Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-29

MiG-29 Photo Gallery

Introducing the Fulcrum: Fulcrum has been the most successful as well as one of the most impressive Russian fighter till date. It was widely regarded by the western pilots as the most agile fighter aircraft of its time. Specifically designed for the air superiority role, it can carry six Air to Air missiles on its 6 hard-points. 4 short range R-60 or the R-73 and 2 medium range R-27(SARH or Infra-red) or R-77(ARH). It is equipped with the N-019 Radar, which has an estimated search and track range of 51 miles. Although later versions have been retrofitted with newer variants. (See the Over view of Fulcrum for more details, below.)

'Image' of the MiG-29 Fulcrum: Fulcrum is regarded as a really proud possession by any AF in the world. It is operated by more than 20 air forces of the world even today. It was the first Soviet aircraft after the MiG-15 and the MiG-21, that could be equated with a western aircraft. F-16 Fighting Falcon is widely regarded as its equivalent western counterpart. As far as combat effectiveness of this aircraft is concerned, it hasn't demonstrated itself as a successful air superiority aircraft. Several MiG-29s have been shot down by US aircraft, but none of the US aircraft have been killed by it (recorded officially). F-16 has shot down more than 6(?) or 8(?) Fulcrums (Kills that have been officially recorded). This topic becomes a little controversial, as the Fulcrums have never been flown by pilots of same equivalence. Although there is one recorded kill by a MiG-29 and that is of his very own wing-man, which was identified as a MiG-23. MiG-29s of the Indian Air Force flew against the Pakistani F-16s during the Kargil War, where it proved successful but even there it saw limited combat. MiG-29 and Mirages made several successful weapon lock-on on the F-16s, and as it was a limited war, no kills were made or attempted.

Now this would be regarded as pure fantasy by a few, but the Yugoslavians and the Russians claim that it was a Yugoslav MiG-29 Fulcrum that shot the lumbering F-117A of the USAF.

Description of the Aircraft : MiG-29B Fulcrum-A; Fitted with the N-019 radar that has a look-down/shoot-down capability and can display ten targets in search and lock-on to one of the highest priority assigned by the computer. Has extended dorsal fins containing IRCM flare dispensers, extended chord rudders and a hydra-mechanical flight control system.
MiG-29S Fulcrum-C; Fitted with NO-019M radar capable of tracking ten targets with two simultaneous engagements, a new weapon system, improved flight control system and additional fuel capacity.
MiG-29UB Fulcrum-B; A dual-seat trainer without radar and with continuous canopy. Has imbedded training system and a functioning IRST/helmet sighting system. A weapons capability under wing stores pylons is retained, but no chaff or flares. The airframe is 100mm longer with the instructor's cockpit taking up a small amount of the number one tank capacity. Has a periscope for the rear occupant.

Design Features: The MiG-29 has a fire control and mission computers link radar with a laser rangefinder and IRST sensor in conjunction with helmet mounted laser target designator (HMLTDS). Targets can be approached and engaged without emission of detectable radar or radio signals. The MiG-29 is capable of a 23º per sec stabilized turn rate.

Accommodation: Pilot seated on a 10º inclined K-36DM/2-06 zero/zero ejection seat under rearward hinged transparent blister canopy in high seat cockpit. Sharply inclined one piece covered windscreen. Three internal mirrors provide the rearward view. The K-36M ejection seat has been one of the most successful ejection seats developed. You can make that out by viewing the Paris and Farnborough air show crashes.

Avionics: Has a coherent, multimode pulse Doppler look-down/shoot-down engagement radar which has search and tracking capabilities. Has a HUD (head-up display) and helmet mounted target designation system, which is tied in with a laser range finder and an infra-red search & track. The IRST ball is mounted on a three-axis gimbaled turret protruding above the nose in front of the cockpit.

The radar is supported by an optical-electronic navigation-attack system, which comprises a sighting system, a navigation system, a digital computer, a weapons control system, and a data presentation system with a HUD. The helmet mounted sight & target designator is available for use with R-60MK and R-73RDM2 close-combat missiles.

The navigation system includes a radio compass, a radar altimeter, a marker beacon receiver, and a short-range navigation and instrument landing system. The ground-air & air-ground data link for target indication from land-based radars, is joined by a communications radio. The aircraft also has an IFF transponder & interrogator.

Engine: Two Klimov RD-33 turbofans each rated at 18,300 lbs. of maximum thrust.

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.35

Service Ceiling: 18,500 metres; 60,700 feet

Range: 1500 kms; 932 miles - without in-flight refuelling.
..............2495 kms; 1550 miles - with one in-flight refuelling.

