UNIT VII. MIG-29 (MIKOYAN-GUREVICH)

MiG-29 fulcrum (Mikoyan-Gurevich)

By the late 1970s Western analysts had identified a new fighter under development for the Soviet Air Force. Since its first sighting at the Ramenskoye test range in 1977, when it got unofficially dubbed with the rather tentative and anonymous RAM-L designation, the Fulcrum has been one of the key aircraft on the military aviation scene. The twin-finned air superiority fighter, now known as the MiG-29, first flew in 1977 and entered service with Soviet fighter regiments in 1983.

In contrast to the primitive electronics of the MiG-25, the MiG-29 has a radar system comparable to wome Western machines. Like the post-Vietnam generation of US fighters, it was an agile aircraft capable of maneuvering in a dog-fight. The MiG-29 was marketed worldwide and equaled or surpassed the F-15 C in several areas. Consequently, the MiG-29 was initially a useful export fot the new Russian Republic, though subsequently it was eclipsed by the larger Su-27.

The MiG-29 is superficially similar in layout to the larger Su-27, and unlike counterpart American fighters which are easily distinguished, a close attention to design details is needed to distinguish the two Russian fighters:

§ The most striking difference is the Su-27’s signature centerline fuselage stinger, which protrudes well aft of the engine exhaust, and is entirely absent on the MiG-29, though this feature may not be apparent from all angles.

§ The vertical stabilizers on the MiG-29 are canted outward, while those of the Su-27 are vertical.

§ Conversely, the air intakes on the MiG-29 are canted inward, while the air intakes on the Su-27 are vertical.

§ The Mig-29 fuselage sits entirely above the air intakes, engine pods and exhaust beneath the wings, whereas on the Su-27 there is a distinct droop of the forward fuselage below the upper edges of the air intakes.

The MiG-29’s wings are swept-back and tapered with square tips. The Leading- Edge Root Extensions (LERXs) are wide and curved down to the front. LERX begins on the nose below the mid-mount point, and the wing’s trailing edges end at a high-mounted point. Twin jet engines are mounted low and to the sides of the fuselage. Diagonal-shaped air intakes give a box-like appearance, with large exhausts. The fuselage is made of a long, thin, slender body with long, pointed drooping nose. There is a high-mounted bubble canopy. The tail fins have sharply tapered leading edges, canted outward with angular, cutoff tips. Flats are high-mounted on the fuselage, movable, swept-back, and tapered with a negative slant.

There are half a dozen major variants of the MiG-29 recognized under the NATO reporting name taxonomy, while MiG itself accounts for variants too numerous to enumerate.

§ Fulcrum-A - MiG-29 basic version

§ Fulcrum-B - MiG-29UB two-seat conversion trainer

§ Fulcrum-C - MiG-29S bulged and extended spine houses both fuel and avionics

§ Fulcrum-D - MiG-29K / MiG-29KUB navalized for carrier ops

§ Fulcrum-E - MiG-29M wide-ranging upgrades, did not enter production

§ Fulcrum-F - MiG-29OVT / MiG-35 thrust-vector control engine

The MiG-29 basic version fighter is capable of hitting air targets day and night, in any weather, in free airspace and against the earth background and in active and passive jamming environment. The MiG-29 fighter (export version B) is armed with R-27R1 medium-range missiles with semi-active radar homing heads and R-73E short-range missiles, and unguided weapons (S-24B and S-8 rockets and FAB-250 and FAB-500 free-fall bombs) for hitting ground and sea-surface targets. The aircraft also has a built-in GSh-301 gun (30 mm caliber).

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 weapons sight is a helmet-mounted system that allows the missile to follow the line of sight of the pilot's helmet. Where the pilot looks is where it goes.

The MiG-29 is a widely exported aircraft, flown by Iraq, Iran, North Korea, India, Syria, Cuba and Afghanistan, as well as Czechoslovakia, East Germany and Yugoslavia. Aside from MiG-29 basic version B, other modifications of the MiG-29 family, such as MiG-29SE, MiG-29SD, MiG-29SM and MiG-29SMT, can be offered to customers. Moreover, the MiG-29 fighters operated by customers can be upgraded to the level of the SE, SD, SM and SMT versions. The MiG-29UB aircraft and its modifications are manufactured by «Sokol» Joint-Stock Company of Nizhny Novgorod.

