Mikoyan MiG-29M
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| MiG-29M | |
|---|---|
 MiG-29M |
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| Type | Fighter |
| National origin | Russia |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan |
| Primary user | Russian Air Force |
| Developed from | Mikoyan MiG-29 |
The Mikoyan MiG-29M (Russian: Микоян МиГ-35, NATO reporting name "Fulcrum-F") is a mature development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. Formely known as the MiG-33, it was developed from the Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO: "Fulcrum") fighter jet during mid-1980s. The MiG-29M is sometimes called the Super Fulcrum.
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[edit] Development
In the mid-1980s, a development of the original MiG-29 was proposed to meet the Soviet western front line requirement. It was required to be a multi-role fighter for the front line defensive air force to gain offensive strike ability.[1] This development resulted in a single seat and a double seat variant. The proposal was then grounded as a result of shift in military strategy. The model was named MiG-33 and later with the MiG-29ME designation for export market in the mid 1990s. A twin seat model of the standard, which also commonly known as the MiG-29MRCA was the MAPO-MiG's primary contender for many international fighter aircraft bids, later evolved into the Mikoyan MiG-35. Six of these models were built before 1990.[2] They were constantly upgraded with various components and one of them received experimental vector thrust engines which eventually became the MiG-29OVT. The model was again renamed as MiG-29M.[3] The MiG-29M/M2 now belongs to the "New unified family" instead of the "MiG-29 fighters family" which comprise the older variants.
RAC MiG engineers are putting their effort constantly to upgrade the model for better performance, seeking a possible sale of the aircraft. The innovation is focused on aerodynamics improvements, fly-by-wire technology, stealth feature, increased fuel capacity and in-flight refueling solutions, more weight load, and well established open architect for application of foreign equipment. Together with the success of MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-35, the MiG-29M/M2 also took advantage of new technologies, such as the new enhanced thrust smokeless engines. New reliability measures resulted in a flight hour cost decrease by about 2.5 times and capable of on- condition maintenance. These new technologies gave the aircraft contemporary features to fourth and fifth generation fighters in all aspects, and most important, to offer a true multi-role capability to the aircraft.
Furthermore, the RAC MiG engineers have also developed a complete set of training simulators to help pilots master the sophisticate controls of the new aircraft. The simulators' interactive computer-based training systems offer full-mission motion simulations.
[edit] Design
[edit] Features
The MiG-29M/M2 aircraft is a revision of the basic MiG-29. It achieved a more robust multi-role capability with enhanced use of air-to-air and air-to-ground high-precision weapons. It also featured considerably increased combat range owing to an increase in its internal fuel capacity. Along with a better pilot-to-aircraft interface in the cockpit, a digital three-channel fourfold redundant fly-by-wire system, improved navigation, radio communications, electronic countermeasures, monitoring and recording systems, and optronic and reconnaissance pods, have improved overall aircraft performance considerably.
[edit] Airframe evolutions
There are few vital changes took place during the development of the MiG-33. The redesigned airframe was constructed from a lightweight aluminum-lithium alloy to increase thrust-to-weight ratio. Air intakes' geometry is being revised, removed the upper intake louvres to make way for more fuel in the LERXs, mesh screens introduced to prevent foreign object damage (FOD) and enlarged inlet dimensions for higher airflow. At the back of the aircraft featured an enlarged spine for more fuel capacity and a dorsal air break. Radome and canopy were redesign to give space for avionic upgrades. Aerodynamics were also revised. The wings increased span and aileron, while the tail fins revised trailing edges.
[edit] Powerplant
The RD-33MK, the latest revised of the RD-33 were introduced. The new engines has a 7% higher horsepower in compare to the baseline model due to the usage of modern materials on the cooled blades, hence provide a higher thrust at 9,000 kgf. In response to long time criticism, new engines are smokeless and contain improvements that reduce its infrared visibility. Thrust vectoring nozzles are now offered upon customer’s request.[6][7]
[edit] Range and fuel system
The aircraft is built with an in-flight-refueling (IFR) probe and is able to carry three fuel drop tanks. The redesigned airframe also significantly increased internal fuel capacity in the dorsal spine and LERXs fuel tanks. These give the aircraft of single seat an operation range of 2,000 km with internal fuel, 3,200 km with three fuel drop tanks, and 6,000 km with three drop tanks and in-flight-refueling.
[edit] Cockpit
The cockpit has been redesigned to incorporate contemporary features. While some analogue instruments have been retained, two monochrome liquid crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFD) have been introduced and new weapon controls have been incorporated in a HOTAS concept. Other new features include the Zhuk-ME radar, an infra-red search and track (IRST) system and a helmet-mounted target designation system (early HMD).
[edit] Sensors
Main upgrades consists the Zhuk-ME pulse-Doppler airbone radar, along with revised IRST systems, helmet-mounted target designation system and electronic countermeasures. New radar capable of detect air targets at ranges up to 120 km, track-while-scan of ten targets and attack of four targets at a time. In scanning surface targets, the radar detection range of destroyer-type target is 250 km and that of missile launcher-type target is 150 km. Hence beyond visual range (BVR) engage is greatly enhanced.
[edit] Armament
The aircraft can carry the RVV-AE (R-77), R-27ER1, R-27ET1, R-27R1, R-27T1, R-73E air-to-air missiles, the Kh-29T, Kh-29L, Kh-31A, Kh-31P, Kh-35E air-to-surface missiles, the KAB-500KR (OD), KAB-500L guided bombs, as well as rockets and free-fall bombs. The aircraft retains the GSh-301 built-in gun.
[edit] Specifications (MiG-29M/M2)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: One or Two
- 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)
- Max takeoff weight: 22,400 kg (49,383.54 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans, 9,000 kgf (88.26 kN, 19,841.60 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed:
- Ferry range: 2,000 km, 1,800 km (Twin seat) (1,079.91 mi, 971.92 mi (Twin seat))
- Service ceiling 18,000 m[9] (61,050.69 ft[8])
- Rate of climb: 330 m/s[8] (68,971 ft/min[9])
- Wing loading: 442 kg/m² (90.5 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 1.13
Armament
- 1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
- A-A missiles: 8 × R-73E, 6 × RVV-AE
- A-S missiles: 4 × Kh-29T(TE), 4 × Kh-31A, 4 × Kh-31P, Kh-35E
- Guided bombs: 4 × KAB-500Kr
Avionics
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Lake, John, Jane's How to Fly and Fight in the Mikoyan MiG-29 (HarperCollins, 1997 ISBN 0-00472144-6), p.19.
- ^ Aviapedia » Mig-29VFT video from “Smotr” tv-series
- ^ Rac Mig
- ^ Lake, John. Jane's How to Fly and Fight in the Mikoyan MiG-29. (HarperCollins, 1997. ISBN 0-00472144-6)
- ^ Rac Mig
- ^ Klimov :: Production :: Aircraft Program :: RD-33MK
- ^ MiG-29M/M2
- ^ a b c MIG-29/MIG-35 Fulcrum Counter-Air Fighter | Russian Arms, Military Technology, Analysis of Russia's Military Forces
- ^ a b нЙз нЙз-29н(нЙз-33)
[edit] External links
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