Soko J-22 Orao

{{Short description|Yugoslav/Serbian ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = J-22 Orao | image = File:J-22 Orao 25121 241 LBAE 98 (cropped).jpg | caption = J-22 Orao of the Serbian Air Force | type = Attack aircraft<br />Reconnaissance aircraft | manufacturer = SOKO | designer = VTI - Yugoslavia <br /> INCAS - Romania | first_flight = 31 October 1974<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/> | introduction = 1978 | retired = | number_built = | status = Active | unit cost = | produced = 1974–1992 | primary_user = Serbian Air Force | more_users = Yugoslav Air Force {{small|(historical)}} <br /> Bosnian Air Force {{small|(historical)}} <br /> Republika Srpska Air Force {{small|(historical)}} | variants = IAR-93 Vultur }} The '''Soko J-22 Orao''' ({{lang-sr-cyr|text=Oрао|translation=eagle}}) is a Yugoslavian and later Serbian twin-engined, subsonic ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance aircraft. It was developed and built in collaboration by SOKO in Yugoslavia and by Avioane Craiova in neighbouring Romania, being known in the latter as the IAR-93 Vultur.

The Orao was designed as either a single-seat main attack version or as a combat-capable twin-seat version, the latter being principally intended for advanced flight- and weapons-training duties. It was developed as a joint Yugoslav-Romanian project, known as '''YuRom''', during the 1970s. Early ambitions to produce a supersonic fighter were scuppered by Britain's unwillingness to permit the desired engine to be license-produced in Eastern Europe. Further difficulties in fitting an afterburner to the older Rolls-Royce Viper also hindered development and the performance of early-build aircraft.

First flying during November 1974, the resulting aircraft would equip the air forces of both Romania and Yugoslavia, as well as several of Yugoslavia's successor states. On 22 November 1984, the Orao became the first Yugoslav-designed aircraft to exceed Mach 1, albeit achieved while in a shallow dive. During the 1990s, the type saw action during the Yugoslav Wars, typically flying ground-attack missions in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. As of July 2019, the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence was the only entity still operating the type.

==Development== ===Origins=== During 1970, the neighbouring nations of Romania and Yugoslavia began discussions on the subject of jointly developing a new ground-attack orientated fighter aircraft.<ref name = "fredriksen 301">Fredriksen 2001, p. 301.</ref><ref name = "forecast report2002"/> On 20 May 1971, the Romanian and Yugoslavian governments signed an agreement for the formation of ''YuRom'', a joint research and development venture between the two nations. According to aviation author John C. Fredriksen, the announcement was a logical extension of political policy, as the two nations' heads of state, Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia and Nicolae Ceaușescu, had both historically sought to avoid overreliance upon the Soviet Union, preferring to build ties and cooperative projects with other friendly or neutral nations.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/>

The research programme was headed by Dipl. Dr. Engineer Teodor Zanfirescu of Romania and Colonel Vidoje Knezević of Yugoslavia.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} The aircraft was intended to be a replacement for both the lightly armed Soko J-21 Jastreb and the Republic F-84 Thunderjet that were then in the Yugoslav People's Army's (JNA) arsenal.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} The requirements called for a lightweight aircraft that featured a relatively simple and rugged structure, that would use locally produced equipment and avionics, capable of operating from austere airstrips (including the ability to operate either from grass or damaged runways), as well as being reliable and easy to maintain.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

The resulting design was of a conventional twin-engine monoplane, featuring a high-mounted wing complete with all-swept flight surfaces.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/> According to Fredriksen, the design emphasised simplicity as well as modernity. Due to political sensitivities and a strong desire to avoid one nation upstaging the other, the aircraft featured two separate names; in Romania, it was known as the IAR-93 Vultur while in Yugoslavia it was referred to as the J-22 Orao.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/>

