Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29
MiG-29 of the German Air Force over the Gulf of Mexico
Type:	Multipurpose fighter
Design country:	Soviet Union
Manufacturer:	Mikoyan-Gurewitsch / RSK "MiG"
First flight:	October 6, 1977
Commissioning:	June 1983
Production time:	Since 1982 (with interruptions) in series production
Number of pieces:	> 1600

The Mikojan-Gurewitsch MiG-29 ( Russian Микоян-Гуревич МиГ-29 , NATO code name : Fulcrum ( German  the pivot of a lever )) is a twin- engine fighter aircraft that was developed in the Soviet Union .

Historical development

At the time of the Cold War , in 1972 the Soviet military leadership began to think about their own aircraft models, which should be on a par with the American new developments F-15 and F-16 . During this process, the Sukhoi and MiG designs were selected for the prototype phase. The MiG-29 was planned as an aircraft for the front flight forces , which should be operational under field conditions on unpaved take-off sites. Its job was to provide direct support to the armed forces. This also included the direct defense of airfields or cities. Furthermore, the fight against cruise missiles was at least provided for.

On October 6, 1977 the first prototype of the MiG-29 flew; MiG chief test pilot Alexander Fedotow was at the control stick .

More prototypes and successful tests soon followed. However, some problems arose that made changes necessary. On the one hand, the nose landing gear had to be moved a little further back, as the tests showed that foreign objects thrown up during take-off or landing could break through the protective flaps of the air inlets and destroy the engines. Furthermore, small stabilizing fins were installed below the vertical stabilizers in order to improve directional stability and spin behavior. After optimizing the rudder, these fins could be dispensed with again from 1984. One final change concerned the armament. The twin barrel cannon Grjasew-Schipunow GSch-30-2 was replaced by the single- barreled GSch-301 , which resulted in a mass saving of 50 percent. In total, all 14 prototypes flew over 2500 hours, with two machines being lost due to engine failures.

At the end of 2019, around 790 units were still in use.

construction

Three-sided tear

Cockpit of a MiG-29A

A large number of variants of this manoeuvrable aircraft, which is superior to many western combat aircraft in this respect - the MiG-29 can stand briefly on its own thrust jet (so-called cobra maneuver ) - was built and tested. The wing construction with wide wing root brings a large part of the lift through the fuselage, which improves the slow flight characteristics. Typical of the MiG-29 are the large flaps that cover the air intake ducts of the engines on the ground in order to prevent foreign objects from entering. When starting, the engines suck in air through lamellar ducts on the top of the fuselage. The air brake and a braking parachute are located at the rear.

The machine has a 16- bit - onboard computer , a front windscreen projector ( HUD ) plus a monitor, an on-board fault detection (Aekran) and two sensor systems. With the radar air targets (range 70 km) can be recorded and with the infrared target system / laser range finder (range 7 km, laser class 3 in Germany) the infrared targets . Also noteworthy is a helmet sighting system that allows the pilot to aim at a target by moving his head. The missile homing heads then automatically receive the target parameters. This device should make them superior to the very agile F-16 in close air combat. The only confrontation so far between MiG-29 and F-16 during the Kosovo war in 1999 ended with the downing of the Serbian MiG by a Dutch F-16. There may have been another kill by a US F-16.

Although the MiG-29 is already 30 years old, the model is still being built. Series production was designed for high quantities from the start. The aircraft is in a constant modernization and diversification process. A variety of improved models have been built since the late 1970s. The MiG-33 is less of a successor than a version of the MiG-29 with improved combat performance. Other known variants are the MiG-29 SMT (single-seat multi - purpose combat aircraft ), MiG-29 UB (two-seat trainer) and MiG-29 K (suitable for use on aircraft carriers ). The MiG-29 K is used on the only aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy , the Admiral Kuznetsov and on the Indian carrier Vikramaditya . The latest variants are the MiG-29 M and its two-seat version, the MiG-29 M2 , in which the fire control, location and operating systems in particular have been improved. The MiG-29M is also known as a multi-purpose variant. In addition to the more powerful RD-33K engines, it has a quadruple redundant digital flight management system . A Fasotron N010 Doppler on-board radar and an OLS-M infrared / TV / laser system are also installed.

The latest version of the MiG-29 was shown outside of Russia for the first time at the 2006 International Aerospace Exhibition : The MiG-29M OWT has increased maneuverability with its three-dimensional thrust vector control . The exhaust jet of the two Klimow RD-33MKB engines can be deflected in all directions at an angle of up to 15 degrees. This novelty was presented to the public after the first flight of the prototype in August 2003 on the occasion of the Moscow Aerosalon MAKS 2005.

When it was commissioned, the MiG-29 was at a disadvantage in terms of avionics compared to comparable aircraft. This becomes especially among B eyond- V isual- R is tactics (Engl. For out of sight ) noticeable. Since the American jets (F-15 etc.) already had an automatic search system for BVR at the time the MiG-29 was put into service, the MiG was inferior to them in long-range combat. In contrast, it was and still is superior to some fighter jets in dogfight . MiG-29 pilots who compete against machines that are superior in long-range combat try to lure their opponents into dogfight in order to control the maneuverability of their own aircraft in conjunction with the Wympel R-73 - air-to-air missile that hits the target with a helmet visor can be directed to exploit. Some of the export variants use French or Japanese avionics.

