Aerostar
Encyclopedia
Aerostar S.A., is an aeronautical manufacturing company based in Bacău
, Romania
.
Aerostar has provided repair and maintenance services for all the aircraft types used by the Romanian military. The company also developed the IAR-93
twin-engine, tactical ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft, the first fighter aircraft built in Romania after World War II
. Upgrade programs for the MiG-21 (MiG-21 LanceR) and MiG-29 were developed by Aerostar in co-operation with Elbit Systems
.
The company has produced more than 1800 Yak-52 aircraft, in three versions - IAK-52, IAK-52W and IAK-52TW.
Aerostar upgraded the Romanian Air Force's MiG-21 LanceR aircraft. This program included the development of upgrade programs for the MiG-21, and MiG-21 bis and also the MiG-29 SNIPER upgrade demonstrator program. A modernization program was also carried out on the YAK-52W and YAK-52TW trainers. The LAROM modernization program upgraded the 40 APRA 122 FMC multiple rocket launchers belonging to the army.
Aerostar developed its own light civil aircraft for aerobatics
and sport aviation, including the Festival light-sport aircraft
.
The company has engaged in international projects with Elbit Systems
, Thales Group
(Thomson-CSF
), EADS
(DaimlerChrysler Aerospace) or Textron Marine & Land Systems.
Bacau
Bacău is the main city in Bacău County, Romania. It covers a land surface of 43 km², and, as of January 1, 2009, has an estimated population of 177,087. The city is situated in the historical region of Moldavia, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, and on the Bistriţa River...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
.
History
Since its establishment in 1953, the company's name has changed in turn from U.R.A. to I.R.Av, I.Av. and finally Aerostar. It has been a subsidiary of the Ministry of Armed Forces, Air Defence Headquarters, General Industrial Direction of the Army, the Ministry of Machine Building Industry as part of the Central Department for Fine Mechanics and Aeronautical Industry, of Bucharest Aeronautical Group or of the National Centre of the Romanian Aeronautical industry.Aerostar has provided repair and maintenance services for all the aircraft types used by the Romanian military. The company also developed the IAR-93
IAR-93
IAR-93 "Vultur" is a twin-engine, subsonic, close support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft with secondary capability as low level interceptor, built as single-seat main attack version or combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon training...
twin-engine, tactical ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft, the first fighter aircraft built in Romania after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Upgrade programs for the MiG-21 (MiG-21 LanceR) and MiG-29 were developed by Aerostar in co-operation with Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is one of the world's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators. Established in 1967, and based in Haifa, Israel, Elbit employs 11,000 people worldwide....
.
The company has produced more than 1800 Yak-52 aircraft, in three versions - IAK-52, IAK-52W and IAK-52TW.
Aerostar upgraded the Romanian Air Force's MiG-21 LanceR aircraft. This program included the development of upgrade programs for the MiG-21, and MiG-21 bis and also the MiG-29 SNIPER upgrade demonstrator program. A modernization program was also carried out on the YAK-52W and YAK-52TW trainers. The LAROM modernization program upgraded the 40 APRA 122 FMC multiple rocket launchers belonging to the army.
Aerostar developed its own light civil aircraft for aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
and sport aviation, including the Festival light-sport aircraft
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
.
The company has engaged in international projects with Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is one of the world's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators. Established in 1967, and based in Haifa, Israel, Elbit employs 11,000 people worldwide....
, Thales Group
Thales Group
The Thales Group is a French electronics company delivering information systems and services for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security markets...
(Thomson-CSF
Thomson-CSF
Thomson-CSF was a major electronics and defence contractor. In December 2000 it was renamed Thales Group.-History:In 1879 Elihu Thomson and Edwin Houston formed the Thomson-Houston Electric Company in the United States....
), EADS
EADS
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
(DaimlerChrysler Aerospace) or Textron Marine & Land Systems.