MiG Corp. offers its customers three basic versions – the MiG-29SD, MiG-29SM and MiG-29SMT. They significantly differ from each other in terms of functionality and price. The MiG-29SD is an air superiority fighter adapted for NATO / ICAO standards. Its advanced version, the MiG-29SM, is a cost-effective multi-role aircraft. Finally, the MiG-29SMT is a generation 4+ fighter equipped with new targeting system, avionics and armament.

The US Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova reached an agreement to implement the Cooperative Threat Reduction accord signed on June 23, 1997, in Moldova. The Pentagon pounced on the planes after learning Iran had inspected the jets and expressed an interest in adding them to their inventory. Although Iran already flew the less-capable Fulcrum A, it doesn't own any of the more advanced C-models. Of the 21 Fulcrums the United States bought, 14 are the frontline Fulcrum C’s, which contain an active radar jammer in its spine, six older A’s and one B-model two-seat trainer. This agreement authorized the United States Government to purchase nuclear-capable MiG-29 fighter planes from the Government of Moldova. This was a joint effort by both Governments to ensure that these dual-use military weapons do not fall into the hands of rogue states. From Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, 1997, loadmasters and aerial port experts squeezed two MiG’s apiece, sans wings and tails, into the cargo holds of C-17 Globemaster III transports from Charleston Air Force Base, SC. The Charleston airlifters delivered the MiG’s to the National Air Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. If NAIO can discover how the Fulcrum works, Air Force pilots might gain an edge if they faced the Fulcrum in future combat.

The MiG-29 upgrade project involves two main packages for customers. The first package offers the full upgrade of the aircraft up to the MiG-29SMT level. The second package offers the upgrade of certain aircraft units and aggregates and installation of new completing elements (including those of Western produce) to suit customer’s requirements. In the process of upgrade, some share of contract works could be transferred to the aviation plants of the customer’s country.

Improvement of aircraft performance includes: increase of flight range, improvement of aircraft maneuverability and upgrade of engines. An increase of the flight range up to 3,000 km can be reached by installation of additional 1800 l conformal tanks. Installation of the in-flight refueling system makes it possible to use both Russian and Western tankers. Due to installation of three external fuel tanks and in-flight refueling system, the aircraft flight range can be increased up to 6200 km.

The RD-33 engine upgrade provides for the thrust-vector control and increase of engine thrust and fuel efficiency. The core upgrade of the engine itself is now at the test bench stage and should be completed in the nearest future. The installation of these engines will enhance the aircraft power-to-weight ratio to the level of fifth-generation aircraft. All these characteristics will allow the operator to keep the aircraft air superiority till 2010 – 2015.

The aircraft was criticized for the low assigned lifetime (2,500 hours only). However, the operation of the aircraft produced in early 1980s has demonstrated that the lifetime could be extended to 4,000 hours in the event they are maintained properly. This allows extension of their lifetime till 2010-2015. The practice of overhauls has also been revised. Transition to on-condition maintenance has been adopted. The calculations have shown that the operating cost of one air vehicle can be reduced by 15 – 20 % if 4000 hour lifetime is assigned and transition to on-condition maintenance is performed. The worked to increase the engine lifetime have been carried out.

At MAKS-2003 airshow MiG Corp. presented, along with the basic version of MiG-29, its newest modifications – MiG-29K, MiG-29M2, MiG-29SMT, MiG-29OVT. MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M / M2 belong to a family of multirole single / twin-seater ship and shore-based fighters accordingly. Aircraft designs are unified up to 90 %. Such approach gives several advantages. Serial production becomes cheaper thus influences market price of the aircraft. Exploitation, maintenance and logistics support system as well as the system of pilots and ground personnel training become simpler. The fleet of aircraft in the Air Force can become more unified. All this, along with flight-technical and combat characteristics, makes MiG-29 family quite attractive for potential customers.

