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The MiG-29 fighter is and remains one of the most common modern combat aircraft in the world. The MiG-29 has a long history. Over the years of production, 1,600 MiG-29s were produced. Today, the Russian Air Force operates approximately 270 fighters, and the Russian Navy has an additional 40 fighters. The MiG-29 fighter has been in service with both our former allies and NATO countries. The MiG-29 fighter sold quite well abroad.

The MiG-29 fighter is undoubtedly one of the most successful fighters of the USSR. The uniqueness of the aircraft lies in the fact that it demonstrated unique technical characteristics. It could fly at high angles of attack. To sharply go up or hit a missile, the pilot could pull the control levers beyond the limiters, which was inaccessible to Western analogues of the fighter. The history of the birth and adoption of the aircraft was long.

History of the MiG-29

First developments and drawings for the creation of a light front-line fighter newest generation began in the late 1960s. The USSR learned about the US Air Force F-X program in 1969. The leadership of the USSR realized that the newest American aircraft was significantly superior to existing Soviet fighters. The MiG-21, then in service, was a modern fighter, but it was inferior in combat in terms of armament, flight range and improvement capabilities. The MiG-23 was fast enough, but not agile and maneuverable enough in close air combat. A high-tech and balanced fighter with excellent agility in battle was required.

In 1969, a competition was announced for the development and creation of a similar PFI aircraft. The future aircraft received the following tactical and technical requirements:

• large range of action;
• fast take-off, possibility of using short runways;
• excellent agility;
• reliable and unpretentious engine;
• heavy weapons;
• speed above 2M.

The aerodynamic design of the new promising front-line fighter was carried out by TsAGI together with the Sukhoi Design Bureau. Yakovlev Design Bureau and Sukhoi Design Bureau also took part in the competition, including Gurevich and Mikoyan showing their drawings. Design Bureau "MiG" was declared the winner.

However, in 1971 it became clear that the PFI aircraft was too expensive for the needs of the Air Force. Therefore, the project was divided into TPFI and LPFI. The Sukhoi Design Bureau began to develop drawings for a heavy aircraft, and lung development answered Mikoyan. Work on the LPFI began in 1974. The result of the work was Product 9, which received the designation MiG-29A. In 1977 he made his first flight.

Serial production, due to delays caused by the loss of two prototypes, was launched only in 1982 at plant No. 30 “Znamya Truda” in Moscow. In August 1983, serial MiG-29Bs began to be delivered to the Kubinka airbase for service. The aircraft successfully passed state acceptance in 1984, then its deliveries to front-line aviation began. By 1985, two air regiments with MiG-29 aircraft were fully equipped.

The MiG-29 was presented at the Farnborough Air Show in 1988, where it amazed Western observers. The RD-33 engine made it possible to demonstrate fast takeoff, outstanding mobility and high performance characteristics, but had increased smoke. The MiG-29 was actively exported and put into service in many countries. Subsequently, many different modifications of the fighter were developed and produced, including deck-based ones. MAPO named after. P.V. Dementyev produced approximately 1,200 MiG-29 fighters. In addition, almost 200 MiG-29UB were produced by the plant in Nizhny Novgorod. Today, the modernization of the MiG 29 and the production of the MiG-29KUB and MiG-29K are carried out at RSK MiG in Lukhovitsy near Moscow.

Fighter specifications

• Wing span – 11.36 m.
• The length of the aircraft together with the PVD boom is 17.32 m.
• The height of the aircraft is 4.73 m.
• The wing area is 38.06 m2.
• Weight empty plane is 10900 kg.
• The normal take-off weight of the aircraft is 15,300 kg.
• The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 18,100 kg.
• Internal fuel - 4300 l.
• PTB fuel - 1500 l.
• Engine – 2xTRDDF RD-33.
• Maximum thrust - 2x5040 kgf.
• Forced thrust - 2x8300 kgf.
• The maximum speed at altitude is 2450 km/h.
• The maximum ground speed is 1500 km/h.
• The practical range at high altitude is 1430 km.
• The practical range at low altitude is 710 km.
• The practical range with PTB is 2100 km.
• The maximum rate of climb is 19800 m/min.
• The service ceiling is 18,000 m.
• Maximum operational overload – 9 g.
• Crew – 1 person.

Weapons:

• 30-mm gun GSh-301.
• combat load on six underwing units is 2000 kg.
• two R-27R missiles, as well as 6 R-60M or R-73 missiles.
• bombs 500 or 250 kg, KMSU.
• NAR 80 S-8, installed in blocks S-24B and B-8M1.

Maneuver Champion

The MiG-29 is distinguished by unique flight performance characteristics, which predetermines:

• beautifully designed airframe;
• powerful RD-33 engine;
• large wing area and excellent aerodynamics.

As a result, the fighter shows the following unique technical characteristics:

• fast takeoff;
• high speed and maneuverability, both in horizontal and vertical planes;
• passing turns with small radii;
• performing unique aerobatic maneuvers. The MiG-29 in particular performs a “tail stall”;
• high rate of climb equal to 330 m/s.

As a result, in air combat the MiG-29 showed excellent technical characteristics and was beyond competition. Another advantage of this machine is its relative ease of maintenance, as well as the ability to take off from short, poorly prepared runways.