Versions

MiG-29 "Fulcrum-A" of the Romanian Air Force

Polish MiG-29A Fulcrum-A

MiG-29 (product 9-11 / "RAM-L")

Prototype; First flight on October 6, 1977.

MiG-29 (Product 9-12) "Fulcrum-A"

First production version; Commissioned in 1983. NATO code name "Fulcrum-A".

MiG-29B-12 (product 9-12A or 9-12B) "Fulcrum-A"

Simplified export versions for Warsaw Pact states (9-12A) or other states (9-12B). Without a nuclear weapon drop system and with simplified radar, ECM and IFF . NATO code name "Fulcrum-A".

MiG-29UB-12 (Product 9-51) "Fulcrum-B"

Two-seat training aircraft. Only with infrared sensor and without radar. First flight on April 29, 1981. NATO code name "Fulcrum-B".

MiG-29S (Product 9-13) "Fulcrum-C"

The MiG-29S is similar in its external appearance to the older MiG-29B, but has a hump, a prominent bulge behind the cockpit. This is the reason for the code name "Fatback" and was originally thought by western experts to be an additional internal tank, but in reality it is largely based on the new ECM system L-203BE Gardenia-1. The flight control system was improved by four new computers, which improved flight stability and increased the possible angle of attack by 2 °.

The MiG-29S can carry a total of three 1150-liter drop tanks - one under each wing, one under the fuselage. For this, the GSch-30-1 cannon was modified to enable use with the tank installed. The external load stations of the inner lower wings have also been improved in order to be able to carry two payloads of up to 4000 kg at the same time. The improvements also make it possible to use new air-to-air missiles such as the R-27E (AA-10 "Alamo") and R-77 (AA-12 "Adder"). The maximum take-off mass increased to 20,000 kg.

Initially, the new avionics of the MiG-29S only contained the new IRST vision system with a built-in training system for IR and radar target simulation. The final MiG-29S also included the Fasotron N019M radar and an improved integrated self-test system (especially for the radar) to reduce dependence on ground systems. A modified software allows the MiG-29S to pursue up to ten targets at the same time and fight two with R-77 missiles. The MiG-29S also has limited ground attack capabilities with unguided ammunition, which is a step towards the multi-role MiG-29SM attack aircraft. Due to the weight of the new avionics and the expanded fuel capacity, the flight performance of the machine deteriorated somewhat. MiG MAPO calls the final version of the MiG-29S also MiG-29SD (product 9-13S).

Only 48 new MiG-29S were built before production was stopped in favor of newer versions. The first flight took place on May 4, 1984. The version's NATO code name is "Fulcrum-C".

MiG-29SM (Product 9-13M) "Fulcrum-C"

Advanced variant of the MiG-29S with the ability to carry guided air- to- surface missiles and TV and laser-guided bombs . NATO code name is also "Fulcrum-C".

MiG-29K (Product 9-31) "Fulcrum-D"

Navy version of the MiG-29. The letter "K" stood for "Korabelnowo basirowanija" (carrier-based). The aircraft was equipped with foldable wings, a catch hook instead of the braking parachute, enlarged double-slit landing flaps and reinforced landing gear. Trials began in Zhukovsky in 1988 and Toqtar Äubäkirow carried out the first deck landing on the Admiral Kuznetsov in November 1989 . Originally intended for aircraft carriers of the Admiral Kuznetsov class , the planned series production was not started in 1992 because the military doctrine had changed in the meantime and money was no longer available. The manufacturer reactivated the program in 1999 and improved the version again, which is now called Product 9.41 . On January 20, 2004, the Indian Navy ordered twelve single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB, which were delivered until 2012. The modifications necessary for the Indian Navy (today standard for all current versions) included the Schuk-M1E radar from Fasotron, which can fight four targets simultaneously with RWW-AE guided weapons, two RD-33MK engines with 88.3 kN thrust , a weapon load increased to up to 5500 kg at 13 external load stations, additional fuel tanks (which increased the total fuel capacity by 50% to 5200 kg compared to the first version), wings with LERX and the improved digital four-channel fly-by-wire flight control system KSU -9.41. A Mil-Std 1553B data bus is used to network the avionics. Current series versions of the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB also receive the large cockpit canopy of the two-seater versions. In the single-seat version, an additional fuel tank is installed instead of the second K-36D-3.5 ejection seat. The usable drop tanks have been enlarged to two 1520-liter tanks under the wings and a central 2150-liter tank. The life of the cell has been increased to 4000 hours. With special radar-absorbing coatings, the MiG-29K offers a radar reflective surface that is four to five times smaller than an earlier MiG-29. The cockpit displays contain a wide-angle field of view display device and three (seven in the MiG-29KUB) 15 × 20 cm color displays, Israeli jammer canisters EL / M-8222 and French Sigma-95 GPS receivers, as well as a helmet- controlled Topsight-E - Target system. The deployable weapons correspond to the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT. The first flight of the 9-31 took place on June 23, 1988, the 9-41 for India on June 25, 2007; Series production began in 2008 and on September 28, 2009 a MiG-29K landed on an aircraft carrier for the first time. Deliveries to India began in December 2009. NATO code name is "Fulcrum-D".

