Deck helicopters of the Romanian Navy. Part 2
In 2001, the Romanian Military Research Agency (ACTTM) demonstrated at the international specialized exhibition EXPO Mil (Bucharest, Romania) aviation SIN-100 sonar option.
Judging by the comments, the alteration of the Romanian locator for the needs of deck aircraft did not cause delight.
At the same show, ACTTM demonstrated a prototype of an anti-submarine grenade launcher (lansator de grenade anti-submarine). PUs were mounted on the outer air suspension hubs of the aircraft and were designed for the use of ammunition that had already been produced at the mechanical plant TOHAN SA (Brasov, Romania). It was about depth bombs BAE-1 caliber 45 kg, of which the explosive weight was 25 kg. The BAE-1 depth bomb dive speed stated is about 2,1 m / s.
I believe that the use of depth bombs of caliber up to 50 kg is effective at shallow depths: to protect external raids and coastal waters, as well as border rivers. They are good for arming patrol boats, for example, “type 80” of the Swedish Navy or Danube ships flotilla Romanian Navy. But for anti-submarine operations in the open sea, these bombs, to put it mildly, are ineffective.
At 2007, at EXPO Mil, the Romanian factory TOHAN SA demonstrated at its booth a launcher for light anti-submarine air-launched torpedoes from Portsmouth Aviation Ltd.
It is not clear whether the Romanians were going to produce them under license, or it was about acquiring a lot of such PUs.
PU for aviation torpedoes made in Portsmouth Aviation
The Romanian author, from whom I borrowed this information (George GMT), writes that he still could not find out whether at least one of the above samples was adopted or not.
The same author also posted photos of other Romanian depth bombs from the TOHAN SA plant. Apparently, to expand the range of knowledge, as they are hardly relevant to the helicopter theme.
Puma socat
At the beginning of 90, the Romanian enterprise IAR, together with the Israeli company Elbit Systems, began to draw up a plan for the modernization of the helicopter fleet of the armed forces of Romania (the Puma-2000 project). The aim of the program was to create a modern attack helicopter, designed primarily to combat enemy armored vehicles. From 1999 to 2005, the 25 machines were upgraded, and they were delivered to the aircraft under the designation IAR 330 Puma SOCAT. It cost the Romanian treasury 150 million euros.
SOCAT (Sistem Optronic de Cercetare și Anti-Tanc).
Sistem Optronic (rum.) = Opto-electronic system.
Cercetare (rum.) = Observation, intelligence.
Anti-Tanc (rum.) To combat tanks.
That is, this is a version of the helicopter, which is equipped with an optical-electronic system for reconnaissance, as well as search and destruction of tanks on the battlefield.
Armament Puma SOCAT (tank destroyer):
Rocket:
32X NAR C-5K or C-5M in 2x suspended blocks on pylons;
8x ATFM Spike-ER from Rafael in 2x suspended blocks on pylons;
Cannon:
1x 20 mm M621 gun (GIAT / Nexter) on the THL 20 nose turret.
Passed the test and the helicopter, equipped with the same guns M621, but in outboard containers (NC 621). However, preference was given to the cannon on the bow turret.
Puma Nabal second generation
In 2008, IAR received an order to adapt the Puma SOCAT 3 machines to the needs of the Romanian fleet. They were supposed to replace the previous generation Puma Naval helicopters on the decks of the Mareshesht, Reghel Ferdinand and Regina Maria frigates. In March, the Romanian Navy 2009 received a new generation of Puma Naval helicopters. This became possible thanks to the cooperation not only with Elbit Systems Ltd., but also with other manufacturers: Turbomecanica, Aerostar, Aeroteh, Aerofina, Airbus Helicopters, Rafael, Breeze Eastern, Rockwell-Collins, Terma AS, Thales Underwater Systems, CCIZ, Condor.
The Puma Naval 2 generation retained the Elbit infrared observation system installed on the Puma SOCAT and, finally, in 2011, they received onboard radar Telephonics RDR-1500B.
Cases of Puma Naval have been subjected to anti-corrosion treatment, and the cars themselves have received richer equipment.
Here is a partial list:
- radar circular review;
- warning system for laser irradiation;
- EW system;
- automatic identification system of ships;
- equipment for the detection of emergency beacons;
- Electromechanical system of folding propeller blades;
- suspended fuel tank;
- lock (harpoon), locking helicopter on the deck of the ship;
- 2 landing search lights;
- energy absorbing pilot seats;
- rescue winch;
- flight suits with thermal insulation and life jackets for the crew.
The 3 helicopter Puma Naval-2 (onboard number 142) was demonstrated
Along the other side - training torpedo
2007 year, the Puma Nawal program is valid for the whole 2 year.
Armament "Puma Naval"
The Couples on deck that have been adapted have lost their missile-gun and rifle armaments. The issue with the use of depth bombs by helicopters of the 45 kg caliber remained unresolved. And what in return?
