Andrzej Jeziorski/MUNICH
Polish aircraft manufacturer PZL-Mielec is hoping to fly an upgraded prototype of its I-22 Iryda jet trainer by the end of the year, says the aircraft's chief designer Marek Potapowicz.
The first upgraded prototype will incorporate aerodynamic modifications, but will not have the full Sextant Avionique avionics suite, which will eventually be fitted to all Irydas. The first fully upgraded Iryda - to be designated the M-96 - is to be flown in the first quarter of 1997.
The aerodynamic changes are designed to improve field performance and high angle-of-attack characteristics. The aircraft are being fitted with new wing-leading-edge root extensions, slats and Fowler flaps.
Potapowicz says that the modifications should allow the aircraft to fly at angles of attack "substantially over 20í" and should improve take-off and landing performance by "a few tens of percentage points". The company hopes to reduce the aircraft's high approach speed of 100kt (185km/h). Current versions require a 1,500m (4,900ft) landing run at maximum take-off weight. Potapowicz hopes to bring this down to about 1,000m.
The upgrade also involves refitting the remaining four early-build, PZL-5-powered I-22 Irydas with the more powerful PZL-Rzeszow K-15 engine, installed in the current-standard M-93 version of the aircraft.
Four M-93s had been delivered to the air force, and three were awaiting delivery when all Irydas were grounded in January this year following the loss of an I-22 in an accident attributed by the Polish air force to a technical fault. The programme was revived in April with the upgrade contract and an order for six new aircraft.
Mielec is now hoping for a follow-on order in the coming year, and a possible order for about 20 aircraft in an as-yet undefined maritime reconnaissance/strike version to replace the Polish navy's aging MiG-21bis fighters.
The Iryda has proved to be unpopular among air force officials, but is politically sensitive, as it is the most important programme at PZL-Mielec.
Source: Flight International