MiG-29KU (product 9-62) With the start of testing of the first MiG-29K, planning for a training version was also tackled. In the project stage it became apparent that a navalized version of the MiG-29UB is not suitable for aircraft carriers. The view of the carrier deck on the landing approach would have been insufficient for the student pilot and especially for the flight instructor. Therefore, the MiG-29KU, derived from the MiG-29K, was designed, which should have another separate cockpit without radar and with a rigid air refueling probe (analogous to the MiG-25PU ) in front of the conventional cockpit . A mock-up of the front hull was created. With the end of the Soviet Union, the program ended without a prototype of the MiG-29KU being built.

MiG-29KUB with large double-slit landing flap and unfolded catch hook at the MAKS 2007

MiG-29KUB (Product 9-47) "Fulcrum-D"

Identical to the MiG-29K, but two-seater and fully combat-ready. The first MiG-29KUB developed for the Indian Navy had its maiden flight on January 22, 2007 at the Russian Zhukovsky aircraft test center. NATO code name is "Fulcrum-D".

MiG-29M / MiG-33 (Product 9-15) "Fulcrum-E"

Improved multipurpose version with revised cell. The mechanical flight control systems were replaced by a fly-by-wire system and the engines by the improved RD-33 3M. NATO code name is "Fulcrum-E".

MiG-29M2 / MiG-29MRCA "Fulcrum-F"

Two-seat version of the MiG-29M with a slightly reduced transfer range of 1800 km. RAC MiG presented this version at various aviation shows in China, India and Russia (MAKS 2005).

MiG-29UBM (Product 9-61) "Fulcrum-E"

Draft of a two-seat training version of the MiG-29M.

MiG-29SMT

MiG-29SMT (Product 9-17) "Fulcrum"

In 1998 the Russian Ministry of Defense decided on a modernization program for the MiG-29. A total of 150 to 180 MiG-29SMT and 120 MiG-29UBT are to be converted for the Russian Air Force. The modernization program began in September 1998 and the first 10 to 15 MiG-29SMTs were delivered that same year; in 1999, 20 to 30 more machines followed. As of 2000, around 40 MiG-29SMTs were shipped each year.

The modernization program for the first generation of MiG-29 (9-12 through 9-13) includes many improvements that were introduced on the MiG-29M. This includes additional fuel tanks in the enlarged back of the fuselage, which enables a maximum range of 2100 km with internal fuel. The cockpit now has a HOTAS design, two 152 × 203 mm color screens and two smaller monochrome LCDs . The improved Schuk-ME radar is similar in performance to that of the MiG-29M. The improved RD-33 engines now each deliver 81.4 kN afterburner thrust. The weapons load at the six underwing and one central external load station was increased to up to 4500 kg. The deployable weapons correspond to those of the MiG-29M. The improved aircraft is also prepared for non-Russian avionics and weapons. The first flight of the prototype took place on November 29, 1997.

MiG-29UBT (Product 9-51T / 9-52) "Fulcrum"

SMT version of the MiG-29UB. First flight on August 25, 1998. Used by Algeria and Yemen.

MiG-29UPG "Fulcrum-A"

Modernized version of the MiG-29A for the Indian Air Force based on the SMT version. Includes the PESA-Zhuk-ME radar, a new weapons control system and new RD-33 series 3 engines. The life of the airframe is increased to 3500 hours. The first aircraft completed its maiden flight on February 4, 2011. A total of 63 aircraft are to be brought up to this level.

MiG-29OWT

MiG-29OWT "Fulcrum-E"

This aircraft is one of six prototypes of the MiG-29M from before 1991. The version later received engines with thrust vector control and a fly-by-wire system. It served as a test aircraft for the engines equipped with thrust vector control and as a technology demonstrator at various aviation shows for future versions of the MiG-29M. The avionics are identical to that of the MiG-29M, only in the cockpit design there are additional switches for the thrust vector control. The two RD-133 engines have nozzles that can be swiveled in all directions. The first flight took place in August 2003.

German MiG-29GT Fulcrum-B

MiG-29G / MiG-29GT "Fulcrum-A / B"

This version was a MiG-29 / 29UB of the former GDR converted to NATO standard for the German Air Force. The conversion work was carried out by MiG Flugzeug Produkt Support GmbH (MAPS), a joint venture between MiG and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace , in 1993.

MiG-29AS / MiG-29UBS (MiG-29SD) "Fulcrum-A / B"

Version of the Slovak Air Force of the MiG-29 / -29UB with NATO compatibility. RAC MiG and western companies carried out the conversion from 2005. The aircraft received navigation and communication systems from Rockwell Collins, an IFF system from BAE Systems, a new glass cockpit with multifunction LCD displays and digital computers. However, the armament of the aircraft remained the same. 12 of the 21 existing MiG-29s were converted accordingly and delivered by February 2008.