A plan for the modernization of deck helicopters was drawn up and approved. It included the installation of various weapons, systems and equipment. The implementation of the plan was divided into several stages.
Stage E1 implemented in the period 2005-2008. Certification of the machine in the approved configuration was carried out in May 2007, the delivery of the upgraded helicopters was completed in December 2008.
Stage E2A: in the period 2008-2011. Certification - in June 2011, delivery of machines in November 2011.
Stage 2B: 2012-2015 (divided into 2 sub-steps 2B-1 and 2B-2). Certification of both sub-steps in September 2014, machine supplies (2B-1) October-January 2014 and 2B-2 September-December 2015.
17 December 2015, the Romanian Navy received another Puma Naval helicopter version 2B-2. And now the 57 helicopter group Tuzla has 4 vehicles. At this point, the plan "Puma Naval" for the development of deck helicopters for the Romanian Navy completed.
After the finalization of the 2B-2 stage, Puma Naval helicopters were supposed to become truly multi-purpose. Especially for the NATO operation "Atlanta" one of the helicopters received pivot (swivel) installations in the doorway for mounting 7,62 / 12,7-mm machine guns.
Air gunner (door gunner) of the Romanian helicopter with DShKM.
The arrow functions as a flight mechanic, who is also a winch operator.
After the operation “Atlanta”, the variants of armament of Puma helicopters Naval 12,7-mm Browning M2 machine gun and even a six-barrel rapid-fire machine gun M134 Minigun were proposed. The Romanians refused Browning, and at the end of the 2012 of the year the 6-Minigun was adopted: the Dillon Aero 7,62-mm machine gun GAU-17 (M134D Minigun).
But, apparently, it didn’t go further than the exhibition demonstrations and shooting training. This is understandable, because, according to the author of the article in romanialibera.ro, the state spent 500 thousand euros for an upgrade of an anti-piracy helicopter (installation of an optical-electronic surveillance system and AAS).
After the exhibition, Minigun was dismantled from a helicopter, the buoys were taken away and he flew to the base after another upgrade: the launchers for the StingRey torpedoes would be mounted. 09 August 2013, the Ministry of National Defense of Romania (MApN) announced a tender for the purchase of light torpedoes in the amount of 18 units. The budget allocated 55 million lei (USD 16,5-17 million).
While the tender was going on, users in the Romanian forums were guessing: they buy torpedoes either for frigates, or for deck helicopters. And compared the advantages of light torpedoes. Who would prefer: whether the British Stingray, or the American MU-90 (replacement for Mark 46)?
Finally, everything cleared up: purchased from the English Sting Ray. It was rumored that the torpedoes are not new. It seems like they were decommissioned by the British, underwent restoration work and then sold to Romania.
Now the admiral will push it, and the father will sanctify everything around
Puma Naval helicopter is preparing to launch a training torpedo.
The commentary to the photo states that the torpedo was produced in Romania and is a complete analogue of the Stingray torpedo. Oh how!
Powerplant Puma helicopters
The power plant Puma helicopters consists of two gas turbine engines (GTE) Turmo (Turmo) IV-CA horsepower 1588. each. They have been manufactured in Romania since the middle of the 70-s under license from the French company Turbomeca. Kerosene is used as fuel.
Mr. Puma Nawal
Deck helicopters of the Romanian Navy are based at the airfield of Tuzla, near the port of Constanta. This unit is called the “Tuzla 57-I Helicopter Group” (Grupul 57 Elicoptere Tuzla). Since the formation of the group (2005) over the course of 10 years, its permanent commander has been Commander Tudorel Duce. This officer made his first flight 34 a year ago, while studying at the military college "Dimitrie Cantemir" (Brasov, Romania).
Two decades of service in the Romanian Air Force followed, during which he developed his professional skills.
1984 year: He graduated from the Aurel Vlayka Military Aviation Pilot School (Buzau, Romania). Awarded the rank of lieutenant, mastered the profession of "military pilot pilot helicopter."
1995 year: graduated from the Military Technical Academy (Bucharest, Romania). Received a bachelor's degree.
2002 year: He graduated from the United Military College (Paris, France). Received a master's degree.
2003 year: transferred to service in the Navy of Romania. During the year, she studies at the French Institute for Flight Safety (Paris, France). Upon completion of the course received a diploma “Flight Safety Officer”.
In November 2005, the Aviation Administration Center was established at the General Headquarters of the Romanian Navy. Commander Tudorel Dutse * was appointed chief of the Aviation Administration Center (and commander of the helicopter group). His rank corresponds to the rank of captain of the 2 rank (Navy) or lieutenant colonel of land forces. Already in December, the first group of 8 naval officers became cadets at the Aurel Vlayku Flight School (Şcoala de Aplicaie pentru Forţele Aeriene "Aurel Vlaicu"). This school 21 a year ago graduated from the commander himself, then still a young lieutenant.