The design team had originally planned to develop a single-engined aircraft capable of supersonic speeds, but the United Kingdom would not authorize the license to produce the British engine that the designers had selected; the rejection was reportedly due to Romania being a member of the Soviet-aligned Warsaw Pact.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} In its place, the less-powerful Rolls-Royce Viper was chosen as the powerplant, as Soko already possessed experience with license-building this engine.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/> It was originally intended that an afterburner would be developed for the Viper engine, but there were prolonged difficulties with this project. Due to these complications, none of the pre-production aircraft or any early production examples would be equipped with afterburners; these would be largely restricted to conducting reconnaissance missions.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/> During the 1980s, both countries developed slightly different versions of the aircraft to take advantage of the afterburning engines that had since become available.<ref name = "flight 1996"/><ref name = "chant 468">Chant 2014, p. 468.</ref>

===Into flight=== thumb|left|J-22 Orao on display in 2012 During 31 October 1974, the Yugoslav prototype ''25002'' conducted its first flight from Batajnica Air Base near Belgrade, with Major Vladislav Slavujević at the controls.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> For political reasons, this flight was timed to deliberately coincide with the first flight of the IAR-93 Vultur prototype.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/> The third aircraft, numbered ''25003'', which was a pre-production two-seater version, performed its first flight on 4 July 1977. This aircraft was lost almost one year later, the cause of the accident was attributed to the occurrence of tail flutter.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Construction of further pre-production aircraft was unimpacted by the loss; during 1978, the first batches of pre-production machines were delivered to the Air Force Aircraft Testing Facility in Belgrade.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Subsequent serial production was established at a facility outside Mostar, (now in Bosnia and Herzegovina); this facility would be abandoned in early 1992 and heavily damaged during the Yugoslav Wars.<ref name = "flight 1999">Penney, Stewart. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/military-aircraft-directory-part-2-55008/ "Military Aircraft Directory Part 2."] ''Flight International'', 11 August 1999.</ref> The Yugoslav Army reportedly stripped most of the equipment from the Mostar factory and transported as much as possible to the Utva facility in Pancevo, Serbia.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> However, in spite of this effort, volume production of the J-22 would never be resumed either in Yugoslavia or in its successor states.<ref name = "fredriksen 301"/><ref name = "forecast report2002"/>

During October 1983, the first afterburner-equipped J-22 Orao was flown in Yugoslavia.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/military-aircaft-directory-avioane-40215/ "Military {{sic|nolink=y|Aircaft}} Directory: Avioane."] ''Flight International'', 29 September 1998.</ref> On 22 November 1984, an Orao No 25101 broke the sound barrier while in a shallow dive at an angle of 25 degrees, piloted by test pilot Marjan Jelen, above Batajnica airport.;<ref name="WAPJ7p23">''World Air Power Journal'' Autumn/Winter 1991, p. 23.</ref><ref>''AERO magazine'', No. 24. December 2000, Belgrade, p. 11.</ref> this instance made the J-22 the first Yugoslav-designed aircraft to exceed Mach 1.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} The aircraft is incapable of breaking the sound barrier in level flight, so it is classified as being a subsonic aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

==Design== thumb|Side-on depiction of a J-22 thumb|Modernised cockpit of J-22 The J-22 Orao is a twin-engined combat jet aircraft designed for performing close air support (CAS), ground-attack and tactical reconnaissance missions, it also features a limited air-defense capability.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> Twin-seat aircraft, designated ''NJ-22'', were primarily intended for performing tactical reconnaissance; they were also used to train air crew, being suitable for both the advanced flight and weapons training syllabuses.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> In terms of its configuration, it featured a shoulder-mounted wing and a pair of 23 mm twin-barrel cannon within the lower forward fuselage. It could be outfitted with a range of armaments, including bombs, rockets, and air-to-surface missiles.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> The cockpit was furnished with Martin-Baker-built zero/zero ejection seats. The engine-driven starter and generators were supplied by Lucas Industries.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> Access to the engine for servicing and inspection was eased by the design of the rear fuselage, which was detachable.<ref name = "forecast report2002">{{cite web |url = https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=1045&_gl=1*17dpezs*_up*MQ..*_ga*Mjk0NTQ2OTIuMTczMTY5OTAyNA..*_ga_78LFHYS9LV*MTczMTY5OTAyNC4xLjAuMTczMTY5OTAyNC4wLjAuMA.. |title = Archived Report: SOKO/Avioane J-22 Orao/IAR-93 |website = forecastinternational.com |date = 1 February 2002}}</ref>

