wings mounted on either side of the airframe allowed for the carriage of weapons, including rocket pods, machine guns, and anti-tank missiles. It was named the "Airfox". Only one prototype was built. It participated in the 1985 Paris Air Show.

Operators

Angola Guinea Pakistan Romania

Romanian Air Force

Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: Two
Capacity: 5 passengers
Length: 12.82 m (42 ft 0 in)
Rotor diameter: 11.02 m (36 ft 2 in)
Height: 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 1,050 kg (2,315 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
Powerplant: 1 x— Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft driving a three-blade main, and three-blade tail rotor, 425 kW (570 shp)
*Fuselage width: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Max fuel weight: 550 kg (1,210 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 210 km/h (113 knots, 130 mph)
Cruise speed: 180 km/h (95 knots, 110 mph)
Range: 540 km (291 nm, 335 mi)
Service ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 260 m/min (850 ft/min)

Armament

1 x— 7.62mm machine gun pod with 1,000 rounds
2 hardpoints for anti-tank guided missiles

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/iar-317.php
https://sites.google.com/site/stingrayslistofrotorcraft/iar-317-airfox

Related development

Aérospatiale Alouette II
Aérospatiale Alouette III

Comparable aircraft

Aérospatiale Gazelle
Hughes H-6

IAR 316 Pictures

More airplane video.

Source: WikiPedia