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Thursday, October 8, 2009

MiG-29 Fulcrum

MiG-29
German Air Force MiG-29
Role Air-superiority fighter, multirole fighter
National origin Soviet Union
Russia
Manufacturer Mikoyan
First flight 6 October 1977
Introduced August 1983
Status Active service
Primary users Russian Air Force
Ukrainian Air Force
Indian Air Force
Algerian Air Force
Produced 1982–present
Number built 1,600+[1]
Unit cost US$11 million[2]
Variants Mikoyan MiG-29M
Mikoyan MiG-29K
Mikoyan MiG-35
Mikoyan MiG-29SMT

Specifications

3-view drawing of MiG-29

Data from MiG specifications[90]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 17.37 m (57 ft)
  • Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 4.73 m (15 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 38 m² (409 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 16,800 kg (37,000 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 21,000 kg (46,300 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofans, 8,300 kgf (81.4 kN, 18,300 lbf) each

Performance

Armament

Avionics

  • Phazotron N019, N010 radars

    Design

    [edit] Features

    MiG-29UB of Swifts aerobatic team

    Because it was developed from the same basic parameters laid out by TsAGI for the original PFI, the MiG-29 is aerodynamically broadly similar to the Sukhoi Su-27, but with some notable differences. It is built largely out of aluminium with some composite materials. It has a mid-mounted swept wing with blended leading-edge root extensions (LERXs) swept at around 40°. There are swept tailplanes and two vertical fins, mounted on booms outboard of the engines. Automatic slats are mounted on the leading edges of the wings; they are four-segment on early models and five-segment on some later variants. On the trailing edge, there are maneuvering flaps and wingtip ailerons. At the time of its deployment, it was the first Soviet and perhaps world's first jet fighter in service capable of executing the Pugachev Cobra maneuver.

    The MiG-29 has hydraulic controls and a SAU-451 three-axis autopilot but, unlike the Su-27, no fly-by-wire control system. Nonetheless, it is very agile, with excellent instantaneous and sustained turn performance, high alpha capability, and a general resistance to spins. The airframe is stressed for 9-g (88 m/s²) maneuvers. The controls have "soft" limiters to prevent the pilot from exceeding the g and alpha limits, but these can be disabled manually. In joint USAF-Luftwaffe exercises, the MiG-29 that the Luftwaffe fielded defeated the F-16 in close combat almost every time using its highly practical IRST sensor and helmet mounted display, together with the Vympel R-73 (NATO: AA-11 'Archer') missile

    [edit] Powerplant

    Main article: Klimov RD-33
    Klimov RD-33 turbofan engine

    The MiG-29 has two widely spaced Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, each rated at 50.0 kN (11,240 lb) dry and 81.3 kN (18,277 lb) in afterburner. The space between the engines generates lift, thereby reducing effective wing loading, to improve maneuverability. The engines are fed through wedge-type intakes fitted under the LERXs, which have variable ramps to allow high-Mach speeds. As an adaptation to rough-field operations, the main air inlet can be closed completely and alter using the auxiliary air inlet on the upper fuselage for takeoff, landing and low-altitude flying, preventing ingestion of ground debris (foreign object damage [FOD]). Thereby the engines receive air through louvers on the LERXs which open automatically when intakes are closed. However the latest variant of the family, the MiG-35, eliminated these dorsal louvers, and adopted the mesh screens design in the main intakes, similar to those fitted to the Su-27.[7]

    [edit] Range and fuel system

    MiG-29 with drop tanks receiving fuel transferred from an Il-76 tanker

    The internal fuel capacity of the original MiG-29B is only 4,365 liters distributed between six fuel tanks, four in the fuselage and one in each wing. As a result, the aircraft has a very limited range, in line with the original Soviet requirements for a point-defense fighter. For longer flights, this can be supplemented by a 1,500 liter (330 Imp gal, 395 USgal) centerline drop tank and, on later production batches, two 1,150 liter (253 Imp gal, 300 USgal) underwing drop tanks. In addition, a small number have been fitted with port-side inflight refueling probes, allowing much longer flight times by using a probe-and-drogue system. Some MiG-29B airframes have been upgraded to the "Fatback" configuration (MiG-29 9-13), which adds a dorsal-mounted internal fuel tank. Advanced variants, such as the MiG-35, can be fitted with a conformal fuel tank on the dorsal spine, although none of them have yet entered service.

