Vixen 500E selected for IAR-99 TD
The IAR-99 trainer technology demonstrator (TD) being built by Romania's National Institute for Aerospace Research (INCAS), will be fitted with Leonardo’s Vixen 500E AESA radar, the company announced on 29 August.
The IAR-99 TD will be a modernised variant of the Romanian Air Force IAR-99 Soim advanced trainer and light attack aircraft. The modification work is being carried out by INCAS together with aircraft manufacturer Avioane Craiova.
The Vixen 500E AESA radar system uses a matrix of miniature radar modules to steer the beam electronically instead of manually pointing the radar’s antenna at its target. This technology enables Vixen to deliver high performance with reliability.
The prototype aircraft with the radar on-board is expected to be ready for testing by the end of 2017.
Norman Bone, MD of Leonardo’s Airborne and Space Systems division, said: ‘This partnership with INCAS is representative of Leonardo’s open and collaborative approach to meeting the demands of the market. By working together, we are able to better understand and provide the best solution for the needs of the Romanian Ministry of Defence.’
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