01/31/2011. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The Iryda (Iridium) was designed at the Instytut Lotnictwa (Aviation Institute) by a team led by chief designer Dr. Eng. Alfred Baron. They were assisted by the Osrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego (Communications Equipment Research and Development Center) at Mielec, where the aircraft were built, and various other Polish aviation industry establishments.

The Iryda, originally known as the I-22, was designed to provide pilot, navigation, air combat, reconnaissance and ground attack training, with day/night and bad-weather capability. Four prototypes (c/n P01-01 to P01-04) were built, of which the first was used for static tests. Powered by two 2,425 lb (1,100 kg) st PZL Rzesz SO-3W22 non-afterburning turbojets, the first flew March 3, 1985 (crashed January 31, 1987).

These were followed by nine I-22 production aircraft (c/n 001-01 to 001-05, 002-01 to 002-04) and the first of these flew May 5, 1992. Three of these aircraft were developed into increased capacity versions:

C/n 001-01 was fitted with 3,307 lb (1,500 kg) st Instytut Lotnictwa K-15 turbojets, redesignated M-92 and registered SP-PWD, it flew on December 22, 1992. Fitted SAGEM Maestro avionics, the aircraft was redesignated M-93S and first flew on May 22, 1994. Fitted with leading edge wing slats, Fowler flaps, redesigned airbrakes and taller fin, it first flew December 21, 1996, in partial M-96 configuration.

C/n 001-02 was fitted with 3,307 lb (1,500 kg) st Rolls-Royce Viper 545 turbojets, redesignated M-93V and registered SP-PWE, it flew on April 25, 1994.

C/n 002-04 was also fitted with the K-15 turbojets, Martin-Baker seats, redesigned airbrakes, and modified avionics, systems and equipment. Redesignated M-93K and registered SP-PWF, it flew on July 6, 1994, and was followed by six M-93K production aircraft (c/n 003-1 to 003-06). The first was delivered in May 1995, as was SP-PWF, serialed 0204. The latter aircraft was subsequently converted to the full M-96 configuration, identical to c/n 001-01, but completed with Sextant Topflight avionics. Registered SP-PWG it was first flown on August 16, 1997.

Construction of a batch of six M-96 aircraft was started, but never completed. They were stored, as were at least nine of the nineteen I-22/M93s produced."