Contractor/s:
RAC MIG
Description:
The Mig-29, Fulcrum NATO-codename, is a single-seat, highly maneuverable fighter aircraft designed to engage airborne targets such as aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles. It features a limited air-to-surface/ ground strike capability. The Mig-29 is the Soviet counterpart to US F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft. More than 1,300 Mig-29s have been produced for 27 countries worldwide.
The Mig-29 aircraft features an integrated fire control system comprising the aircraft radar, and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) device, and a helmet-mounted sight. It can accommodate medium range R-27 and short range R-73 air-to-air missiles, bombs, and rockets as well as a built-in 30mm GSh-301 gun. The Mig-29 is able to outperform any existing western aircraft in a short range engagement employing the combination of R-73 missile, helmet-mounted sight and IRST.
The Mig-29 Fulcrum avionics are not as sophisticated as its NATO counterparts aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. In the event of an air-to-air engagement at medium range NATO-aircraft shall have advantage over the Soviet Mig-29. However in a dogfight the Mig-29 will outperform NATO-aircraft easily. In the ground strike role the Mig-29 doesn't match NATO-aircraft capabilities.
The Mig-29M is an improved version of the proven Mig-29 Fulcrum single-seat fighter aircraft. It features longer range, in-flight refueling system, state-of-the-art equipment, redundant fly-by-ware system for improved safety and reliability, and higher weapon load. The cockpit is equipped with Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and realizes the HOTAS concept. The integrated fire control system comprises an IRST, the helmet-mounted sight, and the Zhuk-ME advanced radar system.
The Mig-29M multi-role aircraft is compatible with R-73, R-77 and R-27 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29, Kh-31 and Kh-35 air-to-surface missiles, and KAB-500 laser and TV-guided bombs as well as dumb weapons. The M model retains the built-in 30mm GSh-301 gun of previous models. The Zhuk-ME radar has a maximum detection range for airborne threats of 120 km and tracks up to 10 targets engaging 4 of them simultaneously. In the surface search mode, the Zhuk-ME radar features a maximum detection range of 250 km against surface ships and 150 km against air defense radar systems.
RAC MIG has proposed the Mig-29M single-seat and the Mig-29M2 twin-seat aircraft for the Indian Air Force's requirement for 126 fighters. Mig-29M/M2 could be assembled locally by HAL if the Indian government finally selects this aircraft. In early 2005, the Bush administration paved the way for the sale of the F-16 aircraft to Pakistan killing any chance of conclude such a deal with India therefore increasing the stakes for the Mig-29M fighter.
In August 2005 during the MAKS Air Show the Mig-29M fighter aircraft was demonstrated at the flying display powered by RD-33 OVT thrust vectoring control engines. The RD-33 OVT engines provide super maneuverability capability to the Mig-29M aircraft enhancing its performance in air-to-air engagements and overall flight skills. Klimov and Mig agreed to provide this engine as standard equipment in series production Mig-29M/M2.
In August 2005 Svezda company announced that the BKDU-130 oxygen generator system development was completed on the Mig-29M aircraft. The new oxygen generator system was meant to remove the oxygen bottles from Russian manufactured fighter aircraft such as the Mig-29M. Mig-29K, Mig-29KUB, Mig-AT, and Yak-130. Moreover, Svezda stated that there was an agreement between the Russian Air Force and the design bureaus Mig, Yakovlev and Sukhoi on this issue.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 1
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 30 mm
Dimensions: Height 4.7 m, Length 17.3 m, Wingspan 11.4 m
Weights: Max Weight 22,400 kg (49,383 lb), Payload 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 38,800 lb (17,600 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 17,500 m (57,415 ft), Max Range 5,500 km (2,970 nm), Min Range 2,000 km (1,080 nm), Top Speed 830 mps (Mach 2.50)
Russia
Syria