Aircraft design features

1. The MiG-29 is designed with spaced-apart engines using an integrated aerodynamic design, a twin-fin tail and a low-lying wing. The airframe is mainly made of steel and aluminum alloys; composite materials and titanium are also used.
2. The wing sweep angle is 42 degrees. along the leading edge, the wing has deflectable tips, ailerons and slotted flaps. The keels have an external camber of 6 degrees and a carbon fiber skin. The stabilizer is differentially deflectable and all-rotating. The chassis is tricycle with a two-wheel front and single-wheel main struts.
3. The aircraft uses the RD-33 turbofan engine. There is a gas turbine power unit GTDE-117 with a power of 66.2 kW. During takeoff and landing, the adjustable air intakes are covered with protective panels, resulting in air intake through five-section upper inlets. The fuel system includes two wing and five fuselage tanks with a total capacity of 4300 liters. It is possible to suspend two wing-mounted PTBs and a fuselage PTB (1150 l + 1500 l).
4. The fighter is equipped with SAU-451, an automatic control system, as well as SOS-3M, a limiting signal system. The armament is controlled by the SUV-29 system, which includes the BTsVM Ts100 radar sighting system and RLPK-29 (N0-19 “Sapphire-29”).
5. The pilot's cabin is equipped with the OEPrNK-29 complex, which includes the OEPS-29, the on-board computer control system Ts-100, the SUO-29, and the SN-29 navigation system. The display system with a photocontrol device is located on the windshield. The system also includes equipment KRU E502-20 "Biryuza", a decoy ejection system PPI-26, "Gardenia-1FU", an electronic jamming station, SPO-15LM "Beryoza".
6. The cockpit is equipped with a K-36DM ejection seat. An ejection seat makes it possible to leave the vehicle in a critical situation, even at zero altitude. Referred to by pilots as “Rita,” the voice indication system warns of a threat from the enemy and a dangerous flight mode, issuing voice messages in a female voice such as “enemy behind” or “landing approach too low.”

MiG-29 modifications

The following modifications were designed and created on the basis of the MiG-29:

• MiG-29UB, two-seat combat trainer aircraft;
• MiG-29 with active jamming equipment and increased fuel reserve;
• MiG-29S with new RVV-AE missiles and a modernized control system;
• MiG-29SE— modification of the MiG-29S for export;
• MiG-29M– distinguished by a wide range of means of destroying ground and air targets, a weapons control system, an increased flight range and a number of design differences;
• MiG-29K, a carrier-based fighter that has folding wings for a more compact placement of the fighter on a ship, a reinforced landing gear and a landing hook;
• MiG-29KUB— combat training carrier-based fighter and others;
• MiG-29AS— modernization of the aircraft for the Slovak Air Force, which includes a modified avionics, and also without a refueling system;
• MiG-29MU1— Ukrainian modernization of the fighter. The avionics is equipped with a satellite navigation system;
• MiG-29BM, Belarusian modernization. Additionally, a satellite navigation station and refueling facilities were installed, and the radar was modified for the use of air-to-ground weapons;
• MiG-29 Sniper, modernization for the Romanian army. Modernization according to NATO/ICAO standards was carried out by DASA (Germany), Aerostar Bacău (Romania), Elbit Systems (Israel).

Approximately 800 MiG-29 fighters of various modifications were exported to 30 countries. In total, more than 1,600 fighters were built.

Video: MiG-29

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	Medium frontline fighter
Developer:	OKB Mikoyan and Gurevich
Manufacturer:	MAPO named after. P. V. Dementieva Aircraft plant in Nizhny Novgorod
First flight:
Start of operation:
	Operated
Main operators:
Units produced:	1600 MiG-29 aircraft
Unit cost:	Estimated US$30 million (export)
Options:	MiG-33, MiG-35

Design

Modifications

Exploitation

Current situation

Locations

In service

Was in service

Disasters

Combat use

Kargil War (1999)

Other episodes

Specifications

Engine

Flight characteristics

Armament

(according to NATO codification: EnglishFulcrum , Falkram- A means to achieve a goal; fulcrum) is a Soviet/Russian fourth-generation multi-role fighter developed at the MiG Design Bureau.

History of creation

The first developments on the project of a new generation light front-line fighter (LFI) began in the late 1960s. In 1969, a competition was announced to develop such an aircraft. The design bureaus of Sukhoi and Yakovlev, as well as Mikoyan and Gurevich, took part in it. OKB "MiG" was recognized as the winner. Detailed development of the project began in 1971. The first flight of the prototype was made on October 6, 1977, and serial production began in 1982 at the Moscow plant No. 30 “Znamya Truda”. In August 1983, the first production MiG-29s began to arrive in the USSR Air Force. By the beginning of 1985, the first two air regiments flying the MiG-29 reached operational readiness. In 1988, the MiG-29 was first presented at the Farnborough International Air Show. This type of fighter was actively exported to many countries. Many different modifications were developed and released, including deck ones. By the end of 1991, the workshops of MAPO named after. P.V. Dementyev produced about 1,200 single-seat MiG-29 fighters. In addition, almost 200 MiG-29UB twins were assembled by a plant in Nizhny Novgorod.

Design

The aircraft is made according to a normal aerodynamic configuration, with a low-lying wing, a twin-fin tail and spaced-apart engines. The airframe is made mainly of aluminum alloys and steel, titanium and composite materials are also used. The wing sweep angle along the leading edge is 42 degrees; the wing has slotted flaps, ailerons and deflectable leading edges. The keels have a carbon fiber lining and an external camber of 6 degrees. The stabilizer is all-moving and differentially deflectable. The chassis is tricycle, with single-wheel main and two-wheel front struts. Ejection seat - K-36DM.

Engines type TRDDF RD-33. There is a gas turbine power unit GTDE-117 with a capacity of 66.2 kW. During takeoff and landing, adjustable air intakes are covered with protective panels and air is taken in through five-section upper inlets. The fuel system consists of five fuselage and two wing tanks with a total capacity of 4,300 l (4,540 l). It is possible to mount a fuselage PTB with a capacity of 1500 liters and two wing PTBs with a capacity of 1150 liters each.