MiG-29 sniper

Version improved by Israeli companies for the Romanian Air Force. The first flight took place on May 5, 2000, but the program was discontinued with the decommissioning of the Romanian MiG-29 due to the high maintenance costs in 2003. Romania then concentrated on the MiG-21 "Lancer" .

MiG-35 (product 9-61 or 9-67 as a two-seater) "Fulcrum-F"

An improved version of the MiG-29M / M2 and MiG-29K / KUB. The NATO code name is "Fulcrum-F".

User states

Current users

•  Algeria - As of January 2018, 23 MiG-29 versions C and UB were in service with the Air Force , after an agreed contract delivery of originally 28 MiG-29SMT, valued at US $ 1.3 billion, in 2006. should come. After the delivery of 15 aircraft, a complaint arose due to quality defects, for which Russia took back the aircraft that had already been delivered in April 2008.
•  Azerbaijan - As of January 2018, there were 16 MiG-29s and 2 MiG-29UBs in service.
•  Egypt - As of January 2019, 14 MiG-29M / M2 were in service with the Egyptian Air Force . A total of 46 aircraft have been ordered.
•  Bangladesh - As of January 2018, there were 6 MiG-29 and 2 MiG-29UB in service.
•  Bulgaria - As of January 2018, there were 12 MiG-29A and 4 MiG-29UB in service with the air force .
•  Eritrea - As of January 2018, 4 MiG-29, 2 MiG-29SE and 2 MiG-29UB were in the service of the armed forces after 4 MiG-29s from Eritrea (flown by Ukrainian mercenaries) were shot down by Su in the Eritrea-Ethiopia War -27 from Ethiopia (which in turn were piloted by Russian mercenaries).
•  India
  Air Force - As of January 2018, there were 43 MiG-29, 12 MiG-29UPG and 7 MiG-29UB in service. India was the first to buy the MiG-29, with over 50 aircraft when they were in the early stages of development in 1980.
  Navy - As of January 2018, there were 45 MiG-29K / UB in service, which were delivered from Russia to the value of 2.2 billion US dollars between 2004 and 2010 and are used on the flight deck cruiser Vikramaditya .
•  Iran - As of January 2018, 36 MiG-29s in versions A and UB were in service with the Air Force . The first negotiations with the USSR for the delivery of the first 20 MiG-29s began in 1989, which resulted in the purchase of 40 MiG-29s and 20 MiG-29UBs by 1996. Furthermore, during the Gulf War in 1991, some Iraqi pilots flew their MiG-29s over the border into Iran. The planes were not returned afterwards.
•  Kazakhstan - As of January 2018, there were 12 MiG-29s and 2 MiG-29UBs in service.

•  Cuba - As of January 2018, 2 MiG-29A and 3 MiG-29UB were in service with the armed forces .
•  Malaysia - As of January 2018, there were 8 MiG-29N and 2 MiG-29NUB in service, which, however, are to be bought by India.
•  Myanmar - As of January 2018, there were 11 MiG-29, 6 MiG-29SE, 10 MiG-29SM and 5 MiG-29UB in service.
•  North Korea - As of January 2018, there were at least 18 MiG-29s in versions A, S and UB in service with the Air Force .
•  Peru - As of January 2018, there were 9 MiG-29S, 3 MiG-29SE, 6 MiG-29SMP and 2 MiG-29UBM in service with the Air Force.
•  Poland - As of January 2018, there were 26 MiG-29A and 7 MiG-29UB in service. From this originate u. a. 22 MiG-29G / GT from German stock, which were delivered to the then GDR in 1988 and 1989 and were handed over to Poland in 2003 for a symbolic sum of € 1 per aircraft.
•  Russia
  Air Force - As of January 2018, there were 66 MiG-29S / M, 4 MiG-29UBT, and 44 MiG-29SMT in service.
  Navy - As of January 2018, 19 MiG-29K and 3 MiG-29KUBR are in service.
•  Serbia - As of January 2018, 14 MiG-29s of various versions were in service.
•  Slovakia - As of January 2018, there were 10 MiG-29AS and 2 MiG-29UBS in service, which after a retrofit now meet ICAO and NATO standards.
•  Syria - As of January 2018, there are 30 MiG-29s in versions A, SM and UB in service.
•  Sudan - As of January 2018, there were 20 MiG-29SE and 2 MiG-29UB in service.
•  Chad - As of January 2018, 1 MiG-29 was in service.
•  Turkmenistan - As of January 2018, there were 12 MiG-29 / UB in service with the Air Force .
•  Ukraine - The Ukrainian Air Force had 185 aircraft in service. In autumn 2018, around 21 were ready for use. In 2014 there were 45 aircraft in the Crimea, which was annexed by Russia, one machine was probably shot down by a Buk on August 7, and another machine was suspected to have been shot down by a Russian MiG-29.
•  Belarus - As of February 2019, there were 24 MiG-29 / S and 6 MiG-29UB in service with the Air Force .