The MiG-29 fighter’s family

There are currently several upgrade programmes conducted by the Russian Air Force for MiG-29 fighters which envisage: upgrading of the avionics suite to comply with NATO / ICAO standards, extension of the aircraft service life to 4,000 flight hours (40 years), upgrading combat capabilities and reliability, safety enhancements. In 2005 the Russian Aircraft Corporation «MiG» started production of new unified family of multi-role fighters of the 4++ generation (aircraft-carrier based MiG-29K, front-line MiG-29M and MiG-35 fighters).

MIG-29 (9-12)

Initial production version; entered service in 1983. NATO reporting code is Fulcrum-A.

MIG-29 (9-12А)

Downgraded export version for non-Warsaw Pact nations

MIG-29 (9-13) / MIG-29С (9-13С)

MIG-29UB

Twin seat training model

MiG-29SD

The air superiority MiG-29 fighters adapted to NATO & ICAO standards, having the following new features:

– «Friend or Foe» targets classification within NATO standard without addressing to the ground control center;

– compatibility with GPS «NAVSTAR», TACAN radio-navigation system, short-range radio-navigation and landing system;

– significant expansion of in-flight navigation data availability due-to additional mission computer and LCD monitor installation;

– operation in the NATO frequency bands, communication with NATO ATC centers due-to additional radio-stations installation;

– international en-route flights using anti-collision strobe-lights corresponding to NATO / ICAO standards;

– aircraft position detection abandoned by a pilot.

In the composition of the MiG-29SD aircraft airborne avionics the data exchange multiplex channel is added (bus of MIL STD 1553B standard).

Armament

1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 100 rounds

Up to 3,500 kg (7,720 lb) of weapons including six air-to-air missiles – a mix of semi-active radar homing (SARH) and AA-8 «Aphid», AA-10 «Alamo», AA-11 «Archer», AA-12 «Adder», FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000, TN-100, ECM Pods, S-24, AS-12, AS-14.

MIG-29SM

The MiG-29SM is a multi-role fighter with improved airborne avionics and enhanced nomenclature of high precision weapons capable to destroy the air and ground (surface) targets. At development of the MiG-29SM aircraft version the main attention was paid to reduction of the up-grading cost and terms.

The «A-A» class weapons nomenclature is added with middle-range missiles R-27ER1, R-27ET1 (T1) with radar-guided and IR homing heads and RVV-AE missiles with active radar homing heads.

The up-graded weapons management system ensures the application of high precision weapons of the «A-S» class: Kh-29T (TE), Kh-31A, Kh-31P missiles and guided bombs KAB-500Kr and KAB-500-OD. While using the target designation pod or target external illumination it is possible to apply the Kh-29L, Kh-25ML missiles as well as the laser guided bombs.

MiG-29SMT

The MiG-29SMT aircraft is a fundamental upgrading of the original MiG-29 aircraft which is the multi-role fighter of «4+» generation with avionics opens architecture and continuously enhanced nomenclature of high precision weapons.

The MiG-29SMT aircraft is in serial production since 2004 and is supplied to customers. The RAC «MiG» also upgrades the aircraft previously supplied to a number of Customers into the MiG-29SMT type.

– Modern high precision weapons of «A-S» class are included into the weapons nomenclature. It is provided for the weapons nomenclature enhancement during aircraft life cycle.

– The aircraft is equipped with multifunctional multi-mode pulse-Doppler airborne «Zhuk-ME» radar manufactured by «Fazotron-NIIP» Corporation. The radar is provided with a slot antenna array. As compared with the airborne radar of the previous generation the «Zhuk-ME» has enhanced scanning angles in azimuth, twice increased detection range, less weight and higher reliability. The «Zhuk-ME» radar provides for tracking up to 10 air targets with capability of simultaneous firing of 4 targets with missiles.

– The airborne avionics of the MiG-29SMT aircraft is designed following the principle of open architecture on the basis of a mission computer with the data exchange multiplex channel (bus of MIL STD 1553B standard). It allows to install aboard the aircraft the new systems of Russian or foreign origin at the customer’s request.

– The cockpit data display system includes two new wide-screen MFD-10-6 multifunction color displays and realizes the HOTAS conception.