* Tudorel is a diminutive form of the name Tudor (Fedor). I understand when mom or loving wife treats him that way. But imagine that the foreman or junior officer reports to the lieutenant colonel: “Fedyunchik! Your order is fulfilled! ”, I can not.
Commander Duze is rightfully considered the founder of the Romanian naval aviation. For his great contribution to the cause of creation, development and upholding the interests of naval aviation, he was given the nickname “Puma Naval Man” (Omul "Puma Naval").
Do not think of pathos, but for the Romanian naval aviation this man is comparable with Vasily Filippovich Margelov.
Commander took a personal part in almost all the teachings and campaigns. For example, in the international operation “Atlanta” against Somali pirates. The Romanian Navy sent a Reggele Ferdinand frigate for operation with a deck helicopter on board. Piloted car Commander Dutse.
Tudorel Duce by the Puma Naval helicopter, the deck of the frigate “Regele Ferdinand”
The teachings of the 2 th group of NATO ships on the Black Sea in March 2015 (Standing NATO Maritime Group 2) also did not do without the participation of Mr. Duce. The machine under the command of the commander was brought aboard the Regina Maria frigate, Romanian Defense Minister Mircea Dusa. A strong wind was blowing that morning, the sea was turbulent, the height of the waves reached 3 meters, but the helicopter with the minister made a good landing.
Exercise Standing NATO Maritime 2015, deck of the frigate “Regina Maria”
Tudorel Duce is fluent in French and English and thanks to this he received excellent training not only in Romania, but also abroad. For his impeccable service and professionalism, Commander Duze was awarded the highest government awards, including the Order of Merit / Valor of various degrees.
2009 year: Cavalier Degree of Order “For Maritime Merit” (Ordinul Virtutea Maritimă în grad de Cavaler).
2013 year: officer's degree of the Order of Maritime Merit (Ordinul Virtutea Maritimă gradn grad de Ofiţer).
2014 year: Cavaliers Degree of Order “For Military Merit” (Ordinul Virtutea Militară în grad de Cavaler).
It is noteworthy that in 2013 the officer’s degree was awarded to other senior officers, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Romanian Navy, Rear Admiral Alexandru Mîrşu. During his long service, Tudorel Duze accumulated about 3000 hours of flight experience, and in the spring of 2015, he retired.
Commander's last flight
22 April 2015, Commander Duze made his last flight as a military pilot. The father of the Romanian naval aviation and the commander of the helicopter group picked up the car from the Tuzla airfield at his native military base near Constanta. It all started as usual: pre-flight medical monitoring, then a briefing and receiving flight documentation. That day it was overcast and rainy, but sometimes the sun peeped through the clouds. The weather was windless, but the pilot was briefly in a zone of turbulence. As Commander Dutse said after landing, the change of weather during the flight is a brief summary of his life that he spent in the air. With such moments faced by any pilot during his long career. The future military retiree flew around the airfield and the port of Mangalia: in a word, everything that has become close and dear in a decade. During the flight and before the landing, the commander's helicopter was accompanied by a pair of light-weight Diamond DA20. A kind honor guard or motorcade as a sign of respect for a worthy commander and person.
On the airfield to meet the pilot lined up many of his colleagues. There was even the chief of staff of the Romanian Navy and a friend of the pilot, Rear Admiral Alexander Mirshu. In the hangar, colleagues organized a small farewell ceremony. After a short speech, the former commander of the helicopter group with the words "handing over control into good hands" handed the helicopter control stick (joystick) to his successor. The founder of the air force of the Navy retired, but the Puma Nawal project will continue to develop after his departure.
Below I tried to make a comparative table of several deck helicopters. Participating in comparison are: IAR 330 Puma Naval (deck modification IAR 330 Puma) of the Romanian Navy .; SH-32 Cougar (deck modification Super Puma AS-532SC) Navy of Chile; Lynx HAS.3 (HAS = Helicopter, Anti-Submarine) of the Royal Navy of Great Britain.
Interesting facts
Italian Aerospatiale, after several mergers, became part of Eurocopter, then Aérospatiale-Matra, and finally Airbus Helicopters.
Helicopters Westland "Lynx" - a joint development of the British company Westland and the French Aérospatiale.
The English Westland (Westland) was also absorbed several times and first became part of AgustaWestland, then Finmeccanica, and from 28 in April 2016 Leonardo-Finmeccanica.
French Turbomeca is part of the Safran group. In 1968, the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Limited (RRTM) joint venture was registered.