    [edit] Cockpit

    MiG-29 cockpit, 1995

    The cockpit features a conventional centre stick and left hand throttle controls. The pilot sits in a Zvezda K-36DM zero-zero ejection seat which has had impressive performance in emergency escapes.

    The cockpit has conventional dials, with a head-up display (HUD) and a Shchel-3UM helmet mounted display, but no HOTAS ("hands-on-throttle-and-stick") capability. Emphasis seems to have been placed on making the cockpit similar to the earlier MiG-23 and other Soviet aircraft for ease of conversion, rather than on ergonomics. Nonetheless, the MiG-29 does have substantially better visibility than most previous Russian jet fighters, thanks to a high-mounted bubble canopy. Upgraded models introduce "glass cockpits" with modern liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and true HOTAS.

    [edit] Sensors

    The baseline MiG-29B has a Phazotron RLPK-29 (Radiolokatsyonnui Pritselnui Kompleks) radar Fire control system (FCS) which includes the N019 (Sapfir 29; NATO: 'Slot Back') look-down/shoot-down coherent pulse-Doppler radar and the Ts100.02-02 digital computer. Tracking range against a fighter-sized target was only about 70 km (38 nmi) in the frontal aspect and 35 km (19 nmi) in the rear aspect. Range against bomber-sized targets was roughly double. Ten targets could be displayed in search mode, but the radar had to lock onto a single target for semi-active homing (SARH). The signal processor had trouble with ground clutter, reducing ranges in the look-down mode.[citation needed] The radar was also susceptible to jamming.[citation needed] These problems meant the MiG-29 was not able to reliably utilize the new Vympel R-27R (NATO: AA-10 "Alamo") long-range SARH missile at its maximum ranges.

    MiG-29 nose showing radome and IRST

    These performance deficiencies stemmed largely from the fact the N019 radar was not, in fact, a new design. Instead, the system was a further development of the architecture already used in Phazotron's Sapfir-23ML system, then in use on the MiG-23ML. During the initial MiG-29 design specification period in the mid-1970s, Phazotron NIIR was tasked with producing a modern radar for the MiG-29. To speed development, Phazotron based its new design on the work undertaken by NPO Istok on the experimental "Soyuz" radar program. Accordingly, the N019 was originally intended to have a flat planar array antenna and full digital signal processing, giving a detection and tracking range of at least 100 km against a fighter-sized target. Given the state of Soviet avionics technology at the time, it was an ambitious goal. Testing and prototypes soon revealed this could not be attained in the required timeframe, at least not in a radar that would fit in the MiG-29's nose. Rather than design a completely new, albeit more modest radar, Phazotron reverted to a version of the twist cassegrain antenna used successfully on the Sapfir-23ML to save time and cost. This system used the same analog signal processors as their earlier designs, coupled with a NII Argon-designed Ts100 digital computer. While this decision provided a working radar system for the new fighter, it inherited all of the weak points of the earlier design. This reliance on 1960s-era technology continues to plague the MiG-29's ability to detect and track airborne targets at ranges available with the R-27 and R-77 missiles, although new designs like the digital N010 Zhuk-M address the serious signal processing shortcomings inherent in the analog design. Most MiG-29 continue to use the analog N019 or N019M radar, although VVS has indicated its desire to upgrade all existing MiG-29s to a fully digital system.

