The IAR-90 was a proposed Romanian twin-jet liaison aircraft developed in 1968–1969. Designed by a team of engineers at the Aircraft Repair Plant in Bacău (U.M. 02640), currently Aerostar. The project aimed to create a versatile aircraft for military and civilian purposes. The project was abandoned in mid-1969 due to political decisions and logistical challenges.
Design and Development.
The IAR-90 was conceived as a lightweight liaison aircraft with a takeoff weight of 4 tons. It featured a high-mounted trapezoidal wing, a T-tail configuration, and a circular fuselage. The aircraft was designed to accommodate six to eight passengers and two pilots. Two engine configurations were proposed: the french Aubisque 1A or the british Bristol-Siddeley BS-358 turbofan engines, but no procurement agreements were finalized.
The design team, led by Teodor Zanfirescu, completed approximately 20–30% of the technical design. However, the project faced setbacks due to the lack of engine availability and shifting priorities toward military aircraft.
Intended Roles.
The IAR-90 was designed for a variety of roles, including:
Cancellation.
The project was abandoned in mid-1969 following a decision by the Romanian government to prioritize military aircraft development. The IAR-90 never progressed beyond the design phase. The engineers involved in the project were reassigned to other aviation initiatives, including the IAR-93 fighter-bomber developed in collaboration with Yugoslavia.