The chief of the Navy Staff, Rear-Admiral Dorin Danila and the chief of the Air Force Staff, Lieutenant General Gheorghe Catrina, the representatives of the constructor and the local and central authorities participated today, January 30 at IAR Ghimbav headquarter in the presentation of the first IAR 330 PUMA NAVAL helicopter.

They presented the stage of the running of the program of endowment with this type of helicopter made for the first time by the Romanian aeronautic industry and the delivery plan of three helicopters for the Navy.

After the test period in Ghimbav, the naval helicopter will be tested on board of the frigates to be certified for search, rescue, evacuation of wounded people and surveillance on the sea.

The first eight officers, the pilots on these helicopters on board of frigates, started the training program in December 2005. This program is structured on three modules and developed at the School of Air Force Training Aurel Vlaicu from Bobocu and in other air bases.
Simultaneously, 18 NCOs are trained for exploitation and maintenance of the naval helicopters.


Technical data of the helicopter:
Propulsion: 2 TURBO IV B turbo engines, 1,400hp each
Dimensions: length-15m; heigh-4.7m; span-3.38m; main rotor diameter-16.2m
Max. take-off weight: 7,400kg
Load: 1,000kg
Crew: 3
Max speed: 263km/h
Static limit:4,800m
Autonomy: 550km

Navy Staff Public Relations Office