– INS-GPS navigation system is included into the navigation equipment.

– The aircraft is equipped with in-flight refueling system.

Aircraft can be equipped with ECM system installed in pod. At the customer’s request the MiG-29SMT aircraft can be equipped with the upgraded IRSTS system as well as with radio-stations, navigation equipment and IFF transponders of different types.

MiG-29UB upgraded

The double-seat version of the MiG-29SMT aircraft is called the upgraded MiG-29UB. It has the same avionics structure and identical cockpit data display system composition but it has no radar. The upgraded MiG-29UB aircraft has the same weapons as the MiG-20SMT except for weapons with radar homing heads (for training purposes the simulation mode is provided).

New unified family

MiG-29K / MiG-29KUB

Both the MiG-29K (single seat) and MiG-29KUB (double seat) aircraft are the «4++» generation multi-role fighters intended for air-defense missions of naval forces, air superiority gaining, sea & ground targets destruction with the high precision guided weapons day and night and in any weather conditions.

The MiG-29K / KUB carrier-based fighters are the basic aircraft of a new unified family including also the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-35/MiG-35D aircraft.

The MiG-29K / KUB aircraft are based on the aircraft-carriers with tonnage from 28,000 tons, equipped with take-off ramp and landing arrestor, as well as at the airfields.

Main technical and technological innovations, applied on the MiG-29K/KUB fighters are the following:

– improved airframe with about 15 % composite materials application;

– folding wing with upgraded high-lift devices improving take-off/landing performance;

– fly-by-wire control system with quadruple redundancy;

– significantly reduced signature in radar range;

– increased weapons load, stored at eight external hard points;

– increased internal fuel capacity and in-flight refueling possibility;

– possibility of other aircraft refueling being equipped with «PAZ-1MK» refueling unit.

The MiG-29K / KUB fighters as well as other aircraft of the unified family, have improved operational characteristics and higher reliability of assemblies, systems and units. In comparison with the previous fighters, the MiG-29K / KUB flight hours are increased more than twice, but a flight hour cost is reduced about 2,5 times. The MiG-29K / KUB fighters operate without overhaul.

The power plant includes two engines RD-33MK with increased thrust power, equipped with smokeless combustion chamber and new electronic control system (of FADEC type). Engines are of the module structure and have increased reliability and service life.

The airborne avionics is of the open architecture based on MIL-STD-1553 B standard.

The fighter has multi-role, multi-mode «pulse-Doppler» type radar «Zhuk-ME» manufactured by «Fazotron-NIIP» Corporation. The radar is provided with the slot array. As compared with radars of the previous generation, «Zhuk-ME» has wider scanning angle in azimuth, twice longer target detection range, less weight and increased reliability. «Zhuk-ME» provides tracking up to 10 air targets with four targets simultaneous firing with missiles.

The MiG-29K / KUB fighters are equipped with state-of-the-art multi-channel IRST with target designation system to the anti-radar passive war-head missiles.

There is the possibility of installation on aircraft of IR and laser sighting equipment pods for ground targets illumination.

Avionics open architecture allows installation on aircraft of new equipment and weapons of Russian and foreign origin upon customer’s request.

The MiG-29K / KUB fighters are equipped with the built-in automated integrated system «Karat» of serviceability check and data recording, video-recorder, computer-aided flight mission recording into the airborne radio-electronic system as well as airborne autonomous power generation station used for the equipment ground checks without main engines starting-up.

Both the single and double seat versions of aircraft have the same airborne equipment and weapons as well as the high unification level of structure.

For the MiG-29K / KUB fighters the full set of training means was developed including the full mission simulator with the motion system.

The MiG-29KUB aircraft first flight took place in January 2007.

The MiG-29K / KUB fighters are in production under order of the Indian Navy.

MiG-29M / MiG-29M2

Both the MiG-29M (single seat) and MiG-29M2 (double seat) aircraft are the «4++» generation multi-role fighters with the extended range, weapons increased load and airborne weapons broad nomenclature.