    MiG-29UB on display, showing gunport

    The N019 was further compromised by Phazotron designer Adolf Tolkachev’s betrayal of the radar to the CIA, for which he was executed in 1986. In response to all of these problems, the Soviets hastily developed a modified N019M Topaz radar for the upgraded MiG-29S aircraft. However, VVS was reportedly still not satisfied with the performance of the system and demanded another upgrade. The latest upgraded aircraft offer the N010 Zhuk-M), which has a planar array antenna rather than a dish, improving range, and a much superior processing ability, with multiple target engagement capability and compatibility with the Vympel R-77 (or RVV-AE) (NATO: AA-12 'Adder'). A useful feature the MiG-29 shares with the Su-27 is the S-31E2 KOLS, a combined laser rangefinder and IRST in an 'eyeball' mount forward of the cockpit canopy. This can be slaved to the radar or used independently, and provides exceptional gun-laying accuracy.

    [edit] Armament

    A Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 with armaments laid out

    Armament for the MiG-29 includes a single GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon in the port wing root. This originally had a 150-round magazine, which was reduced to 100 rounds in later variants. Original production MiG-29B aircraft cannot fire the cannon when carrying a centerline fuel tank as it blocks the shell ejection port. This issue was corrected in the MiG-29S and later versions. Three pylons are provided under each wing (four in some variants), for a total of six (or eight). The inboard pylons can carry either a 1,150 liter (300 US gallon) fuel tank, one Vympel R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") medium-range air-to-air missile, or unguided bombs or rockets. Some Soviet aircraft could carry a single nuclear bomb on the port inboard station. The outer pylons usually carry R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") dogfight missiles, although some users still retain the older R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid"). A single 1,500 liter (400 US gallon) tank can be fitted to the centerline, between the engines, for ferry flights, but this position is not used for combat stores. The original MiG-29B can carry general-purpose bombs and unguided rocket pods, but not precision-guided munitions. Upgraded models have provision for laser-guided and electro-optical bombs, as well as air-to-surface missiles.

    Operators

    Main article: List of Mikoyan MiG-29 operators
    Operators of the MiG-29 in dark blue (former operators in light blue)
    Ex-Czechoslovakian MiG-29 of the Polish Air Force
    Hungarian Air Force MiG-29A
    Cuban MiG-29UB
    Peruvian Air Force MiG-29 on display

    [edit] Current

  • Algeria - 51 MiG-29s in service as of Nov. 2008.[74]
  • Peru - 19 in service as of Nov. 2008.[74]
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh - 14 MiG-29SE and 2 MiG-29UB in service.[75][76]
  • Belarus
  • Bulgaria - 16 MiG-29S and 4 MiG-29UB, modernized in 2009
  • Cuba
  • Eritrea
  • Hungary - to be phased out in 2010.
  • India - Indian Air Force has 69 MiG-29s in service and the Indian Naval Air Arm has 12 MiG-29Ks on order as of Nov. 2008.[74]
  • Israel - on lease from an unknown country, used for aggressor training.[77][78]
  • Iran
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan - Not airborne. Kept in bunker in operational condition.
  • Malaysia - To be retired[79]
  • Lebanon - 10 to be delivered.
  • Myanmar - Ordered next 15 in 2009
  • North Korea - 40 in service as of Nov. 2008.[74] 12 initially bought from Belarus in 1995 and a follow up order of 18 MiG-29SE plus 3 new from Russia in 1996. Two were lost in accidents leaving 31 MiG-29 total, only 19 MiG-29 are in active service while the remaining 12 are in reserve flying occasionally to keep it in circulation with the active fleet.
  • Poland - 36 in service
  • Russia - 406 in service as of Nov. 2008.[74] An additional 100 MiG-29S (SE for the export designation) and another 34 MiG-29SMT are new from an order rejected from Algeria.
  • Serbia - 4 in service all modernized to Mig-29SM level
  • Slovakia - 21 MiG-29s, 12 in active service
  • Sudan - 12 in active service[80][81][82]
  • Syria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine - 220 in use as of Nov. 2008.[74]
  • United States - Evaluation only.
  • Uzbekistan
  • Yemen

[edit] Former

  • Czechoslovakia/ Czech Republic - All sold to Poland
  • East Germany/ Germany - 24 received: 1 crashed, 1 on display, 22 sold to Poland
  • Iraq
  • Moldova - Not operational, in storage.
  • Romania
  • Soviet Union
  • Yugoslavia/ FR Yugoslavia

    In service with Yugoslavia and Serbia

    Two Yugoslav MiG-29s at Batajnica, shortly after delivery in 1987.

