IAR 330

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The IAR 330 is the Romanian-built version of Aérospatiale's SA 330 Puma. More than 163 helicopters have been built, out of which 104 were destined for Romania's military and 57 helicopters have been produced for export (Pakistan, Ivory Coast, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Ecuador). Also a SAR (search and rescue) version, fitted with inflatable floaters for emergency landing on the sea, had been built in a small batch. Production is still ongoing at IAR Ghimbav plant near Braşov. 24 helicopters have been recently upgraded to IAR 330 Socat in cooperation with Elbit Systems (Israel).^[1]

In March 2007, the first IAR 330 Puma Naval (naval helicopter version) entered service in the Romanian Naval Forces on the Regele Ferdinand frigate. The Romanian Navy ordered 3 IAR 330 Naval helicopters, the last one should be comissioned early 2008.

Contents 1 Specifications 1.1 General characteristics 1.2 Performance 1.3 Armament 2 See also 3 References

[edit] Specifications

[edit] General characteristics

• Length: 15.0 m (49 ft 2 in)
• Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
• Width: 3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)
• Rotor diameter: 16.2 m (53 ft 1 in)
• Empty weight: 3,615 kg (7,970 lb)
• Max TO weight: 7,400 kg (16,300 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 Romanian built TURMO IV B turboshafts (2x1400hp)

[edit] Performance

• Maximum speed: 263 km/h (164 miles)
• Range: 550 km (342 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4800 m (15,750 ft)

[edit] Armament

Puma

• 2 x 7.62mm machine gun pods (on the sides of the nose)
• LPR 57 (UB-16-57) unguided rocket launcher (4 hardpoints)
• Malyutka wire guided ATGM (4 rails above the hardpoints)
• 2 x 7.62mm caliber door mounted PK machine guns

Puma SOCAT

• GIAT Industries THL20 20mm chain gun (nose mounted)
• LPR 57 (UB-16-57) unguided rocket launcher (inner 2 hardpoints)
• 8 Rafael Spike-ER anti-tank guided missiles (outer 2 hardpoints)
• GIAT Industries NC 621 20mm gun pod with 180 rounds(outer 2 hardpoints)

[edit] See also

• IAR 316
• Romanian Air Force
• Aérospatiale Puma

[edit] References

Comparable aircraft: Aérospatiale Puma- Eurocopter Cougar- Eurocopter Super Puma- IAR 330L Socat

Designation sequence: IAR 316 - IAR 317 - IAR 330 - IAR 330L Socat