PZL Mielec I-22

Launched 1977, leading to 1980 Polish Ministry of National Defence Iskra-22 requirement for combat-capable jet trainer. The I-22 prototype made its first flight on March 3, 1985 and the type was revealed in October 1986 as a twin-jet advanced trainer/light-attack aircraft.

First production order (for nine aircraft, only five of which were completed in I-22 configuration) announced September 1991; first of these (serial number 103) made first flight 5 May 1992, handed over to Polish Air Force (with second aircraft 105) 24 October 1992; next three (201, 202 and 203) delivered February 1994 (203 since lost).

Reappraisal in 1995 indicated that I-22 with PZL-5s was underpowered, and the four survivors were due to be upgraded to M-96 standard during 1996-97 (K-15 engines, Martin-Baker seats and improved avionics). Earlier proposal to suspend Iryda development and buy 36 ex-German Alpha Jets was reversed in December 1995; funding concentrated instead on M-93K improvements and evaluation of M-96. The five survivors were delivered to PZL for conversion.

Equipment includes a ventral 23mm gun pod, four underwing hardpoints for up to 2,000kg of stores, a nose-mounted 13mm camera gun, 1FF, and a radar warning receiver. The landing gear is designed for rough-field operations and provision is made for a brake parachute.

I-22 Iryda
Engines: 2 x PZL-5 SO-3W22 turbojets, 10.7kN
Wingspan: 9.6 m / 32 ft 6 in
Length: 13.2 m / 43 ft 4 in
Height: 4.3 m / 14 ft 1 in
Wing area: 19.9 sq.m / 214.20 sq ft
Max take-off weight: 6900 kg / 15212 lb
Empty weight: 4700 kg / 10362 lb
Max. speed: 840 km/h / 522 mph
Cruise speed: 570 km/h / 354 mph
Ceiling: 11000 m / 36100 ft
Initial climb rate: 7283.46 ft/min / 37.0 m/s
Range w/max.fuel: 902 nm / 1670 km
Range w/max.payload: 420 km / 261 miles
Armament: 1 x 23mm GSz-23 cannon, 200 rounds
Hardpoints: 4
Bombload: 2000kg
Crew: 2

I-22 Iryda
Engines: 2 x PZL-5 SO-3W22 K-15 turbojets, 15 kN
Wingspan: 9.6 m / 32 ft 6 in
Length: 13.2 m / 43 ft 4 in
Height: 4.3 m / 14 ft 1 in
Wing area: 19.9 sq.m / 214.20 sq ft
Armament: 1 x 23mm GSz-23 cannon, 200 rounds
Hardpoints: 4