The vehicle is equipped with an automatic control system SAU-451 and a system of limiting signals SOS-3M. The SUV-29 weapons control system consists of the RLPK-29 radar sighting system (N0-19 “Sapphire-29”), and the Ts100 (or Ts101) on-board computer.

The optical-electronic sighting and navigation complex OEPrNK-29 (S-31) consists of an optical-electronic sighting system OEPS-29, which, in turn, consists of a laser optical-location station KOLS and a helmet-mounted target designation system "Schel-3UM". The complex also includes: the SN-29 navigation system, the SUO-29 weapon control system, the Ts-100 digital computer, and a windshield display system with a photocontrol device.

Radio command line equipment (CRU) E502-20 “Turquoise”. Radar radiation warning station - SPO-15LM "Bereza", radio-electronic jamming station "Gardenia-1FU", decoy ejection system PPI-26.

Modifications

• MiG-29 (9-12)- front-line fighter, the first production modification of the MiG-29
• MiG-29 (9-12A)- export modification 9-12, supplied to the Warsaw Pact countries and other countries; changes were made to the export model in RLPK-29. They were equipped with R-27R1 and R-27T1 missiles, which had degraded characteristics relative to the basic modifications.
• MiG-29B (9-12B)- export modification 9-12, supplied to countries not members of the Warsaw Treaty Organization; changes were made to the weapons control system (SUV-29E) in the export model. They were equipped with R-27R1 and R-27T1 missiles, which had degraded characteristics relative to the basic modifications.
• MiG-29 (9-13)- front-line fighter. It differs from the 9-12 modification by the presence of a built-in electronic warfare station "Gardenia", the ability to attach two underwing PTBs and an increased combat load weight.

Exploitation

Current situation

On this moment The Russian Air Force operates 270 MiG-29s, and the Russian Navy has 40 MiG-29 fighters. On December 5, 2008, in the Trans-Baikal Territory, near the Domna airfield, a MiG-29 fighter crashed during a training flight. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Valeryan Kokarev, died. The investigation showed that the cause of the disaster was the destruction of the aircraft's tail due to overloads that exceeded the permissible limits. Flights of MiG-29 aircraft in Russia were temporarily suspended; it is reported that the tail unit was removed from all aircraft and sent to the manufacturing plant. An inspection of the entire fleet of aircraft of this type revealed the presence of cracks and metal delamination in the power elements of airframes with not yet expired service life.

On February 4, 2009, a decision was made to resume flights of part of the fleet (about 30%) of MiG-29 fighters. Those fighters whose inspection did not reveal the presence of corrosion, which, according to preliminary data, became the cause of the disaster on December 5, 2008, were allowed to fly. A project to modernize fighter aircraft by MAPO MiG is being considered to return aircraft with eliminated deficiencies to service. The lifespan of a fighter airframe is 2.5 thousand flight hours, or 20 years of service; as of 2009, the lifespan of some of their airframes is already more than 25 years. The Russian Air Force received 34 new MiGs from the failed Algerian contract. In 2010, the final batch of three aircraft was delivered, so during 2008-2010 the Air Force received 28 MiG-29SMT and 6 MiG-29UBT. The new fighters are stationed at the 6963rd air base near Kursk (formerly the 14th GIAP).

Hijacking

On May 20, 1989, Captain Alexander Zuev, having lulled his colleagues with a cake containing sleeping pills, flew on a MiG-29 to Turkey. Airplane, to avoid conflict situation, was returned to the USSR, the pilot received political asylum in the USA. Subsequently, Zuev wrote an autobiographical book “Fulcrum: A Top Gun Pilot’s Escape from the Soviet Empire.”

Locations

• 6963rd Air Base (formerly 14th GvIAP) - Kursk-Vostochny (airport)
• 6969th Air Base (formerly 19th GvIAP) - Millerovo airfield
• 28th IAP - Andreapol airfield - disbanded
• 31st IAP - Zernograd airfield - disbanded
• 6982nd Air Base (formerly 120th IAP) - Domna airfield
• 63530th Erebuni Air Base (Armenia River, Yerevan)

In service

The list is compiled mainly from the following sources: D. Donald, J. Lake. Encyclopedia military aviation(M.: Omega, 2003); Belyaev V.V. Russian modern aviation (M.: AST, Astrel, 2001); Frontline fighter MiG-29 (army.lv); Greg Goebel. The Mikoyan MiG-29 “Fulcrum” (vectorsite.net).

• Russia - about 310 aircraft (270 - Air Force, 40 - Navy). Many aircraft have had problems with tail corrosion. 90 were rejected.
• Azerbaijan - MiG-29 and 2 MiG-29UB were purchased from Ukraine. The aircraft have been modified in accordance with the Ukrainian MiG-29 modernization program.

• Algeria - 25 for 2010. The first aircraft were received in 1994. In March 2006, a contract was signed for the supply of 28 MiG-29SMT and 6 two-seat MiG-29UBT. In the same year, deliveries of fighters began, but the very next year, after the delivery of 15 MiG-29s, the Algerian Air Force refused further deliveries and decided to return the already delivered fighters, citing the poor quality of the delivered vehicles. In February 2008, Rosoboronexport entered into an agreement with Algeria on the return of fighter jets. The aircraft that were returned and were in production (24 pieces) were purchased by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the Russian Air Force.
• Bangladesh - in 1999, 8 aircraft were received (6 fighters and 2 combat trainers).
• Belarus - 41 in 2010, after the collapse of the USSR, about 100 aircraft remained. Some of them were sold to Algeria, Peru and Eritrea. By the 2000s, 40-50 aircraft were in service.
• Bulgaria - 20 as of 2010; in 1990, 22 aircraft were received (18 fighters, 4 combat trainers). They are in service with two fighter aviation regiments (in Ravnets and Yambol). In March 2006, an agreement was signed with RSK MiG on the overhaul and modernization of 16 fighters. By the end of May 2009, the contract was fully completed.

