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NEW MIG-29 EXPORT VERSIONS POISED FOR MAIDEN FLIGHT

In recent years it has seemed as if Sukhoi were the only contender left on the Russian fighter scene. Whereas sales of the Su-27 family were bringing in healthy foreign currency earnings, the MiG-29 has had to wait two years for any new export orders. But now the Russian aircraft manufacturer, Rossiskaya Samoletostroitelnaya Korporatsiya MiG (RSK MiG), believes the prospects for a revival of its fighter are good. Four variants which share a largely common airframe are now being offered for land- and carrier-based operations.

The biggest hopes are currently pinned on a contract said to be all but signed with the Indian Navy, which has a requirement for around 50 aircraft for the former Russian aircraft carrier, the Admiral Gorshkov. The aircraft at issue here are the MiG-29K and the MiG-29KUB - new derivatives of the naval version that has been flying since the end of the 1980s.

The latest K model (known as the 9.41) has a number of new features compared with the previous 9.31 (similarly known as the MiG-29K), such as a digital fly-by-wire flight control system and increased area slotted flaps. Earlier plans to use aluminium lithium in the fuselage have been dropped, as the resulting 80kg weight saving was out of proportion to the increase this would have meant to production cost.

The MiG-29K is powered by a Klimov RD-33 Series 3M turbofan. This version which is to have a useful life of 2000 hours, is fully protected against corrosion and has a smoke-free combustion chamber. Afterburner thrust can be briefly increased from 81.4kN to 86.3 kN for aircraft carrier launches. To accommodate more powerful engines, the air intake of the MiG-29K has been enlarged. Klimov is aiming to achieve over 100kN thrust for the RD-33-10M.

The 9.41's normal take-off weight is given by RSK MiG at 18,500 kg, with maximum take-off weight of 22,400 kg. The 5,100 kg fuel capacity gives an operational radius of 850 km (with four R-77 air-to-air guided missiles) or 1,150km (with two X-31 anti-ship guided missiles plus auxiliary tank).

Only the cockpit distinguishes the two-seater MiG-29KUB (known as the 9.47), which is still under development, from the K variant. Its range is expected to be between seven and ten per cent less. Otherwise, the two-seater will be fitted with the same systems and hence, unlike the previous MiG-29UB trainer, is fully combat capable.

The Ramenskoye PKB avionics design bureau is responsible for integration of the MiG-29K avionics suite. This is based on a MIL-STD 1553-compliant data bus and the Z90 CPU. The radar is the Zhuk-M from Fasotron, which can track ten targets simultaneously and illuminate four. It also has an air-to-ground operating mode. The nose-mounted electro-optical system is improved as well. Naturally the pilot has a helmet-mounted sight. The cockpit includes two colour displays. As well as the Russian equipment, if the customer so wishes, Western systems can also be installed, for example INS or EW.

Over 30 different weapons systems are available. All existing and future Russian air-to-air and tactical air-to-ground guided missiles can be integrated, according to RSK MiG.

This applies both to the MiG-29M1 and M2, which to all intents and purposes are land-based versions of the K and KUB. Even the wing-folding mechanism for the wings and tailplane are to be retained. In this way, the modifications are confined to a lighter undercarriage with nosewheel brakes and the use of a brake parachute instead of the arrester hook.

Work on the MiG-29M2 (number 154), which was unveiled at the MAKS 2001 air show in August in Shukovski, is currently taking precedence. This aircraft was expected to take off for its maiden flight in September.

The reason for all the haste is the imminent competition to supply a two-seater multi-role fighter aircraft to Malaysia, which RSK MiG has designated the MiG-29 MRCA. Malaysia acquired 18 MiG-29's back in the mid-1990s, but it also flies the Boeing F-18D. Sukhoi is likely to be another contender, with the Su-30MKM.

In addition to these promising new export variants, RSK MiG also unveiled at MAKS 2001 the long-awaited MiG-29OVT (Otklanyayemi Vektor Tyagi) with thrust-vectoring nozzles. These were developed by Klimov for the RD-33 and have a deflection of 15 degrees in all directions. The deflection rate is to be 30 deg/s. The OVT demonstrator (number 156) has nozzles in the form of a model, but it is expected to commence testing with flightworthy nozzles early in 2002. It is also equipped with new wingtips which offer an additional attachment point for light air-to-air missiles.

In parallel to the MiG-29K/M, RSK MiG is still working on the MiG-29SMT (type 9.17), which in the last few years has provided the basis for many aspects of the avionics fit of the new models. At present, however, prospects for the SMT programme are not looking good: evidently the Russian Air Force does not have any urgent requirement to upgrade its existing MiG-29's.

The three test aircraft will, however, be used for additional testing. For example, the first aircraft is equipped with the Zhuk-M and has demonstrated the performance of the radar over a series of 100 flights. The second aircraft has been used to test the supersonic X-31 anti-ship guided missile. Finally, the third MiG-29SMT (number 917) has the complete weapons system and the latest software.

The new equipment fit significantly enhances the fighting power of the existing MiG-29. An enlarged fuselage back with 1,000 litres extra fuel capacity extends the range significantly. Then there are savings in the maintenance requirement thanks to new status monitoring systems. Costs per flying hour are expected to be cut to $5,500. RSK MiG is also hoping to provide proof that the certificated useful life of the airframe should be increased from 2,500 to 6,000 hours.

From page 62 of FLUG REVUE 11/2001