Former users

•  German Democratic Republic - Within the NVA air force, 20 MiG-29A and 4 MiG-29UB were in service as DHS at JG-3 in Preschen from 1988 onwards . The NVA's MiG-29s came from plants No. 84 in Chodynka (MiG-29A) and No. 21 in Gorki (MiG-29UB). The retraining of pilots and technicians began in 1987, initially with a preparatory course at the Kamenz officers' college , and was continued in the Soviet Union in Frunze / Kyrgyzstan and Lugowaja / Kazakhstan. Since the newly developed friend-enemy system "Parol" was to be used in the total of 24 machines, delivery was delayed until March 1988. The first two MiG-29A were put into service on March 31st. In January of the following year, the conversion of the 1st and 2nd squadrons of the JG-3 "Vladimir Komarow" from the MiG-21MF to the MiG-29 was completed. The flight service began on May 3, 1988. The accommodation in the closed cover GDF-12 caused problems . For the MiGs, with a span of 11.36 m, guide rails had to be embedded in the floor of the twelve-meter-wide shelters so that the aircraft could be maneuvered in and out without damage. Until the JG-3 was disbanded, the MiG-29 had completed about 4,000 flight hours. The last flight service was completed on September 27, 1990. Before the machines were handed over to the Bundeswehr, however, the “Parol” device was removed by Soviet technicians.
•  Germany - After the dissolution of the National People's Army and reunification with the German Democratic Republic in 1990, the 20 MiG-29A and 4 MiG-29UB were taken over by the GDR. This made Germany the first and only NATO member before the eastward expansion to own this aircraft model. After a test phase and the conversion of all machines to NATO standards under the new designation MiG-29G or GT (G for German , GT German Trainer ), the aircraft were placed under the German Air Force . This conversion was designed in 1990/91 by members of the material management transition center and the first MiG-29 (29 + 07) aircraft by the Cottbus engineering support department, the Cottbus maintenance department and the Manching military engineering department (WTD-61) in cooperation with the chief designer Waldenberg (IKB Mikojan Moscow) converted in 1992 and subjected to flight tests on the WTD-61.
  The next aircraft were converted in Cottbus and approved for flight by the MiG-29 department of the Strausberg transfer center. The expansion of the navigation system with a GPS system for seven aircraft was carried out in cooperation with the Cottbus engineering support group and WTD-61. The DASA (meanwhile EADS, now Airbus Group ) was later involved in the conversion in order to convert all MiG-29 aircraft to the NATO standard as quickly as possible. Later, seven of these aircraft (G only) received additional under-wing fuel tanks and an improved navigation system to increase their range. The retrofitting, partly financed by the USA, was carried out by DASA ; it included compatible communication systems, GPS navigation system, additional tanks and a modified weapon system. The background to this was the relocation of some machines for maneuvering purposes to the USA, as requested by the USA, where the MiGs were henceforth regularly used as training opponents for the US Air Force, Marine Corps aviators and Navy. The machines were first put into service with Jagdgeschwader 73 "Steinhoff" on June 1, 1993 at Preschen airfield and then stationed in Laage near Rostock in 1994 . The Fighter Wing 73 "S" was subordinate to the 3rd Air Force Division in Berlin-Gatow (today: 2nd Air Force Division Birkenfeld). The machines were used, among other things, as an alarm group to monitor German airspace and were assigned to NATO. By 2003, Air Force pilots had completed over 30,000 flight hours on the MiG-29. In the course of the introduction of the Eurofighter , the Federal Republic of Germany and Poland  - which joined NATO in 1999 - signed a licensing agreement on June 24, 2003, which regulated the sale of the MiGs for the symbolic price of 1 euro each to the Polish Air Force . The only unsold aircraft with the designation 29 + 03 was added to the holdings of the Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr at the Berlin-Gatow airfield and can be viewed there in Hangar 7 as part of the exhibition "The Bundeswehr Air Force".

•  Iraq - Decommissioned by January 2018.
•  Yemen - Decommissioned by January 2018.
•  Moldova - Of the 34 MiG-29A and MiG-29UB delivered, 21 have been sold to the US and the rest to Yemen and Eritrea.
•  Romania - Decommissioned by January 2018.
•  Czech Republic - In 1995 a barter deal took place between the Czech Republic and Poland, in which the Czech Republic exchanged its MiG-29s, which had previously been in storage for two years, for 11 PZL W3 Sokol helicopters.

•  Hungary - Decommissioned by January 2018.
•  United States - Under the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, Moldova acquired 21 aircraft in 1997 , including 14 MiG-29S with specialized radar systems and the ability to carry nuclear weapons. This was intended on the one hand to prevent further sale of the aircraft to “ rogue states ”, particularly Iran, and on the other hand, they were to be used for researching Russian technology and as opponents in aerial combat exercises in order to better simulate combat situations.