• Vietnam - 4 MiG-29SMT received in 2010
• Hungary - since 1993, 28 aircraft have been received (22 fighters and 6 combat trainers, the transaction amount is 800 million US dollars) to pay off the debt of the USSR, the aircraft entered service with the 47th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Kecskemet). Currently, MiG-29s are in service with the 59th tactical air base (59. “Szentgyörgyi Dezso” Harcászati ​​Repülobázis). 13 aircraft of this type in 2007-2008 they underwent a major overhaul under the supervision of RSK MiG. On December 21, 2010, the Hungarian government announced its intention to modernize and then auction the last twelve MIG-29s remaining in service with the Hungarian Air Force. As of 2010, flights on the MIG-29 are no longer carried out.
• India - 48 in 2010, the first foreign country to receive the MiG-29. Since 1986, according to various estimates, about 70-80 aircraft have been delivered. In addition, in 2004, India ordered 16 carrier-based fighters: 12 single-seat MiG-29K and 4 double-seat MiG-29KUB. In 2008, a plan was approved for the purchase of another 29 fighters.
• Iran - 35 as of 2010. Since 1990, according to various sources, 14 or 17 vehicles have been received. Another number of MiG-29s flew from Iraq during the 1991 war and were put into service.

• Peru - 20 for 2010; in 1996, 16 single-seat MiG-29S and 2 double-seat MiG-29UB were purchased from Belarus; in 1998, 3 new MiG-29SE were purchased from Russia. Currently, 19 fighters are in operation (one was lost in an accident in 2001, another was taken out of service). In 2008, a contract was signed to modernize all 19 fighters.
• Poland - 32 as of 2010; in 1989-1990, 12 aircraft were received (9 fighters and 3 combat trainers). Later, 10 aircraft were received from the Czech Republic and another 22 from Germany.
• Syria 40+ aircraft as of 2010.

Was in service

Disasters

June 23, 2011 in the area of ​​the Kabanovsky farmstead ( Astrakhan region) while performing complex aerobatics during a test flight, the carrier-based fighter MiG-29KUB crashed, taking off from the Akhtubinsk airfield, which belonged to the Russian aircraft manufacturing corporation MiG and was intended for delivery to the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. At first, information appeared in the press that the pilot and navigator managed to eject, but died. Later, representatives of the Ministry of Defense officially announced that both pilots, Oleg Spichka and Alexander Kruzhalin, died as a result of the disaster.

To investigate, a special commission of the Ministry of Defense was created with the participation of representatives of the military-industrial complex: and in particular, it was announced that a group of specialists from the MIG corporation, led by General Director Sergei Korotkov, flew to the site of the plane crash and would take part in the investigation of the accident. By decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Colonel General Alexander Zelin, flights of MiG-29 fighters similar to the one that crashed were suspended until the causes of the disaster were clarified.

According to unconfirmed reports, the disaster occurred due to a coincidence of circumstances (bad weather conditions, errors in documentation when calculating the test flight plan, in the prevailing psychology of people and their interaction during any test work).

Combat use

Gulf War (1991)

The decision to purchase the MiG-29 was made by Iraq in 1988; initially it was planned to purchase up to 130 vehicles, but the fall in oil prices and international isolation did not allow this plan to be implemented. The first aircraft arrived in the spring of 1990 and were based at Talili Air Base. 36 MiG-29(9-12B) and 6 MiG-29UB were the most modern fighters of the Iraqi Air Force, but during Operation Desert Storm they were unable to prove themselves due to the complete air supremacy of the Multinational Forces aircraft. On January 17, according to private researchers citing Iraqi data, MiGs attacked the B-52G (R-27R missile), F-111F and Italian Tornado IDS (R-60MK missiles), but they were not successful. According to the Iraqi Air Force, MiG-29 pilots scored one aerial victory, shooting down a British Tornado of the 29th Squadron on January 18 with an R-60MK missile; this is neither confirmed nor denied by Western sources, since the aircraft in question (serial number ZA467) disappeared during a night flight and the reason for the loss of the aircraft was not officially established after that.

On the first night of the war, Iraqi fighters intercepted a group of American F-15Es. According to the testimony of American pilots, during this interception one of the MiG-29s accidentally shot down its comrade (according to various sources, the victim was a MiG-23 or another MiG-29).

January 17 F-15C(MSIP) No. 85-0125, No. 85-0107, No. 85-0108 58th Esq. 33rd extermination. US Air Force wing shot down 3 MiG-29s with AIM-7M missiles. On January 18, F-15C(MSIP) No. 85-0122 and No. 85-0014 of the same US Air Force unit shot down 2 MiG-29s, with an AIM-7M missile and in close combat, respectively.

In addition, 4 planes flew to Iran (where they remained after the war) and a number could have been lost on the ground as a result of MNF airstrikes.

Conflict in Transnistria (1991-1992)

36 MiG-29 aircraft of the aviation regiment Black Sea Fleet went to Moldova after the collapse of the USSR.

Ethiopian-Eritrean War (1998-2000)

After the end of the first phase of the armed conflict in 1998, Eritrea urgently began to rearm its air Force, which at that time consisted mainly of light combat training aircraft. Several MiG-29S, produced in the 80s, were purchased from Belarus. However, the MiGs met a worthy opponent over the Horn of Africa: almost simultaneously, the Ethiopian Air Force purchased from Russia a batch of more modern Su-27SKs, equipped with more advanced weapons. During two rounds of combat that followed in 1999 and 2000, Russian fourth-generation fighters met each other in the air several times. The advantage remained on the side of the more modern Su-27SK: they shot down one enemy aircraft on February 25 and 26, 1999, as well as on May 16, 2000. In addition, in the battle on May 16, one MiG was severely damaged and may have been beyond repair. Thus, 3 or 4 MiG-29s were lost during the conflict. According to information from Austrian researcher Tom Cooper, during the fighting, MiG-29 fighters managed to shoot down three Ethiopian MiG-21s.