The Orao was provisioned with standard communication and navigation equipment, the latter including a Honeywell-built SGP500 twin-gyroscope navigation system.<ref name="Janes 93 p180">Lambert 1993, p. 180.</ref> It incorporated a fire control and weapons management system, which used the Thomson-CSF-built VE-120T head-up display (HUD). Additional avionics included GEC-Marconi's three-axis stability augmentation system and Rockwell Collins' VIR-30 (or DME-40) VHF omnidirectional range and instrument landing system.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> In terms of defensive sensors and systems, it was equipped with an Iskra SO-1 radar warning receiver (RWR) and provision for up to three chaff/flare dispensers, as well as a P10-65-13 passive jammer pod. Further pods could be optionally fitted, including an optical/infrared reconnaissance pod or an optical reconnaissance/jammer pod.<ref name="Janes 93 p180"/>

Various upgrade programmes for the J-22 had been proposed during the 1990s; reportedly, such efforts would have been focused upon the aircraft's avionics.<ref name = "flight 1999"/> However, such ambitions were heavily undermined by the dismantling of the Mostar factory during the Yugoslav Wars and the collapse of Romania's communist government.<ref name = "flight 1996">[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aviaone-formerly-iav-craiova-9629/ "Aviaone (formerly IAV Craiova)."] ''Flight International'', 22 October 1996.</ref> During the late 2010s, Serbia launched a major modernisation programme involving both its J-22 and NJ-22 fleets.<ref name = "flight modern2019"/> Unofficially referred to as ''Orao 2.0'', this work involved the installation of new navigation and targeting systems, including Safran's Sigma 95 inertial navigation system, a mission computer and multi-function displays, into the NJ-22's rear cockpit which, along with new weapons, is intended to make the type more effective in ground attack missions. A more comprehensive second phase is to achieve the "complete digitalisation" of the aircraft's cockpit.<ref name = "flight modern2019">Salinger, Igor. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/serbia-outlines-orao-modernisation-programme-459456/ "Serbia outlines Orao modernisation programme."] ''Flight International'', 3 July 2019.</ref>

==Operational history== thumb|right|J-22 Orao single-seat prototype on display in the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade. Pre-production two-seat aircraft served as the prototype of that version.

The first Yugoslav Air Force unit to receive the J-22 was the 353rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 97th Aviation Brigade at Ortjes airbase near Mostar and 351st Reconnaissance Squadron, 82nd Aviation Brigade at Cerklje airbase.<ref name="balkanwarrior"/> Until the 1991 war, there were only three squadrons fully equipped with J-22 attack aircraft and NJ-22 trainer-attack aircraft, these being the 238th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 82nd Aviation Brigade; the 241st Squadron, 98th Aviation Brigade; and the 242nd Squadron, 127th Fighter-Bomber Regiment, Golubovci Airbase.<ref name="balkanwarrior"/> There were also about three squadrons partly equipped with J-22s.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

At the beginning of the Yugoslav wars, in Slovenia, J-22s flew over in a show of force, but did not drop any bombs.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} During 1991, the first offensive action to be conducted by the J-22 occurred when the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) used them to strike targets in Croatia. An NJ-22 piloted by Lt. Colonel Begic Muse was hit by Strela-2M over Đakovo and crashed near Ferkusevac on 19 September 1991. He ejected and was taken prisoner.<ref name="balkanwarrior"/>

