Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-29 Fulcrum

Summary

Description

The MiG-29, codenamed "Fulcrum" by NATO, is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft designed and produced by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan Design Bureau. It was developed during the late 1970s as a response to American fighters like the F-15 and F-16. The primary objective was to create a highly maneuverable, multirole fighter capable of achieving air superiority and engaging in ground-attack missions. The MiG-29 was first flown on October 6, 1977, and entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983. It was one of the USSR's most advanced aircraft at the time, featuring innovations like a fly-by-wire control system and radar that could track multiple targets simultaneously.

The MiG-29's design reflects its intended roles of air superiority and ground-attack missions. It has a twin-engine layout, providing redundancy and increased thrust, which is essential for high maneuverability and combat performance. The aircraft utilizes a conventional aerodynamic layout with a mid-mounted wing and a slightly swept design, allowing for both high-speed performance and agility at lower speeds.

One of the key features of the MiG-29 is its radar system, initially the N-019 "Rubin" radar, which is capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously and engaging them with a range of air-to-air missiles. The aircraft also has an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, allowing it to detect and lock onto targets without relying solely on radar, thus reducing its radar signature.

Structurally, the aircraft is built to be rugged and withstand significant stress, a requirement stemming from its expected use on frontline airfields that may not be as well-maintained as those in more secure areas. The landing gear is robust to handle rough airfields, and the airframe is designed to be maintainable with minimum ground support, increasing its operational flexibility.

Armament

The MiG-29 is equipped with a GSh-30-1 30mm cannon, which is an internal single-barrel autocannon with a high rate of fire. It can carry a wide variety of ordnance on its hardpoints, which are usually arranged as six under-wing and one under-fuselage pylons.

For air-to-air combat, the MiG-29 can be armed with a range of Russian missiles including the R-27 (AA-10 'Alamo') medium-to-long-range missiles, and the R-73 (AA-11 'Archer') short-range, infrared-guided missiles. The R-27 comes in multiple versions with varying guidance systems like semi-active radar homing or infrared homing, allowing the aircraft to engage multiple types of aerial threats. The R-73 is known for its high maneuverability, making it effective in close-range dogfighting.

For ground-attack roles, the MiG-29 can carry unguided bombs, cluster bombs, and precision-guided munitions like laser-guided bombs. It can also be outfitted with air-to-surface missiles such as the Kh-29 (AS-14 'Kedge') and various types of rocket pods. Additionally, it is capable of carrying anti-ship missiles, making it a multirole platform capable of naval strike operations as well.

Operational history

The MiG-29's operational history is extensive, beginning with its introduction into the Soviet Air Force in 1982. It quickly became one of the USSR's primary frontline fighters and saw distribution to various Warsaw Pact countries during the Cold War. Though it didn't see combat in the 1980s, its mere presence was a significant factor in the military calculus of the time.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the MiG-29 found its way into the inventories of several successor states, most notably Russia. It also became one of the Soviet Union's most exported military aircraft, finding buyers across Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

In terms of combat, the MiG-29 has seen action in several conflicts. During the 1990s, Yugoslav MiG-29s were used in the Bosnian War and later in the Kosovo War, where they primarily faced off against NATO aircraft. Their performance was limited due to outdated avionics and lack of advanced munitions, leading to several losses. The MiG-29 has also seen action in the Eritrean-Ethiopian War, the Second Chechen War, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and more recently in the Syrian Civil War, where Russian-operated MiG-29s have conducted airstrikes.

In the Indo-Pakistani context, the MiG-29 serves with the Indian Air Force and has been operational since the early 1980s. It was notably active during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan, where it was used for patrol and escort duties.

Variants

• MiG-29A: The initial production version, also known as the Fulcrum-A by NATO, is primarily an air superiority fighter with limited ground-attack capability.
• MiG-29S: An upgraded version with improved avionics, increased fuel capacity, and the ability to carry and launch advanced R-77 (AA-12 'Adder') air-to-air missiles.
• MiG-29M/M2: These are significantly upgraded multirole variants, with a glass cockpit, advanced radar, and improved range and payload capabilities. The M2 is a two-seat version of the MiG-29M.
• MiG-29K/KUB: These are naval variants designed for operation from aircraft carriers. They feature folding wings, enhanced anti-ship and ground-attack capabilities, and the ability to perform short takeoffs and arrested landings.
• MiG-29UB: This is the two-seat training variant without radar and combat capability, meant for training pilots transitioning to the single-seat MiG-29.
• MiG-29SMT: A modernized version with updated avionics, a multi-function display in the cockpit, and compatibility with a broader range of weapons, including precision-guided munitions.
• MiG-35: Though sometimes considered a separate model, the MiG-35 is essentially an advanced variant of the MiG-29. It features the latest avionic systems, AESA radar, enhanced multirole capabilities, and significantly improved operational range and payload.
• MiG-29OVT: This variant features thrust-vectoring nozzles for enhanced agility, and it serves primarily as a technology demonstrator.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Russia	275 (+35)
	India	84
	Ukraine	51
	Egypt	44
	Uzbekistan	38
	North Korea	35
	Belarus	34
	Algeria	33 (+12)
	Myanmar	31
	Poland	29
	Syria	29
	Turkmenistan	24
	Yemen	23 (+32)
	Kazakhstan	23
	Iran	19
	Azerbaijan	15
	Bulgaria	13
	Serbia	13
	Slovakia	11
	Sudan	11
	Bangladesh	8
	Peru	8
	Eritrea	7
	Cuba	3
	Mongolia	2

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Azerbaijan • Bangladesh • Bulgaria • Belarus • Cuba • Czech Republic • Ex-East Germany • Algeria • Egypt • Eritrea • Ethiopia • Hungary • India • Iran • Iraq • Kazakhstan • Moldova • Myanmar • Mongolia • Malaysia • Peru • Poland • North Korea • Romania • Russia • Sudan • Serbia • Slovakia • Syria • Turkmenistan • Ukraine • Ex-USSR • Uzbekistan • Yemen • Ex-Yugoslavia

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Surface Vympel Kh-25 (AS-10 Karen)
• Air-to-Surface Vympel Kh-29 (AS-14 Kedge)
• Anti-Radiation Vympel Kh-31 Taifun (AS-17 Krypton)
• Air-to-Air Long-Range Vympel R-27 / K-27 (AA-10 Alamo)
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer)
• Air-to-Air Medium-Range Vympel R-77 RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder)
• Air-to-Surface Zvezda Kh-35 Uran (AS-20 Kayak)

Bombs payload:

• Low-Drag JSC NPO Basalt FAB-500
• Guided KAB-500

Photo of MiG-29 Fulcrum

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