NATO operation against Yugoslavia (1999)

All 16 MiG-29 aircraft available to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were consolidated into the 127th Fighter Squadron of the 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Batainica airfield near Belgrade). They were used to a limited extent against NATO aircraft, flying a total of 11 sorties during the entire period of the conflict. During flights on the MiG-29, there were periodic failures of on-board equipment, which made it difficult to conduct air battles and became the reason for post-war proceedings. After the commander of the 127th squadron, Colonel Milenko Pavlovich, died in an air battle on May 4, sorties to intercept manned enemy aircraft stopped.

According to some reports, during the war, MiG-29 pilots scored 6 aerial victories. A number of sources (including Russian author Vladimir Ilyin and Argentinean Diego Zampini) claim that one of them was the destruction of the F-117 stealth aircraft on March 27 and that this victory was credited to Lieutenant Colonel Gvozden Dyukich. According to the official website of the Serbian Ministry of Defense, the F-117 was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile battery under the command of Zoltan Dani. As the Serbian newspaper Politika reports, “Gvozden Dukic” (more correctly Djukic, Gvozden Ђукћ) is a nickname used by Zoltan Dani during the war. Our own losses turned out to be significant: a total of 11 MiG-29s were lost, of which 6 were shot down in air battles and 5 were written off in various reasons(mostly destroyed on the ground; for detailed information on the losses of Yugoslav aircraft, see the article List of aviation losses of the parties during the NATO war against Yugoslavia (1999)). Captain 1st Class Zoran Radoslavljevic and Colonel Milenko Pavlovich were killed; Majors Arizanov, Nikolic, Tesanovich and Lieutenant Colonel Peric managed to eject safely.

Kargil War (1999)

During operations against Kashmiri militants and Pakistani army units during the Kargil War in May-July 1999, Indian MiG-29s escorted Mirage 2000 fighter-bombers, from which laser-guided bombs were used.

Conflict in Darfur (2003-present)

The Sudanese Air Force received several MiG-29s in 2003-2004, pledging not to use them in combat operations in Darfur, where ethnic conflict continued. However, this commitment was not fulfilled, and in May 2008 (presumably during the fighting on May 10), Darfur rebels managed to shoot down one MiG-29 in the Omdurman area. According to some sources, the plane was piloted by a former Russian Air Force pilot who died during the ejection; The Russian Ministry of Defense denied this information.

Other episodes

Two Yemeni MiG-29s flew several combat missions during a short civil war in Yemen in 1994.

During the First Chechen War, Russian MiG-29s patrolled Chechen airspace. They were not directly involved in hostilities and had no casualties.

One Cuban Air Force MiG-29UB was involved in the incident on February 24, 1996, when two light Cessna 337 aircraft of the private organization Brothers to the Rescue, based in the United States, were shot down. These planes searched for boats carrying Cuban emigrants in the Straits of Florida. There are conflicting reports as to whether the Cessnas invaded Cuban airspace or not, but they were intercepted by MiG-23 and MiG-29 fighters. After a series of signals, the MiG-29 shot down the planes with R-73 missiles.

On April 20, 2008, a Georgian Hermes 450 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over Abkhazia. The Georgian side stated that the UAV was destroyed by a Russian MiG-29 that took off from Gudauta airfield. Russian officials rejected this possibility, and Abkhazia said the victory was achieved by an L-39 aircraft from the national air force. On May 26, the UN Monitoring Mission in Georgia published a report based on Georgian data, in which it suggested the possible reliability of the Georgian version of events and classified the attacking aircraft captured in the UAV video as a MiG-29 or Su-27. Subsequently, the reliability of this video recording was refuted, since the image of the Mig-29 aircraft used there was used with a missile suspension configuration on the end pylons, which was impossible for this aircraft.

During the Five-Day War in August 2008, the MiG-29, together with the Su-27, controlled the airspace in the military conflict zone. Several times he flew to intercept air targets. Perhaps on August 10, 2008, a Georgian attack aircraft was shot down over Gufta (“From the above list, the Georgians’ share remains the Su-25, presumably shot down in an air battle on August 10, 2008...” - “Aviation losses in the Five-Day War.”).

Results of air battles between MiG-29 and F-15 and F-16 during wars and conflicts

In 1975-76 4th generation fighters F-16 and F-15 began to enter service with the United States. In the USSR, the MiG-29 (also a 4th generation fighter) was put into service at the end of 1983.

The 1991 Gulf War and the 1999 NATO operation against Yugoslavia saw MiG-29 dogfights against F-16s and F-15s.

According to official data from the United States and NATO, during these wars and conflicts, a total of 11 MiG-29 fighters were destroyed by F-15 and F-16 fighters without losses on their part.

According to the official website of the Serbian Ministry of Defense, Nebojša Ðukanovic, who was the commander of the 127th squadron (flying the MiG-29) in 1999, confirmed that 6 MiG-29s were lost in air battles.

Some air battles were publicly and in great detail described by their direct participants (pilots) in documentary and journalistic broadcasts.