As a result of the conflicts of the 1990s, the majority of the former Yugoslav Air Force's aircraft were relocated to the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, with smaller numbers ending up under the control of the other new states created by the break-up of Yugoslavia.<ref name = "flight 2003"/> The JNA left a squadron equipped with nine Oraos in the Bosnian-Serb Republika Srpska, with these aircraft becoming part of the new Republika Srpska Air Force, based at Mahovljani Airport outside Banja Luka.<ref>Barrie & Pite ''Flight International'' 24–30 August 1994, p. 54.</ref> The airworthiness of these aircraft soon deteriorated due to the combination of limited funding and the impact of international embargoes.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} By June 2003, the Republika Srpska Air Force had a force of seven J-22 Oraos.<ref name = "flight 2003">Salinger, Igor. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/balkan-rebirth-166329/ "Balkan rebirth."] ''Flight International'', 3 June 2003.</ref> These aircraft were ultimately inherited by the unified Bosnian Air Force. By 2008, all of Bosnia's J-22s had been placed into storage while the nation negotiated with neighbouring Serbia to potentially buy them; reportedly, Serbia was viewed as the only viable customer for the type.<ref name = "2008 surplus"/> Several ex-Yugoslav Air Force J-22s were also operated by the Air Force of the Republic of Serbian Krajina following the withdrawal of the JNA from Croatia.<ref name = "Croatia 1995">Jeziorski, Andrzej. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/croatias-cocked-hammer-27976/ "Croatia's cocked hammer."] ''Flight International'', 1 February 1995.</ref>

thumb|J-22 flying at low level, Kecskemét (Hungary), 2007 On 28 February 1994, two J-22 and six J-21 of the Republika Srpska Air Force sortied against Bosnian arms factories in Bugojno and Novi Travnik, respectively. The J-22s successfully attacked the target and returned unscathed to Udbina airbase, while the J-21s were intercepted by NATO F-16s after hitting their target, which culminated into the Banja Luka incident.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.difesaonline.it/news-forze-armate/storia/aviazioni-sconosciute-nella-storia-laeronautica-militare-della-repubblica |title=Unknown aviation in history: the Air Force of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia during the civil war |website=en.difesaonline.it |date=14 February 2020 |access-date= 3 June 2025}}</ref>

During 1999, Yugoslav J-22s saw limited combat against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), reportedly flying 36 combat missions.<ref name=zivota/> One J-22, piloted by Lt. Colonel Života Ðurić, was lost on 25 March 1999 in unclear circumstances, either through malfunction, pilot error or ground fire from KLA units.<ref name=zivota>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraf.rs/english/2945975-the-hero-of-the-serbian-sky-said-one-last-sentence-before-his-last-flight-commander-zivota-djuric-was-the-first-nato-victim-in-1999-video |title=The hero of the Serbian sky said one last sentence before his last flight: Commander Zivota Djuric was the first NATO victim in 1999 |publisher=Telegraf (Serbia) |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=28 February 2020 }}</ref> In addition, eleven aircraft were destroyed on the ground, the majority of these at Ponikve Air Base, when a NATO air strike hit one hangar that reportedly had six J-22 and two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 aircraft inside.{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}

The Serbian Air Force operates a fleet comprising seventeen J-22 and NJ-22 Oraos; of which eight are modernized (version J-22 M1A).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Banković |first=Živojin |date=2023-10-04 |title=[PARTNER 2023] Miloradović za Tango Six o trenutnom statusu projekta Orao 2.0: "Modernizovani Orao je u serijskoj proizvodnji, određen broj aviona već je u upotrebi" |url=https://tangosix.rs/2023/04/10/partner-2023-miloradovic-za-tango-six-o-trenutnom-statusu-projekta-orao-2-0-modernizovani-orao-je-u-serijskoj-proizvodnji-odredjen-broj-aviona-vec-je-u-upotrebi/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Tango Six |language=sr-RS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banković |first=Živojin |date=2023-11-23 |title=Nove informacije vezane za osavremenjavanje jurišnih aviona Orao: Serijska modernizacija, obuka pilota, oprema i naoružanje |url=https://tangosix.rs/2023/23/11/nove-informacije-vezane-za-osavremenjavanje-jurisnih-aviona-orao-serijska-modernizacija-obuka-pilota-oprema-i-naoruzanje/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Tango Six |language=sr-RS}}</ref>