Former prospects

•  Argentina - In 2017, Argentina reached out to Russia with a request to acquire 15 MiG-29S.
•  Lebanon - The Lebanon Air Force was to receive ten MiG-29s from Russia. In a leaked Stratfor document, this announcement was referred to as a PR stunt.
•  Libya - In 2007 interest was expressed and a. 12 MiG-29SMT for sale.

Technical specifications

Parameter	Data from the MiG-29 Fulcrum-A	Data from the MiG-29K Fulcrum-D	Data from the MiG-29M Fulcrum-E
crew	1	1	1
length	17.32 m	17.32 m	17.36 m
span	11.36 m	11.99 m	11.36 m
height	4.73 m	5.18 m	4.73 m
Wing area	38.06 m²	approx. 43 m²	38.06 m²
Wing extension	3.40	3.34	3.40
Wing loading	minimum (empty weight): 288 kg / m² nominal (normal takeoff weight): 441 kg / m² maximum (max. take-off weight): 539 kg / m²	minimum (empty weight): 255 kg / m² nominal (normal take-off weight): 430 kg / m² maximum (max. take-off weight): 520 kg / m²	minimum (empty weight): 305 kg / m² nominal (normal takeoff weight): 460 kg / m² maximum (max. takeoff weight): 552 kg / m²
Empty mass	10,980 kg	approx. 11,000 kg	11,600 kg
normal takeoff mass	16,800 kg	18,500 kg	17,500 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	20,500 kg	22,400 kg	21,000 kg
Fuel capacity	3,190 kg (internal) 3,820 kg (external)	k. A.	4,526 kg (internal) 3,820 kg (external)
Top speed	Mach 2.25 or 2,390 km / h (at optimal altitude)	Mach 2.1 or 2.230 km / h (at optimal altitude)	at the optimum altitude: Mach 2.3 or 2,445 km / h at sea level: Mach 1.23 or 1,511 km / h
Service ceiling	18,013 m	17,400 m	approx. 18,000 m
Max. Rate of climb	330 m / s	260 m / s	330 m / s
Use radius	k. A.	k. A.	1,015 km
Max. Range	without additional tanks: 1,200 km with additional tanks: 2,900 km	k. A.	without additional tanks: 2,200 km with additional tanks: 3,500 km
Engines	two Klimov RD-33 - turbofans	two Klimow RD 33K turbofan engines	two Klimow RD 33MK turbofan engines
Thrust	with afterburner: 2 × 81.40 kN without afterburner: k. A.	with afterburner: 2 × 86.30 kN without afterburner: 2 × 49.39 kN	with afterburner: 2 × 88.29 kN without afterburner: 2 × 52.97 kN
Thrust-to-weight ratio	maximum (empty weight): 1.51 nominal (normal takeoff mass): 0.99 minimum (max.starting mass): 0.81	maximum (empty weight): 1.60 nominal (normal takeoff mass): 0.95 minimum (max.start mass): 0.78	maximum (empty weight): 1.55 nominal (normal take-off mass): 1.03 minimum (max.start mass): 0.86
Armament	4,500 kg weapon load	5,500 kg weapon load	5,000 kg weapon load

Armament

A MiG-29 of the German air force on firing an air-to-air missile type Vympel R-27R

MiG-29OWT engine

Fixed armament in the bow

• 1 x 30 mm automatic cannon GRYAZEV-SHIPUNOV GSH-301 (9A-4071K) with 150 rounds of ammunition

Gun loading of 3500 kg at seven external load stations

From MiG-29A

Air-to-air guided missile

• 2 × AKU / APU-470 start rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-27R (AA-10 "Alamo-A") each - semi-active radar-guided for medium-haul routes
• 2 × AKU / APU-470 start rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-27T (AA-10 "Alamo-B") each - infrared-controlled for medium distances
• 4 × P-12-1-D start rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-73E / EL (AA-11 "Archer") - infrared controlled for short distances
• 4 × APU-60-1 start rails for one MKB Wympel R-60M (AA-8 "Aphid") each - infrared controlled for short distances

Unguided air-to-surface missiles

• 4 × GosMKB Wympel B-8M1 rocket tube launch container for 20 × unguided S-8 air-to-ground missiles each ; Caliber 80 mm

Unguided bombs

• 2 × MBD3-U6-68 bomb racks with 6 × FAB-100 each (100 kg free-fall bomb )
• 2 × Basalt FAB-250M-62 (250 kg free-fall bomb)

Free-falling nuclear weapons

• 2 × RN-24 (30 kT tactical free-fall nuclear bomb)

External container

• 2 × dropping additional tanks PTB-1150 for 1150 liters of kerosene each
• 1 × drop-off additional tank PTB-1500 for 1500 liters of kerosene
• 2 × additional PTB-2000 tanks for 2,000 liters of kerosene each for transfer flights

From MiG-29SM

Russian MiG-29M Fulcrum-E with Ch-31, Ch-25 and R-77

Air-to-air guided missile

• 2 × AKU / APU-470 start rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-27ER1 (AA-10 "Alamo-A") each - semi-active radar-guided for medium-range routes
• 2 × AKU / APU-470 start rails each for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-27ET1 (AA-10 "Alamo-B") - infrared -controlled for medium distances
• 6 × AKU-170E start rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-77 / RWW-AE (AA-12 "Adder") each - radar-guided for long distances