    The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the first European country after the Soviet Union to operate MiG-29. The SFR Yugoslav Air Force purchased a total of 14 MiG-29s and two MiG-29UBs from the USSR, in 1987. MiG-29s were taken into service with the 127 Lovacka Avijacijska Eskadrila (127. LAE, Fighter Aviation Squadron), known as Vitezovi (Knights), part of the 204. Lovacki Avijacijski Puk (204. LAP, Fighter Aviation Regiment) based at Batajnica Air Base, north of Belgrade, in what is today the Republic of Serbia. The aircraft was designated L-18 (L for Lovac, fighter), or NL-18 ('Nastavni Lovac, trainer fighter) for the "UB" version.

    Serial numbers of MiG-29 fighters in YuAF:

  • MiG-29: 18101-18114
  • MiG-29UB: 18301-18302

A total of 16 aircraft remained, since SFR Yugoslavia was in process of developing its own supersonic fighter aircraft, designated Novi Avion. The Yugoslav MiG-29s saw little combat during the war in former Yugoslavia, and were used primarily for ground attacks. Several Antonov An-2 cargo aircraft used by Croatia were destroyed on the ground in Čepin airfield near Osijek, Croatia in 1991 by a MiG-29. Several MiG-21 aircraft were brought down by Croatian forces, but no MiG-29s were lost during the fighting in 1991-97.[35]

[edit] NATO intervention in FR Yugoslavia

The MiG-29s continued their service in the subsequent Federal Republic of Yugoslav Air Force and eventually in Serbian Air Force. During the long arms embargo placed upon the country, the condition of the MiGs worsened. Before the Operation Allied Force started in 1999, Yugoslav MiGs were over 10 years old, and deprived of spare parts. Some were totally "stripped" for their spare parts, to get other aircraft in operational condition. In March 1999, Yugoslav Air Force Command had 11 MiG-29s considered operational.

A total of 6 MiG-29s were shot down, of which 4 MiG-29s were shot down by USAF F-15C, 1 by USAF F-16CJ or friendly fire SAM, and one by Dutch F-16AM.[36] Others were destroyed on the ground and, one crash landed and was later destroyed, as it was placed as a decoy.[37]

[edit] After the war

Serbian Air Force MiG-29 at Batajnica Air Base

The unit continued flying its remaining five MiG-29s (at a very low rate) after the war, even if it had to replace the losses by MiG-21s evacuated from Pristina after the war. In spring 2004, however, news appeared that what was then the Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro ceased MiG-29 operations, because the aircraft could not be maintained.[35] In 2007, all five MiG-29 were sent to Russia to be refurbished, upgraded and put them back to service.

Currently, MiG-29s have resumed their service in the Serbian Air Force. In the 101st squadron, part of the 204th Air Base. The first MiG-29 became operational on February 2008, a second MiG-29 by March of that year, and a third by May. Another two became operational by the summer of 2008. The first public appearance of the overhauled MiG's was on 15 February, the Statehood Day. The aircraft was flown by Col Nebojša Đukanović, Chief of the Air Force and the Air Defense HQ.[38] The second MiG-29 that is back in service is used for the training of MiG-29 pilots.[39] Aircraft 18101, flown again by Gen Nebojša Đukanović appeared for first time with new low-visible camo and markings. The third and fourth overhauled aircraft, together with the first two, flew over Belgrade on 12 September 2008. One MiG-29 crashed near Batajnica on 7 July 2009, killing the pilot and one soldier on ground. [40]

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