Armed versions carried a single 23mm NS-23 or NR-23 series cannon in the nose. Later versions were given provision for the carrying of up to 880lb of externally-held stores across four underwing hardpoints (two per wing).
The TS-11 satisfied the Polish Air Force need and serial production ramped up in 1953 with official introduction arriving in 1964 through the "Iskra-bis A" mark. The follow-on "Iskra-bis B" introduced a light attack capability by way of four underwing hardpoints (two per wing). For a brief time, the TS-11 series was under consideration as a standardized jet trainer to serve Warsaw Pact forces but it failed to edge out the competing Czech-originated Aero L-29 "Delfin" (detailed elsewhere on this site).
From 1966 on the series was revised with the WSK SO-1 engine of 2,200 lb thrust and, in 1969, these were supplanted by the SO-3 series engines. The SO-3 was a marked improvement over the original SO-1 which had a life of about 100 hours before an overhaul was required (the SO-3 increased this to 400 hours). The SO-3W22 was the ultimate incarnation of this engine and outputted 2,425lb of thrust. This particular engine form eventually powered the TS-11 as well. 1969 saw series adoption by the "White-and-Red Sparka" acrobatic flying team of Poland.
In 1971, the Iskra-bis C was unveiled as a single-seat reconnaissance platform with a fuselage-mounted camera. Its range was also increased due to additional internal fuel stores added. However, only five of the type were built into 1972 and these eventually reverted back to trainer form from 1983 on. Also in 1972 appeared the Iskra BR200 single-seat attack/reconnaissance prototype though this design was not adopted for serial production.
The Iskra-bis D retained a two-seat layout with an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) value and appeared in 1973. A stock of fifty were sent to the Indian Air Force. Iskra-bis DF was a two-seat trainer/reconnaissance model and appeared in 1974 - it was accordingly fitted with camera equipment but made fully combat-capable. The Iskra R became a twin-seat naval reconnaissance model that carried RDS-81 radar and six airframes were converted from existing stock aircraft with operational service beginning in 1991. In 1998, the Iskra MR was offered with a modernized cockpit for compatibility with United Nations operations. The TS-11F evolved to become a proposed trainer modified to fulfill F-16 C/D model Block 52+ training. Post-military service versions were stripped of their military value for sale on the civilian market.
The TS-11 series failed to sell to other Warsaw Pact members and left Poland as the sole operator. 424 were built into 1987 with 76 shipped to India through two batch deliveries (50 and 26). The TS-011 line was to be succeeded by the modern PZL "I-22" but several issues limited this program to just seventeen aircraft before cancellation of the project in full. The TS-11 was operated under the Polish Navy for a time as well.
Today the Polish Air Force maintains a small stock of active TS-11 aircraft.
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