G Limit: 9.5+

Armament: Fitted with a 30mm GSh-30 gun with 170 rounds capacity and 150 rounds loaded. The gun has a maximum effective range of 1200 - 1800 meters against air targets and 200 - 800 meters against ground targets. It has a maximum firing rate of 25 - 30 rounds per second. Can carry air-to-air missiles like the R-60MK, R-27RE/TE, R-73RDM2 and R-77RVV-AE.

Maximum External Stores Load: 3000 kg; 6614 lbs.

Self Defence: The electronic warfare suite is centered around the Sirena-3 Radar Warning Receivers, two ECM transponders in the wing strake and chaff/flare dispensers built into the upper surfaces of the main wing. Each dispenser contains flares or chaff cartridges.
 
 Primary Source: www.Bharat-Rakshak.com (Indian Armed Forces)

Secondary Source: www.RedStar.way.to (The Russian Air Force/Aviation Page)

Overview: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum
 

The MiG-29 is produced by the Moscow Aircraft Production Organisation MiG (MAPO MiG) based in Moscow. The MiG-29K is the carrier based fighter used by the Russian Naval Air Force. The MiG-29,-30 and -33 are known by the NATO code name Fulcrum.

The MISSION:

To destroy hostile air targets within radar coverage limits and also to destroy ground targets using unguided weapons in visual flight conditions. Fixed wing profile with large wing leading edge root extensions gives good manoeuvrability and control at subsonic speed including manoeuvres at high angles of attack. The maximum operational g-loading is 9g.
 
 

Equipments:

The aircraft is equipped with an information and fire control radar system comprising: an airborne radar N-019 developed by Phazotron Research and Production Company, Moscow; an optical locator comprising an infra-red search and track sensor, a laser rangefinder and a helmet mounted target designator.

For longer range air combat the MiG-29 uses radar guidance for the R-27 missile.

ARSENAL:

The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with seven external hardpoints for air-to-air missiles, air bombs and unguided rockets. The aircraft can carry:

up to two air-to-air medium range missiles, R-27
a maximum of six air-to-air short range missiles R-73 and R-60
up to four pods of unguided rockets, S-5,S-8,S-24
air bombs weighing up to 3,000 kg
a 30 mm built-in aircraft gun with 150 rounds of ammunition.

The R-73 missile is also supplied by Vympel. It is an all-aspect short range air-to-air missile known by the NATO codename AA-11 Archer. The missile is used for close combat engagement of high maneuverability hostile aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. The missile has cooled infra-red homing. The missile can intercept targets at altitudes between 0.02 and 20 kilometers, target g-load to 12g, and with target speeds to 2,500 km per hour.

Another short range air-to-air missile carried on the MiG-29 is the Vympel R-60. The missile's relatively small launch weight, 43 kg, and aerodynamic configuration give the missile a capability to engage targets maneuvering at an acceleration up to 12g. The R-60M is a modernized version of the R-60 with an expanded range of target designation angles to +/- 20 degrees, a heavier warhead, and an upgraded infrared homing head with photo detector cooling. Both the R-60 and R-60M have the NATO reporting name Aphid and code number AA-8.

The MiG-29 can be armed with up to four pods of unguided rockets, types S-5,S-8,S-24 and air bombs weighing up to 3,000 kg. The unguided rockets are supplied by the Applied Physics Institute Joint Stock Company in Novosibirsk, Russia and air bombs are supplied by the Bazalt State Research and Production Enterprise in Moscow.

POWER PLANTS:

The MiG-29 is equipped with two RD-33 turbofan engines. The MiG-29 is the world's first aircraft fitted with dual mode air intakes. During flight the open air intakes feed air to the engines. While moving on the ground the air intakes are closed and air is fed through the louvres on the upper surface of the wing root to prevent ingestion of foreign objects from the runway. This is particularly important when operating from poorly prepared airfields. The MiG-29 is the world's first series front line fighter to be equipped with turbofan engines, providing a thrust to weight ratio higher than unity for high manoeuvrability.

The engines provide a maximum speed of 2,400 km/hour at altitude and 1,500 km/hour near the ground and the service ceiling is 18,000 metres. The maximum range at altitude is 1,500 km and 700 km near the ground.

UPGRADE PROGRAMMES

The Russian Air Force has begun an upgrade programme for 150 of its MiG-29 fighters, which will be designated MiG-29SMT. The upgrade comprises: increased range and payload, new glass cockpit, new avionics, improved radar and an in-flight refuelling probe.

DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) are to upgrade 22 MiG-29 aircraft of the Polish Air Force. Modifications are needed to adapt the aircraft to NATO standards, prior to Poland's entry into NATO. DASA has performed similar modifications to the MiG-29's of the former East German Air Force. DASA are joining with MAPO MiG to offer modernisation packages for the MiG-29.

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