Air-to-surface guided missile

• 2 × AKU-58M starting rails for one GosMKB Wympel Ch-29TE (9M721 or AS-14 "Kedge-B") - TV-controlled
• 4 × APU-68UM3 launch rails for one Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-25ML (AS-10 "Karen") each - laser-guided
• 4 × AKU-58M start rails for one GosMKB Wympel Ch-29L (9M721 or AS-14 "Kedge-B") - laser-guided
• 2 × AKU-58M launch rails each for one Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-31P (AS-17 "Krypton") - passive anti-radar guided missile
• 2 × AKU-58M launch rails for one Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-31A (AS-17 "Krypton") - radar-guided ship target
• 2 × APU-68UM3 launch rails for one Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-25MP (AS-12 "Kegler") each - passive anti-radar guided missile
• 4 × AKU-58M starting rails for one GosMKB Wympel Ch-29L (9M721 or AS-14 "Kedge-B") - TV-controlled

Guided bombs

• 4 × Region JSC KAB-500 L ( laser-guided 500 kg bomb)
• 4 × Region JSC KAB-500Kr / KAB-500-OD (TV-controlled 500 kg bomb / with thermobaric warhead)

Self-defense systems

Active measures

Decoys launcher

A BWP-30-26M decoy launcher for 30 × PPI-26 magnesium flares or PPR-26 aluminum strips (26 mm decoys) is located in a rectangular container at the foot of the rudder unit . There are a total of 60 decoy cartridges.

Passive action

• 2 × radar warning sensors Sirena-3 SPO-15LM L006LM Berjosa

See also

• List of aircraft types

literature

• Andy Gröning: MiG-29 . Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2015, ISBN 978-3-613-03816-5 .
• Jürgen Vogt, Siegfried Wache: Mikojan-Gurewitsch MiG-29 . In: DHS. The planes of the National People's Army . Bmvd, Rinteln 2001, ISBN 3-935761-85-6 .
• Michael Normann: The MiG-29 story. Part 1 . In: Fliegerrevue . No. 10 , 2000, pp. 26-30 .
• Michael Normann: The modern MiG-29 versions. Part 2 . In: Fliegerrevue . No. 11 , 2000, pp. 22-25 .
• Andreas Klein: Air Force Fulcrums. The MiG 29 - From the East German People's Army to the Luftwaffe . In: AirDOC - Aircraft Documentations . No. 2 . AirDOC, Erlangen 2002, ISBN 3-935687-01-X .
• Claudio Müller: Aircraft of the World 1997. Description of the newest aircraft types today – tomorrow . Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Zurich 1997.