The Anglo-French joint venture was created to develop the Adour theater for the SEPECAT Jaguar fighter (SEPECAT Jaguar). The joint venture has developed and produces two types of aircraft engines: turbofan (TRD) Adur and gas turbine (GTE) RTM322. In 2001, the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca company received a contract in 1 billion USD to equip 399 German, French and Dutch Eurocopter NHI NH90 helicopters with RTM322 engines. As of 2012, Turbomeca supplies engines for installation on civil and military helicopters not only from Eurocopter, but also from other leading manufacturers: AgustaWestland, Sikorsky, HAL, NHI.
In 2013, there were negotiations with Russia for the installation of Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engines on Ka-62 and Arrius 2G1 on Ka-226Т.
On the Romanian website rumaniamilitary.ro someone expressed the opinion that, apparently, IAR 330 PUMA Naval is the swan song of the Romanian helicopter engineering. But many believe that IAR has a future. Indeed, there is much to move: you can start the production of new engine models to replace the development of 40-year-old.
Firstly, these engines can be replaced by those outdated on the helicopters of the Air Force and Navy of Romania (about 40 units).
Secondly, about 60 helicopters were exported to the following countries: the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Congo, Kenya, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Sudan, South Africa. These countries may also want to get new engines for their cars.
Even the UK bought 6 helicopters from South Africa for parts for the needs of the Royal Air Force. That is, the British have a certain number of similar helicopters.
In total, more than 170 IAR 330 Puma helicopters have been produced, and many need spare parts or upgrades. Yes, and IAR 316 Aluette was produced around 130 machines for which components are needed. In addition, the manufacturer offers a civilian modification of IAR 330 Puma VIP in the VVIP configuration for comfortable accommodation of 12 VIPs.
Yes, Romania’s aircraft manufacturing industry is not in the best condition. And proof of the fact that since 2000, IAR has split into 3 companies:
IAR Ghimbav - production and repair of helicopters.
Construcţii Aeronautice - production and repair of aircraft.
Top Therm - production of PVC windows and doors.
In short, they spin and survive as they can. But, as they say, wait and see.
Below I post curious videos with the participation of the deck helicopter "Puma".
The author thanks Bongo for the advice.
END.
Information sources:
The magazine “Marina Romana” (Jan. - Feb. 2006).
Savinsky Yuri Ezekelevich. Helicopter universe // World of the helicopter.
https://www.facebook.com/tudorel.duta
https://www.facebook.com/ForteleNavaleRomane/
https://www.facebook.com/grupul.deelicoptere.1/
http://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/istoric_elicopt.php
http://www.cartula.ro/forum/topic/7343-iar-316-b-alouette-naval/
http://m.ziarulevenimentul.ro/stiri/stiinta-si-tehnica/elicopterul-iar-316b-alouette--33248.html
http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/date-despre-iar-330-puma-naval
http://romaniaforum.info/board3-marina-romana-romanian-navy/board636-armament-naval/board683-elicoptere-navale-maritime-helicopters/1480-i-a-r-330-puma-naval/#post4232
http://www.resboiu.ro/bsda-2014-iar-330-puma-naval/
http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/radarul-de-pe-puma-naval http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/un-elicopter-antisubmarin-puma-naval-prima-varianta
http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/puma-naval-sm-sau-super-puma#prettyPhoto
http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/torpila-sting-ray-pe-puma-naval
http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/date-despre-iar-330-puma-naval
http://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/firmele-britanice-si-nu-doar-ele-interesate-de-industria-de-aparare-romaneasca
http://www.helicopter-database.de/photo_search.php?type=99999®=&cn=3140&operator=99999&airport=99999&author=99999&PhotoDate=99999&photoid=99999&category=99999&sortby=99999&country=99999&count_select=ja&PageNum=1
http://www.bizbrasov.ro/2015/12/16/iar-ghimbav-livreaza-joi-ultimul-elicopter-iar-330-puma-naval/
http://www.resboiu.ro/puma-naval-lansare-a-unei-torpile-de-exercitiu/
http://www.resboiu.ro/marina-primeste-maine-cel-de-al-patrulea-elicopter-puma-naval/
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B0-25
http://www.nnre.ru/transport_i_aviacija/aviacija_i_kosmonavtika_2007_07/p9.php http://www.airwar.ru/enc/uh/ka126.html
http://russianplanes.net/type/Kamov/Ka-26
http://avia.pro/blog/vertolyot-iar-330-tehnicheskie-harakteristiki-foto
http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/ka-126.php
http://suntemromania.blogspot.md/2015/03/797exercitii-pe-mare-reporter-in-focul_17.html
http://romaniaforum.info/board3-marina-romana-romanian-navy/board636-armament-naval/board683-elicoptere-navale-maritime-helicopters/1480-i-a-r-330-puma-naval/#post4232
http://target.ucoz.ru/publ/24-1-0-385 http://www.mapn.ro/cpresa/2547_Prezentarea-elicopterului-IAR-330-PUMA-NAVAL
Information