==Variants== ;IJ-22 Orao 1 :26 dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, consisting of the single prototype, 10 pre-production, and 15 serial production aircraft.<ref name="balkanwarrior"/> The IJ-22 Orao 1 differs from the J-22B Orao 2 in having two Viper Mk 632-41R turbojets each rated at 17.79 kN dry and supplied with fuel from an internal weight of 2,360 kg, length of 14.90 m including probe for single seat model or 15.38 m including probe for two-seat model, wheelbase of 5.40 m for single-seat model or 5.88 m for two-seat model, empty equipped weight of 5,755 kg, normal takeoff weight of 8,500 kg with reconnaissance pod, maximum take-off weight of 9500, maximum level speed 'clean' of 1,033 km/h at 8,000 m and 1,050 km/h at sea level, maximum rate of climb at sea level of 2,280 m per minute, climb to 6000 m in 3 minutes 12 seconds, and service ceiling of 13,500 m.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} ;INJ-22 Orao 1 :Two-seat variant of IJ-22 Orao 1, used for the training of reconnaissance pilots. nine were built: the single prototype, five pre-production, and three serial production aircraft.<ref name="balkanwarrior"/> ;INJ-22M Orao 1 :A single serial production INJ-22 (number ''25606'') was converted into maritime surveillance variant at Soko factory. All equipment and controls of the rear cockpit were removed and replaced with a new display, including a large CRT monitor. An Ericsson Doppler surveillance radar, housed in a pod, was fitted under the belly.<ref name="balkanwarrior"/> ;J-22A Orao 1 :Yugoslav equivalent to IAR-93A with a non-afterburning Orao/Turbomecanica (Rolls-Royce/Bristol Siddeley) Viper Mk 632-41R turbojets each rated at 17.79 kN dry, but with J-22Bs higher-rated hardpoints. First flew in October 1983 and built only as a single-seater.<ref name = "chant 468"/> ;J-22B Orao 2 :Yugoslav equivalent to the IAR-93B with afterburner, integral wing tankage, the greater weapons load and diversity of the J-22A Orao 1, and Thomson-CSF HUD. Built only in single-seat form. J-22A/B production totalled 165 aircraft.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Yugoslavia had planned a major upgrade with radar and computer nav/attack system integrated via a MIL-STD-1553 digital databus, but the dissolution of Yugoslavia ended plans.<ref name = "forecast report2002"/> Only 57 aircraft were delivered before production ceased; not all were up to the full J-22 Orao 2 standard. An additional 42 aircraft were ordered but never delivered.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} ;NJ-22 Orao :Dedicated two-seat training variant with afterburning engines operated by Yugoslav Air Force. First flew July 1986, and 21 were delivered whilst construction of a further 17 was cancelled.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} ;J-22M1A Orao : Modernized J-22 with glass cockpit, sensors, and external cameras.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tangosix.rs/2023/23/11/nove-informacije-vezane-za-osavremenjavanje-jurisnih-aviona-orao-serijska-modernizacija-obuka-pilota-oprema-i-naoruzanje/ | title=Nove informacije vezane za osavremenjavanje jurišnih aviona Orao: Serijska modernizacija, obuka pilota, oprema i naoružanje | date=23 November 2023 }}</ref>

