Incorporating an advanced
aerodynamic design, the MiG-29 has a N-019 pulse-Doppler radar (NATO
Slot Back) as its primary sensor; this is allied to an infre-red
search and track for
passive tracking of targets.
The 9-12 prototype made its first
flight in 1977, and the type entered service with Soviet Frontal
Aviation in 1986. Replacing MiG-23s, the MiG-29 was assigned dual
air superiority and ground-attack roles. Fighter regiments were also
tasked with tactical nuclear strike with 30-kT RN-40 bombs.
The
basic MiG-29 has proved itself as a formidable close-in dogfighter.
The pilot has a helmet-mounted sight to cue missiles onto an
off-boresight target. The very agile R-73 missile remains widely
viewed as the best close combat air-to-air weapon. However, the
MiG-29s primary beyond visual range weapon, the R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) is no more than
adequate. Furthermore, the RD-33 engines suffer from low
maintainability, and the MiG-29 is also handicapped by its lack of
range and endurance. The latter parameters were addressed by an
improved 9-13 variant allocated the NATO reporting name Fulcrum C.
This featured a bulged and extended spine, which houses both fuel
and avionics, including an active jammer. Commonly nicknamed
Gorbatov (hunchback), this variant was built alongside the standard
9-12 MiG-29s.
To address
the shortcomings of the baseline MiG-29 the design bureau developed
two radically-improved variants. Both the MiG-29M and
naval MiG-29K fell victim to fierce spending cuts after the Cold War
and their further development was halted. MiG MAPO chose to pursue
more limited upgrade programmes for more immediate application to
Russian and export baseline MiG-29s.
The MiG-29S upgrade was applied
to a limited number of Russian 9-13 MiG-29s, the first phase
introducing provision for underwing fuel tanks. It remains unclear
if further phased improvements were applied. These included a
doubling of the warload, provision for in-flight refueling and an upgraded NO19MP
Topaz radar with simultaneous dual target engagement capability. The
radar would have given compatibility with R-77 beyond visual range
air-to-air missiles. Such
features were subsequently offered for export MiG-29s, along with
Western navigation and communications equipment as well as a bolt-on
retractable in-flight refueling probe.
The standard export MiG-29S was known as the
MiG-29SD for 9-12 airframes and as the MiG-29SE when based on the
9-13 airframe. Malaysia's MiG-29Ns are effectively MiG-29SDs. While
these versions were marketed as air superiority fighters, the
MiG-29SM stressed its multi-role capability with TV- and
laser-guided air-to-surface weapons.
Pending the production of a
fifth-generation fighter, the Russian air force is upgrading over
150 9-13 MiG-29s to a standard comparable to the MiG-29SMT (9-17);
this first full standard prototype flew in 1998. The upgrade will
include an N-019ME or MP radar, a modern glass cockpit, greatly
increased internal fuel capacity, RD-43 engines, improved
service-ability, addition of an IFR system, and increased combat
load; not all of the features mentioned will be incorporated in the
first phase of the upgrade. India's acquisition and upgrade of the
former RNS carrier Admiral Gorshkov has attracted renewed interest
in the MiG-29K. DASA, Aerostar and Elbit offer the Sniper upgrade
that incorporates elements from the MiG-21 Lancer.
The MiG-29 was built in substantial numbers and was
widely exported. After Russia, Ukraine is the next major operator
with six regiments (including Fulcrum-Cs). Other operators are
Belarus, Bulgaria, Cuba, Eritrea, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran,
Iraq, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Romania,
Slovakia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia. The
MiG-29s serve primarily as air defense fighters. All operators have
small numbers of MiG-29UB two-seat conversion trainers.
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