The Aviation Magazine No 48 January - February 2017

Romania's Navy (Fortele Navale Române/ FNR) is small compared to other naval forces in the Black Sea re‐ gion and within NATO. Despite having a number of frigates, corvettes and minesweepers, the size of the naval aviation component is limited to three IAR.330 ‘Puma Naval’ locally designed and built helicopters serving in a variety of tasks. Romanian Naval Aviation celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2017. The ‘Black Sea Knights’ helicopter squad‐ ron is housed at Tuzla Airport, located southwest of Constanta, and is operating three IAR.330s locally built and designated ‘Puma Naval’ (Navy) helicopters. The history of Romanian Naval Aviation dates back to June 1920 when the first aircraft ar‐ rived. By the end of World War 2 twenty‐four Heinkel He‐114s were in service. These sea‐ planes were withdrawn from service over the years with no replacement. Naval Aviation op‐ erations were disbanded in May 1960 when the last eight He‐114s were scrapped. In the late 1980's, when the first Tetal II class frigate and destroyer ‘Mărășești’ entered ser‐ vice with the FNR, a number of IAR.316B Alou‐ ette helicopters were outfitted with inflatable flotation gear and a winch on the port side, as well as foldable main rotor blades. The two Tetal II class ships have a deck capable of han‐ Heinkel He 114 of Romanian Naval Air Force dling one IAR.316B while ‘Marasesti’ has a deck Courtesy of San Diego Air and Space Museum and hangar capable of accommodating two IAR.316Bs. The helicopters were sourced from Air Force (Fortele Armee Română/ FAR) inventory, based at Tuzla at the time. With the disbandment of the 59th Helicopter Group from Tuzla in 2001 and the retire‐ ment of most of the IAR.316s, the Romanian Navy found itself with no helicopter support from the FAR. The few operational IAR.330s from the disbanded squadron at Tuzla transferred to the 863rd Helicopter Squadron at Mihail Kogalniceanu. According to Captain Ioan, FNR, “With the acquisition of two Type 22 frigates; F‐221 Regele Ferdinand (ex HMS Coventry) and F‐222 Regina Maria (ex HMS London) i n 2004 it became clear there was a need for a dedicated naval helicopter force and procedures had to be adopted resulting in a steep learning curve for our crews. Without helicopters we are not able to perform all our tasks. They are a vital part in our ASW/ ASuW tasks. In March 2016 a modernization programme has been started to upgrade the Type 22 frigates to be able to be able to carry out ASW and Anti‐Surface Ship Warfare (ASuW) missions and to improve the Command & Control systems onboard. The upgrade will have a timespan of three years planned to be fi‐ nalized in 2019”. A request for three new helicopters was issued. Elbit Systems & IAR Brasov were contracted in July 2005 with cooperation of FHL Claverham, Aerazur, Rockwell Collins, Breeze Eastern and Rafael Company from Israel. The first IAR.330 Puma Naval (#140) made its first flight at Ghimbav, Brasov on 30 January 2007.

The Aviation Magazine No 48 January - February 2017 | Page 80