==Operators== ; {{flag|Serbia}} * Serbian Air Force and Air Defence – 17 in service of which 4 are modernized (version J-22 M1A).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Banković |first=Živojin |date=2023-10-04 |title=[PARTNER 2023] Miloradović za Tango Six o trenutnom statusu projekta Orao 2.0: "Modernizovani Orao je u serijskoj proizvodnji, određen broj aviona već je u upotrebi" |url=https://tangosix.rs/2023/04/10/partner-2023-miloradovic-za-tango-six-o-trenutnom-statusu-projekta-orao-2-0-modernizovani-orao-je-u-serijskoj-proizvodnji-odredjen-broj-aviona-vec-je-u-upotrebi/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Tango Six |language=sr-RS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banković |first=Živojin |date=2023-11-23 |title=Nove informacije vezane za osavremenjavanje jurišnih aviona Orao: Serijska modernizacija, obuka pilota, oprema i naoružanje |url=https://tangosix.rs/2023/23/11/nove-informacije-vezane-za-osavremenjavanje-jurisnih-aviona-orao-serijska-modernizacija-obuka-pilota-oprema-i-naoruzanje/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Tango Six |language=sr-RS}}</ref>

===Former operators=== ; {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} * Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina – inherited 7 aircraft from the Republika Srpska Air Force.<ref name = "2008 surplus">{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/serbia-eyes-surplus-bosnian-fighters-316787/ |title=Serbia eyes surplus Bosnian fighters |publisher=Flightglobal.com |date=25 September 2008 |accessdate=23 April 2013}}</ref> None are in service as of 2019.<ref name="World Air Forces 2019">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-2019-world-air-forces-directory-454126/ |title = World Air Forces 2019 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2019 |accessdate= 29 March 2019}}</ref> ; {{flag|Yugoslavia}} * Yugoslav Air Force – aircraft passed to successor states after the breakup of Yugoslavia.

==Specifications (J-22)== thumb|right|Three point view {{Aircraft specs | ref = ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993-94'',<ref name="Janes 93 p179-81">Lambert 1993, pp. 179–181.</ref> ''International Air Power Review Vol.3''<ref name="balkanwarrior">{{cite magazine|first=Danut |last=Vlad |editor-first=David |editor-last=Donald |date=2002 |title=IAR-93 and Orao: Balkan Warrior |magazine=International Air Power Review |volume=3 |publisher=Airtime Publishing |ISBN=9781880588376 |page=94-105}}</ref> | prime units? = met | genhide = | crew = 1 | capacity = | length m = 13.02 | length note = (fuselage length); {{convert|14.90|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (including nose probe) | span m = 9.30 | span ft = | span in = | height m = 4.52 | height ft = | height in = | wing area sqm = 26.00 | wing area sqft = | wing area note = | aspect ratio = 3.33:1 | airfoil = NACA 65A-008 (modified) | empty weight kg = 5500 | empty weight lb = | empty weight note = | gross weight kg = 8170 | gross weight note = (clean) | max takeoff weight kg = 11080 | fuel capacity = {{convert|3120|L|USgal impgal|abbr=on}} | more general =  | eng1 number = 2 | eng1 name = Orao/Turbomecanica-built Rolls-Royce Viper Mk 633-47 | eng1 type = turbojets | eng1 kn = 17.79 | eng1 lbf =  | power original = | eng1 kn-ab = 22.24 | eng1 lbf-ab =  | more power =  | perfhide = | max speed kmh = 1130 | max speed mph = | max speed kts = | max speed note = at sea level; Mach 0.96 at {{convert|11000|m|ft|abbr=on}} | cruise speed kmh =  | cruise speed mph =  | cruise speed kts = | never exceed speed kmh = | never exceed speed mph = | never exceed speed kts = | stall speed kmh = 185 | stall speed note = (gear and flaps down) | range km = | range miles = | range nmi = | combat range km = 522 | combat range miles = | combat range note = (hi-lo-hi profile with 4× BL755 cluster bombs and 1× {{convert|1500|L|USgal impgal|abbr=on}} drop tank) | ferry range km = 1320 | ferry range note = (2× {{convert|500|L|USgal impgal|abbr=on}} drop tanks) | endurance =  | ceiling m = 15000 | ceiling ft = | g limits = -4.2 - +8 | roll rate =  | climb rate ms = | climb rate ftmin = 17520 | lift to drag = | wing loading kg/m2 = | wing loading lb/sqft = | wing loading note = | more performance =  | guns = 2× GSh-23L cannons in lower front fuselage, below engine air intakes, with 200 rounds per gun | bombs = | rockets = | missiles = | hardpoints = 5 (4 underwing and 1 centreline) | hardpoint capacity = {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} wing hardpoints, {{convert|800|kg|lb|abbr=on}} fuselage station, {{convert|2800|kg|lb|abbr=on}} total | hardpoint rockets = BRZ-127 rockets, L-57-16MD (UB-16) rocket pods, L-128-04 rocket pods | hardpoint missiles = AGM-65B Maverick TV guided AGM or Grom-1 AGM (based on Soviet Kh-23), VRVZ-200 infrared homing AGM (Only fitted to modernised variants of the J-22, there are TV guided variants of the missile), VRVZ-240 infrared homing AGM (Only fitted to modernised variants of the J-22) R-60MK infrared homing AAM | hardpoint bombs = 50/100/250/500 kg general-purpose bombs, BL755 cluster bombs, PLAB-350 napalm bombs, LVB-250F Laser-guided bomb (based off the FAB-250 bomb, that has been modified with a guidance system, only fitted to modernised variants of the J-22) | hardpoint other = Matra Durandal anti-runway bombs, AM-500 sea mines, RADEOM Radar jamming pod | avionics = Thomson-CSF Heads Up Display | thrust/weight = 0.44 at gross weight }}