Performance characteristics

Specifications

• Crew: 1 or 2 people
• Length: 17.32 m
• Wingspan: 11.36 m
• Height: 4.73 m
• Wing area: 38.06 m²
• Wing sweep angle: 42°
• Weight:
• empty: 10900 kg
• normal take-off weight: 15180 kg
• maximum take-off weight: 18480 kg
• 476 kg/m²
• 399 kg/m²

Engine

• Engine's type: Twin-circuit turbojet with afterburner (as well as controlled thrust vector on the MiG-29OVT and MiG-35)
• Model:"RD-33"
• Traction:
• maximum: 2 × 5040 kgf
• on afterburner: 2 × 8300 kgf
• Engine weight: 1055 kg
• Deflectable thrust vector: for MiG-29OVT and MiG-35 with RD-133 engines
• Thrust vector deflection angles:±15° in any direction
• Thrust vector deflection speed: 60°/s
• Thrust-to-weight ratio:
• at maximum take-off weight: 0.92 kgf/kg
• at normal take-off weight: 1.09 kgf/kg

Radar

• Escorting 10 air targets and firing at the most dangerous
• Minimum speed difference between fighter and target 150 km/h
• The speed of the attacked target is 230-2500 km/h
• The height of the attacked target is 30-23000 m
• Target detection range with an EPR of 3 m in the PPS at an altitude of more than 3000 m - 50-70 km
• Helicopter detection range (speed over 180 km/h) in ZPS 23 km, PPS - 17 km

Flight characteristics

Armament

• Cannon: 30 mm aircraft gun GSh-30-1, 150 rounds
2180 kg
• Hanging points: 7
• Suspended weapons:
• R-60M
• R-27R1
• B-8M1
• S-24B
• FAB-500M62
• OFAB-250-270
• KMGU-2
• ZB-5000

MiG-29(according to NATO codification: Fulcrum) - Soviet supersonic high-altitude fighter-interceptor of the 3rd generation, developed at the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the late 1970s.

History of the MiG-29

The first work on the creation of 4th generation fighters began in the USSR and the USA in the late 1960s. Having quite effective fighters in service, the USSR was in no hurry to create a replacement for them, however, the details of the American F-X programs, the brainchild of which became McDonnell Douglas, forced the country's leadership to reconsider their plans. The MiG-21 was fast, but inferior in range and weapons, and the MiG-23 flew further, but was not very maneuverable. As a result, in 1969, a competition was initiated to create a PFI (advanced front-line fighter), in which the bureaus of Mikoyan and Gurevich, Sukhoi and Yakovlev participated. The competition was won by the MiG Design Bureau.

However, during development it became clear that making an absolutely universal aircraft was too difficult and expensive. It was decided to divide the PFI program into two: LPFI (light), which was handled by the MiG Design Bureau, and TPFI (heavy), which was taken over by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. The result of LPFI was the MiG-29, and TPFI, respectively.

The first flight of the prototype "Product 9" - MiG-29A was made on October 6, 1977. Due to delays associated with the loss of two prototypes in accidents, serial production was launched only in 1982 at the Moscow Znamya Truda plant. In August 1983, the first production MiG-29Bs began to arrive at the Kubinka airbase. The vehicle successfully passed state acceptance tests in 1984, after which its deliveries to front-line aviation units began.

After the delivery of the first machines, the distribution of tasks between TPFI and LPFI became clear. The heavy Su-27, with its large range, had the unusual and dangerous task of deep air search and destruction of advanced NATO aircraft, the smaller MiG-29 replaced the MiG-23 in front-line aviation.

In September 1988, the aircraft was first presented at the Farnborough International Air Show. The public highly appreciated the new aircraft, although they noted the high smoke quality of the RD-33 engines, although this can hardly be called a combat disadvantage.

MiG-29 design

The aircraft is made according to an integrated aerodynamic design, with a low-lying wing, a twin-tail tail and spaced-apart engines. The airframe is made mainly of aluminum alloys and steel, titanium and composite materials are also used. The wing has slotted flaps, ailerons and deflectable leading edges. The keels have a carbon fiber lining and an external camber of 6 degrees. The chassis is tricycle, with single-wheel main and two-wheel front struts.

TRDDF RD-33 engines. During takeoff and landing, adjustable air intakes are covered with protective panels and air is taken in through the upper inlets.

Modifications

• MiG-29 (9-12)-first serial modification
• MiG-29 (9-12A)- export modification 9-12 for ATS countries with limited combat characteristics.
• MiG-29B (9-12B)- export modification 9-12, supplied to countries not included in the ATS with limited combat characteristics.
• MiG-29UPG (9-20)- modernization of the MiG-29B for the Indian Air Force. Includes installation of an additional conformal dorsal fuel tank and in-flight refueling equipment, installation of RD-33M-3 engines, as well as parts of foreign-made on-board equipment.
• MiG-29 (9-13)- front-line fighter. It differs from the 9-12 modification by the presence of a built-in electronic warfare station "Gardenia", the ability to attach two underwing PTBs and an increased combat load weight.
• MiG-29S (9-13S) - further development modifications 9−13, the R-77 missile was included in the range of weapons, the radar now has a mode for simultaneous attack of two air targets.
• MiG-29SD- multi-role fighter, the ability to refuel in the air has been added, the resource has been increased.
• MiG-29N- modification MiG-29SD for the Malaysian Air Force.
• MiG-29SM- modification of the MiG-29S, with the ability to use high-precision air-to-surface weapons.
• MiG-29SMT (9-17, 9-18, 9-19)- single-seat, modernized version of the MiG-29SM fighter. Developed in 1999-2004.
• MiG-29K (9-31, 9-41) - carrier-based fighter
• MiG-29KUB (9-47)- carrier-based combat training fighter.
• MiG-29KVP- an experimental aircraft for practicing springboard takeoffs and aerofinish landings.
• MiG-29UB (9-51)- combat training fighter, does not have a radar.
• MiG-29UBT (9-52)- the design is close to the MiG-29SMT, but is still a modification of the MiG-29UB combat training aircraft.
• MiG-29M/MiG-29M1- a single-seat multi-role fighter of the “4++” generation with an increased flight range, an increased combat load and an expanded range of on-board weapons.
• MiG-29M2- a two-seat multi-role fighter of the “4++” generation with an increased flight range, an increased combat load and an expanded range of on-board weapons.
• MiG-29M/OVT- experimental version with deflectable thrust vector converted from the MiG-29M fighter, tail number 156 (9- 15 6 -th flight prototype)
• - ship modification. Delivered to the Russian Navy and the Indian Navy
• MiG-33(MiG-29M) (9-15)- a multi-role fighter, compared to early modifications of the MiG-29, significant changes were made to the design and composition of the avionics, the range of weapons was expanded and the fuel tanks were increased.
• (9-61) - deep modernization of the MiG-29M
• MiG-35D (9-67)- two-seat version of the MiG-35
• MiG-29AS- modernization of the MiG-29A for the Slovak Air Force according to the program MiG-29SD without a refueling system and with modified avionics.
• MiG-29MU1— Ukrainian modernization. The range of detection and destruction of air targets has been increased by 20%.

