Mig-29 Fulcrum
The MiG29 Fulcrum is the pride of the Russian airforce and by many considered the best fighter today. That is not far from the truth.
The MiG29 is capable of making manouvers no other aircraft can do. And the manouvers others can do, it can do faster and tighter, giving it an edge in dog fights.
The MiG-29 is a widely exported aircraft, flown by Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Syria, Turkemenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Yugoslavia.
In total, over 800 were delivered to the Soviet / Russian Tactical Air Forces and around 500 airframes prepared for initial export customers.
By 1989, it was serving in 12 different air forces around the world.
Presently, it is the only Russian aircraft on operational duty in NATO and serves in 21 air forces.
Brassey's reports that a total of 1216 MiG-29 single-seaters and 197 MiG-29UB dual-seaters were built by January 1985 (total of 1413). Since 1990, production was exclusively for export.
The MiG-29 has a few advantages over its more electronically advanced American counterparts. At about 40 miles apart, the American planes have the advantage because of avionics. At 10 miles the advantage is turning to the MiG. At five miles out, because of the MiG weapons sight and better maneuverability, the advantage is to the MiG.
The mission of the MiG-29 is to destroy hostile air targets within radar coverage limits and also to destroy ground targets using unguided weapons in visual flight conditions.
The aircraft's fixed-wing profile with large-wing leading-edge root extensions gives good manoeuvrability and control at subsonic speed, including manoeuvres at high angles of attack. The maximum operational g-loading is 9g.
The MiG29B was designed later on as a two-seated combat trainer.
There is also a MiG29C with extended fuel capacity, of the 21 Fulcrums the United States bought, 14 are the frontline Fulcrum C's, which also contains an active radar jammer in its spine, six Mig 29A versions and one B-model of training.
During 1989 and 1990 a naval version was also under testing under the name MiG29D.
The latest version of MiG29 is the Super Fulcrum, MiG29K.
The MiG-29K differed from the MiG-29 production model, featuring a new multi-function radar.
It is a highly improved MiG29, but unfortuately it hasn't been produced in great numbers.
The aircraft has a remote control system, large-area (42 m2 vs 38 m2) folding wing, adjustable center-line air intakes with retractable screens protecting the engines during operation from ground airfields, reinforced landing gear, hook, corrosion- protected reinforced fuselage made specifically for deck-based aircraft.
The German 'Bundeswehr' inherited 20 single-seater and 4 twin-seater MiG-29 aircraft from the former East German forces after the cold war.
After these Fulcrum aircraft had been upgraded to western standards, they received the designations MiG-29G (for Germany) and MiG-29GT (Germany/Trainer).
The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with seven external weapon hardpoints.
The aircraft can carry: up to two R-27 air-to-air medium-range missiles; six R-73 and R-60 air-to-air short range missiles; four pods of S-5, S-8, S-24 unguided rockets; air bombs weighing up to 3,000kg; and 30mm built-in aircraft gun with 150 rounds of ammunition.
During the NATO actions in Kosovo, on the 24th of March 1999, a Dutch F-16 shot down a Serbian Mig-29.
(The engagement also marked the combat debut for the F-16AM, the most advanced F-16 in operational service.)
Armament:
Versions:
- Mig-29 " Fulcrum-have ": Basical version. Feature: to see above.
- Mig-29UB " Fulcrum-Bs ": Two-seater Training version.
- Mig-29S " Fulcrum-Cs ": Modernized version of Fulcrum-H.
- Mig-29SE: Export version of export of the Fulcrum-C.
- Mig-29K " Fulcrum-Ds ": Aircraft Carrier based version of the Mig-29. (based on Kusnetzov Carrier)
- Mig-29M: Last version of the Mig-29, completely revisited.
- Mig-29ME: Export Version of the Mig-29M.
- Mig-29G: German upgraded version
- Mig-29GT: German upgaded two-seater trainer
Recent developments (news)
Russian fighter jets for Indian tender to have new radar
Posted at: Fri Sep 18th, 2009
MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Phazotron NIIR corporation said on Thursday it has developed a new-generation airborne radar for MiG-35 fighter jets which participate in the Indian fighter tender.Six major aircraft makers - Lockheed and Boeing from the United States, Rus...
Russia opens criminal case over MiG fighters returned by Algeria
Posted at: Fri Sep 18th, 2009
MOSCOW, September 18 (RIA Novosti) - Criminal charges have been laid against the top management of a company accused of providing low-quality equipment for MiG-29 fighters later rejected by Algeria, Russia's business daily Kommersant said on Friday.
Russian firm sues arms exporter for $15 mln over Algeria deal
Posted at: Mon Sep 14th, 2009MOSCOW, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - A Moscow-based missile manufacturer is suing the Russian arms export monopoly over claims the organization breached a contract with Algeria, a business daily reported on Monday.According to Vedomosti, the Dux plant, contracted to make missiles for ... » Mig-29 Fulcrum RSS News Feed
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