==See also== {{aircontent| |related= * IAR-93 Vultur |similar aircraft= * Sukhoi Su-25 * AMX International AMX * Mitsubishi F-1 * Nanchang Q-5 * SEPECAT Jaguar }}

==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin}} * Chant, Christopher. ''A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware.'' Routledge, 2014. {{ISBN|1134646682}}. * Barrie, Douglas and Pite, Jenny. [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202007.html "World's Air Forces"]. ''Flight International'', 24–30 August 1994, Vol. 146, No. 4435. pp. 29–64. {{ISSN|0015-3710}}. * Gunston, Bill. ''The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes: The Development and Specifications of All Active Military Aircraft''. New York: MetroBooks, 1995. {{ISBN|1-58663-207-8}}. * "Briefing: Jurom Orao/IAR-93: An underpowered Eagle?". ''World Air Power Journal'', Volume 7, Autumn/Winter 1991. pp. 22–25. {{ISBN|1-874023-73-5}}. {{ISSN|0959-7050}}. * Fredriksen, John C. ''International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914-2000''. ABC-CLIO, 2001. {{ISBN|1-57607-364-5}}. * Gunston, Bill. ''Encyclopedia of World Air Power''. London: Crescent, 1987. {{ISBN|0-517-49969-X}}. * Lambert, Mark (ed.). ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993-94''. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. {{ISBN|0-7106-1066-1}}. {{Refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category|J-22 Orao|Soko J-22 Orao}} * [http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/yugo/af2/types/soko_j22.htm ''Serbian Air Force'' entry at World Air Forces website] * [http://www.airserbia.com/karakteristike/J-22_Orao/index.htm AIRSERBIA - Serbian Aeronautical Information Network] * [http://www.airliners.net/open.file/715528/M/ Soko J-22 Orao] at Airliners.net * Photo at ABG (Avijacija Bez Granica): [https://web.archive.org/web/20070917041734/http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com/Photos/Mjesecno/juni2005/imagepages/image273.html Orao NJ-22 in flight 1980s]

Category:1970s international attack aircraft J-022 Orao Category:1970s Yugoslav attack aircraft Category:Twinjets Category:Military Technical Institute Belgrade Category:Romania–Serbia relations Category:High-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1974 Category:Romania–Yugoslavia relations

Soko J-22 Orao

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