Video MiG-29: Demonstration flight at the ILA-2014 airshow

Operation of the MiG-29

Currently, the Russian Air Force operates 270 units. At the end of February 2012, the Russian Ministry of Defense entered into a contract with the MiG aircraft corporation for the supply of 24 carrier-based MiG-29K/KUB fighters. Under the terms of the agreement, the Russian military department will receive 20 MiG-29K and four MiG-29KUB in 2012-2015. A contract has been concluded for the supply of 16 MiG-29SMT multirole fighters to the Russian Air Force.

In service with foreign countries:

• Algeria - 25 for 2010.
• Azerbaijan - 15 MiG-29 and 3 MiG-29UB purchased from Ukraine.
• Bangladesh - 6 MiG-29 and 2 MiG-29UB, as of 2013.
• Belarus - 41 aircraft, as of 2010. After the collapse of the USSR, about 100 aircraft remained. Some of them were sold to Algeria, Peru and Eritrea.
• Bulgaria - 18 for 2010. Vietnam
• Vietnam - 4 MiG-29SMT received in 2010
• Israel - 3 aircraft belonging to an unknown country were tested in 1997.
• India - 67 MiG-29, as of 2013. India became the first foreign country, which received an export version. Since 1986, according to various estimates, about 70-80 aircraft have been delivered. In addition, in 2004, India ordered 16 carrier-based fighters: 12 single-seat MiG-29K and 4 double-seat MiG-29KUB. In 2008, a plan was approved for the purchase of another 29 fighters.
• Iran - 35 as of 2010. Since 1990, according to various sources, 14 or 17 vehicles have been received. Another number flew from Iraq during the 1991 war and were put into service.
• Yemen - 18 as of 2010.
• Kazakhstan - 40 MiG-29, as of 2010.
• DPRK - 35 MiG-29, as of 2010.
• Cuba - in 1989-1990 a small number was received (according to various sources, 12 or 16 aircraft).
• Myanmar - 10 MiG-29, as of 2010. Peru
• Peru - 17 MiG-29S/SMT and 2 MiG-29UBV, as of August 2012. Poland
• Poland - 32 MiG-29, as of 2010. Syria
• Syria - 19 MiG-29, as of 2010.
• Serbia - 3 MiG-29 and 1 MiG-29UB, as of 2013. After the collapse of Yugoslavia, all aircraft went to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Most were lost in the 1999 war.
• Slovakia - 12 MiG-29, as of 2010.
• Sudan - 12 MiG-29, as of 2010 Turkmenistan.
• Turkmenistan - 24 MiG-29, as of 2010.
• Uzbekistan - 30 MiG-29, as of 2010.
• Ukraine - 160 MiG-29, as of 2013. After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine received about 240 aircraft.
• Sri Lanka - 4 MiG-29SM and 1 MiG-29UB were delivered in 2008.
• Eritrea - 10 MiG-29, as of 2010.

Combat use

Since its introduction into service, the MiG-29 has participated in many military conflicts. Among them:

• War in Afghanistan (1979-1989)
• Gulf War (1991)
• Conflict in Transnistria (1991-1992)
• Ethiopian-Eritrean War (1998-2000)
• NATO operation against Yugoslavia (1999)
• Kargil War (1999)
• War in South Ossetia (2008)
• Conflict in Darfur (2003-present)
• Civil war in Syria (2011-present)
• Armed conflict in eastern Ukraine (2014)

Results of air battles between MiG-29 and F-15 and F-16 during wars and conflicts

The 1991 Gulf War and the 1999 NATO operation against Yugoslavia saw MiG-29 dogfights against F-16s and F-15s.

It is worth noting that the battles took place with absolute quantitative superiority in the air of NATO aircraft, not only against similar aircraft, but also with the unilateral use of other aircraft, such as interceptors and AWACS aircraft, which is confirmed by the roster of the air forces of the countries participating in the conflict, as well as the stated number of aircraft used.

In the early 70s, the two design bureaus of Mikoyan and Sukhoi were tasked with developing two new promising fighters that would differ from each other only in their weight. The task was successfully completed - the creation of a light front-line fighter ended with unsurpassed maneuverability MiG 29, and the heavy version of the fighter turned into an excellent long-range fighter-interceptor.

The history of the creation of the MiG 29 fighter

The first prototype of the MiG 29

The first prototype (at the factory it was Series 9) was not at all like later modifications and it took off in October 1977. The plane was piloted by test pilot V. Fedotov. The second prototype made its first flight at the end of 1979, it was distinguished by a shortened and shifted rear shock absorber on the front landing gear, an auxiliary power unit and a GSh-30-1 single-barrel cannon. The front chassis shifted back changed the trajectory of foreign objects flying out from under the front pillar and they no longer entered the air intake.