Web links

Commons : Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

• Whereabouts of the German MiG-29 ( Memento of 15 February 2009 at the Internet Archive )
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29 ASCC code name: Fulcrum. In: Aerospaceweb.org. Retrieved July 28, 2008 . 
• Fighter aircraft MiG-29 G (aircraft registration number of the Bundeswehr: 29 + 03) in the Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr - Berlin-Gatow airfield. In: museum-digital.de. Retrieved March 16, 2012 . 
• MiG 29 G Fulcrum, Mikoyan Gurewitsch. In: bredow-web.de (private website with extensive information and images). Retrieved August 16, 2012 . 
• Website with camouflage schemes, badges and numbers of the MiG-29 around the world ( memento of March 30, 2015 in the Internet Archive )
• One last fight. In: vintagewings.ca. Retrieved August 22, 2017 (English). 
• Pauline Nordin Stratosphere flight in the MiG-29 MIGFlug, youtube.com, published January 13, 2016, accessed March 26, 2018. Video (1:14:57) - Flight with aerobatic elements, passenger flight with Pauline Nordin (* 1982, Sweden; Los Angeles), Sormowo Airfield , Russia. Onboard cams, including clothing, museum visit. Documentary with advertising for the provider MIGFlug, Zurich.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Andy Gröning: MiG-29 . Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2015, ISBN 978-3-613-03816-5 , p. 21 .
2. ↑ Flight International: World Air Forces , December 10, 2019 (English), pp. 26–54.
3. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g} Mikojan-Gurewitsch MiG-29 (suchoj.com)
4. ↑ Ingo Rehwald: MiG-29K - The hunter with the hook. In: Flieger Revue 2/1993. P. 18.
5. ↑ ^{a b} Rac MiG  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
6. ↑ India Daily ( Memento of the original from January 31, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
7. ↑ ^{a b} FlugRevue April 2010, pp. 42–47, India's Navy puts MiG-29K into service .
8. ^ Rac MiG News ( Memento from April 14, 2005 in the Internet Archive )
9. ^ Jefim Gordon , Dimitri Kommissarjow: Mikoyan MiG-29 & MiG-35 , Famous Russian Aircraft, pages 253-256, ISBN 978-1-910809-22-8
10. ↑ en.rian.ru Fulcrum
11. ↑ MiG-29M / MiG-29M2 page - RAC MiG. ( Memento from July 31, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) In: migavia.ru. (English).
12. ↑ Latest MiG-29 planes to be flown. In: people.com.cn. People's Daily Online.
13. ^ Rac MiG. ( Memento of January 8, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) In: migavia.ru. (English).
14. ↑ ACIG Exclusives: Aero India 2005: Chapter 4. ( Memento of April 24, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) In: migavia.ru (English).
15. ↑ MAKS 2005 highlights.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. In: acig.org. (English).  
16. ↑ MiG-29SMT, improved MiG-29UB aircraft ( memento from March 1, 2011 in the Internet Archive ). RAC MiG
17. ^ Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies - CAST comments
18. ↑ Moscow Defense Brief ( Memento from September 19, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
19. ↑ Aviapedia - Video of the MiG-29WFT from the "Smotr" TV series
20. ↑ Moscow Defense Brief ( Memento of August 20, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
21. ↑ Russian MiG-29
22. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa} The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 (English, January 2018).
23. ↑ Russia to fly 34 MiG-29s that Algeria rejected. In: News World Communications - United Press International - UPI. upi.com, January 15, 2009, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
24. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2019 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2019, ISBN 978-1-85743-988-5 (English, January 2019).
25. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien: Russia's MiG-29 Fulcrum: A Super Fighter or Super Failure? In: The National Interest. nationalinterest.org, July 20, 2016, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
26. ↑ Rakesh Krishnan Simha: MiGs make a comeback - at sea. In: Russia Beyond. rbth.com, July 24, 2016, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
27. ↑ Report: India's Russian-made MiG-29K Fighters Face Problems , August 10, 2016
28. ↑ Hoshimjon Mahmadov / Muhammad Yaseen Naseem: Russia-Iran Defense Cooperation: Past and Present . The Journal of Iranian Studies, Vol: 2, No: 1, 2018, ISSN  2536-5029 , pp. 98, 101 (English, org.tr ).
29. ↑ Mariusz Wojciechowski: IRAQ. In: Colors of the MiG-29 (МиГ-29). mig.mariwoj.pl, accessed on September 10, 2019 (English). 
30. ↑ India to examine whether to acquire MiF-29 jets from Malaysia. In: Rhe Economic Times. economictimes.indiatimes.com, July 12, 2018, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
31. ↑ ^{a b} German Luftwaffe and the MiG-29 Fulcrum. In: MiGFlug & Adventure GmbH. migflug.com, accessed on September 8, 2019 (English). 
32. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2017 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2017, ISBN 978-1-85743-900-7 , pp. 217 (English, January 2017, 70 MiG-29S / M, 6 MiG-UBT).
33. ↑ Россия передаст Сербии шесть истребителей до конца 2017 года. In: ООО «Лента.Ру». lenta.ru, July 19, 2017, accessed on October 20, 2017 (Russian, including 4 MiG-29 and 2 Mig-29UBT from Russian stocks will be handed over to Serbia by the end of 2017). 
34. ↑ ^{a b} “STAFF WRITER”: Serbia receives 4 more MiG-29 fighter jets from Belarus. In: Globe Post Network - The Defense Post. thedefensepost.com, February 25, 2019, accessed on September 8, 2019 (English, a total of 14 MiG-29s of various versions in service). 
35. ^ Ukrainian fighter plane shot down over Yenakieve . Ukrajinska Pravda , 7 August 2014
36. ↑ Ukraine Has Lost Half Its Warplanes , January 25, 2015
37. ^ Detlef Billig, Manfred Meyer: Airplanes of the GDR. Type book military and civil aviation. Volume III until 1990. Friedland 2003, ISBN 3-613-02285-0 , pp. 52-61.
38. ↑ Exposed: America Purchased 21 Lethal Russian Mig-29 Fighters , The National Interest, December 2, 2015
39. ↑ czechs exchange fulcrums for sokols. In: DVV Media International Limited - Flight Global. flightglobal.com, January 3, 1996, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
40. ↑ "WarIsBoring": The Secret Is Out: America Purchased 21 Russian MiG-29 Fighters (Here Is What happenned). In: Center for the National Interest. nationalinterest.org, April 16, 2019, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
41. ↑ Argentina Sends Russia Commercial Offer to Buy 15 MiG-29s. In: Rossiya Segodnya - Sputniknews. sputniknews.com, January 21, 2017, accessed September 10, 2019 . 
42. ↑ Lebanon gets ten Russian MiG-29 fighter jets as a gift. RIA Novosti, December 17, 2008, accessed March 2, 2010 . 
43. ↑ leaked Stratfor communication: Re: INSIGHT - Russian MiG-29 gift to Lebanon December 2008
44. ^ Libya nears arms deal with Russia. In: xairforces - Aviation Society. xairforces.net, accessed on September 8, 2019 . 
45. ^ ^{A b} Jefim Gordon : Soviet / Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Midland Publishing, 2004, p. 45.
46. ↑ Fliegerrevue Extra No. 22, Möller Buch- und Zeitschriftenverlag, p. 50.