IAR 316 Airfox

[udar]

I saw a while ago a picture of this original AT helicopter,developed from IAR 316 Allouette helicopter,and i am courious way was not developed at that time,and way is not developed now(or other AT variant).I think was in italian Mangusta class AT helicopters,and a good choise from that times.

[carlos23air2004]

Actually si the 317 airfox,program canceled in 1989.Think only 1 or 2 prototypes exist.Its a copy of teh 316 alouette with a modified cockpit(tandem cockpit).has no advanced electronics,low anouvrability.can carry a small payload(4 at-3 saggers or 57 mm rockets in a 4 tube luancher so 16 57 mm rockets).Has no flir,no gps,no,no nae capabilities.And its avionics suystme is from the late 70s early 90s.

[udar]

I think the prototypes was not equiped with bord electronics,was just tested for fly.Future equipment will be more sophisticated, probably weapons as well. But i ask why the program was cancelled,because was an interesting development for that time,and even a good start and experiance for today realizations(since AH-1 RO Dracula was cancelled).

[tomcat1974]

The program was started during 80's ..it started mostly on the same reason that they started IAR-93... need of a independent attack plane/helicopter

The Maliutka was the prime antitank missile in the Romanian Army and being locally produced.
The 317 inherited all the caracteristics of the Alouett3 helicopter including good maneuvrability( the Alloute3 held many recorde of climbing etc in its class)
The program was terminated in 89 like many other programs.. By 1990's the Allouter was begining to phase out. There still a number of helicopters in Romanian Army , but the majority is the IAR-330. The obvious choice was to upgrade to most used helicopter in romanian army , hence IAR-330 SOCAT. Same ideea was for the Mig 21 LANCER.

[Zapacitu]

Here's some pertinent information and pictures about the IAR-317 Airfox:

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/inde...pic,2375.0.html