The next prototype 903 suffered a plane crash, it was replaced by the 908, then several pre-production vehicles followed, a series of flights were completed on them to test the behavior of the vehicle at high angles of attack and test the control systems. These tests were carried out by test pilot V. Menitsky and these flights showed the ability to fly on the verge of the impossible.

Serial production of new light front-line fighters began in 1982 and already in August 1983 the first ones were deployed at the Kubinka airfield. The modification of the vehicle under the designation was intended for the Warsaw Pact countries; a simpler version was planned to be supplied to other countries.

The 29C variant received air-to-air missiles with a radar-guided head, and the export version could track several targets and destroy two at once. The export aircraft acquired a control system.

Subsequently, this aircraft had many modifications - it was a carrier-based fighter operating from an aircraft carrier, an aircraft with variable thrust vectoring, and a training fighter. MiG-29 UB. The best and most recent version is designated MiG-29 SMT. There could have been more front-line fighters of this brand if in the 90s they had not given preference, as the designers considered, to a more promising one Su-27. But still, more than one and a half thousand different modifications were given a ticket to the sky.

Description of the MiG 29 aircraft

The aerodynamic layout of the aircraft is made according to an integrated circuit - it is a low-lying wing, an empennage of two separate fins, two engines located parallel in the rear part of the fuselage and spaced relative to each other. The airframe was manufactured using a welded joint method without overlap, which greatly simplified the design. Materials used: steel and aluminum alloy, titanium and composites.

The wing has decent mechanization - slotted flaps, deflectable slats and ailerons, a sweep angle of 42 degrees. The keels are covered with carbon fiber and their camber is 60 degrees. The rotary stabilizer has a differentiated deflection.

The pilot's canopy has a teardrop shape; the canopy without binding provides excellent visibility in flight, during landing and takeoff. The cabin itself is quite spacious and is equipped with a K-63 ejection seat.

Equipped with two powerful RD-33 turbojet engines on which compressors are installed low pressure with four steps, high pressure created by a nine-stage compressor. TRDDFs develop a thrust of 81.42 kN. Until now, the thrust-to-weight ratio has not been surpassed by any aircraft on the planet.

Engine RD-33

From the very beginning, this machine had an insufficient fuel supply and, as a result, a short flight duration. Early modifications of the aircraft had only wing and fuselage tanks, total stock fuel was 4365 liters. The designers eventually resolved this issue and the 29M and 29SMT models already had an increased fuel supply inside: the first - in the wing bulges instead of the air intakes, the second - above the fuselage in a 900-liter tank, immediately behind the pilot’s cabin, giving the aircraft a humpbacked appearance.

The small fuel supply was more than offset by excellent handling on the verge of maximum angles of attack. Such maneuverability in air combat made this front-line fighter especially dangerous; many opponents could not withstand what the pilots did in this machine at extreme angles of attack and high overloads. At the same time, it did not have a mechanical control system and it remained the most maneuverable jet aircraft in the history of aviation.

After modifying the chassis and installing air intakes to prevent foreign objects from entering the engines, the vehicle was operated from short and poorly prepared strips. This front-line fighter was simple and unpretentious in maintenance.

Flight characteristics of the MiG 29 aircraft:

• The highest speed is at an altitude of 11 thousand. m in the absence of suspensions - 2415 km/h.
• The maximum speed at the ground is 1500 km/h.
• The Mach number at 11 thousand meters is no more than 2.3 M, at sea level no higher than 1.22 M.
• At maximum take-off weight take-off speed – 220 km/h.
• The descent speed during landing is 260 km/h.
• Landing speed – 235 km/h.
• The run distance using a braking parachute is 700 m.
• Rate of climb – 330 m/sec.
• Permissible overloads are 9G at M=0.85 and 7G at M over 0.85.
• Practical ceiling – 17 thousand m.
• The longest range when fully charged is 2000 km. When ferrying aircraft with three drop tanks – 3200 km.

Armament of the MiG 29 fighter:

• Maximum weight – 3000 kg on six pylons.
• Gun GSh-30-1.
• Air-to-air missiles R-27, R-73, R-60.
• Air-to-surface weapons: FAB-250 and FAB-500 bombs.
• Cluster bomb KMGU-2.
• NURS 57 mm, 130 mm and 240 mm.
• Atomic bomb RN-40.

Interesting facts from the practice of flying a MiG 29 fighter

Aerobatics MiG 29

Interestingly, it could take off on one engine and start the second one already in flight - this saved time when taking off on alert.

When performing the “bell” aerobatics maneuver, when the car, having accelerated, goes vertically upward, it seems to freeze there and then falls down, and at the same time it disappeared from the radar screens, imagine what was happening at the tracking points.

In air combat, the pilot had an advantage - a flight helmet with a monocular sight, which made it possible to catch the target even when the nose of the plane was pointed in the other direction; in combination with the use of the R-73 missile, this was deadly for the enemy.

The rough skin that covered the aircraft's body created an intermediate layer that improved flight performance.

Another interesting, but bitter fact. In May 1989, during his regular duty, Captain Zuev, having lulled his colleagues with a cake containing sleeping pills, took them to Turkey. To avoid conflict, the Turkish authorities immediately returned the plane to Russia, and Captain Zuev, pretending to be a military dissident, received asylum in the United States.

But be that as it may, later modifications and its wonderful continuation still guard the air borders of our Motherland.

Video: vertical take-off of a MiG 29 aircraft

Video: Riding a fighter into the stratosphere: unique panoramic footage from the MiG-29