Main technical and technological innovations applied on the MiG-29M / M2 fighters are as follows:

– improved fuselage & wing;

– fly-by-wire control system with quadruple redundancy;

– significantly reduced radar signature;

– increased internal fuel capacity and in-flight refueling possibility;

– increased weapons load stored at nine external hard points.

The power plant includes RD-33MK engines with increased thrust power, equipped with smokeless combustion chamber and new electronic control system (of FADEC type). Engines are of the module structure and have increased reliability and service life.

Upon customer’s request the fighters can be equipped with the modified «all aspect» vectored thrust RD-33MK engine ensuring the aircraft superiority in a maneuvering dogfights. The power plant of two vectored thrust engines was tested on the super-maneuverable prototype-aircraft MiG-29M OVT.

The MiG-29M / M2 fighters are remarkable for the improved operational characteristics and increased reliability of assemblies, systems and units. As compared to the previous fighters the flight hour cost is reduced about 2,5 times. The MiG-29M / M2 fighters are intended for the on-condition maintenance.

The airborne avionics is of the open architecture based on MIL-STD-1553B standard that allows the installation on aircraft of new equipment and weapons of Russian and foreign origin upon customer request.

The MiG-29M/M2 fighters are equipped with state-of-the-art multi-channel IRST with target designation system to the anti-radar passive war-head missiles.

There is the possibility of installation on aircraft of IR and laser sighting equipment pods for ground targets illumination.

Weapons system includes «A-A», «A-S» missiles, guided aerial bombs, rockets, aerial bombs and built-in air-gun of 30 mm caliber. Upon request of the customer the new types of weapons can be applied. The MiG-29M / M2 fighters weapons allow to destruct air targets as well as the movable and stationary ground / surface targets.

Both the single and double seat versions of aircraft have the same airborne equipment and weapons as well as the high unification level of structure.

For the MiG-29M / M2 fighters the full set of training means was developed.

EXSERCISES

1. Write 10 questions to each text from the unit.

2. Write out of each text the sentences with the verbs in the Passive voice.

3. Translate any part of the texts (1500 signs) in writing.

4. Retell text about «The MiG-29 fighter’s family».

5. Speak on «Armament».

UNIT VIII. ENGINES

An engine produces a force which acts toward the rear of the aircraft which «thrusts» the aircraft forward. For this reason, the force produced by the engine is called thrust. Thrust is the most important force acting on an aircraft, because regardless of the type of aircraft, ALL need some type of thrust to propel them aloft. Even unpowered aircraft such as gliders need a tow plane to provide an external force to pull the aircraft into the air, where it can obtain airflow over the wings to provide the necessary lift to remain airborne. Hang gliders use foot power to initiate movement prior to «leaping» off a cliff. The most common means of developing thrust on powered airplanes comes from propellers or jets. Whether an aircraft has a propeller, a turbojet, or a turbofan, all of these produce thrust by accelerating a mass of air to the rear of the aircraft. The movement of this air to the rear creates an unbalanced force pushing the aircraft forward.

The Wright brothers made many important things come together for their historic first heavier-than-air flight. One of the most vital was an engine that efficiently produced thrust while not weighing too much. They used propellers – the only effective means available of transferring an internal combustion engine’s output into push or pull for the airplane. Propellers are essentially revolving wings situated so that the lift they produce is used to pull or push the airplane.

Most modern high-speed aircraft use a very different type of engine – the jet engine. Jet engines not only look different from propellers, they operate in a very different manner as well. More like rocket engines, jets produce thrust by burning propellant (jet fuel mixed with air) and forcing the rapidly expanding gases rearward. In order to operate from zero airspeed on up, jets use enclosed fans on a rotating shaft to compress the incoming air (and suck it in if the airplane is not going very fast) and send it into the combustion chamber where the fuel is added and ignited. The burning gases keep the shaft turning by rotating a fan before exiting the engine.

How a Jet Engine Works

Jet engines move the airplane forward with a great force that is produced by a tremendous thrust and causes the plane to fly very fast.

Jet engines, which are also called gas turbines, work on the same principle. The engine sucks air in at the front with a fan. A compressor raises the pressure of the air. The compressor is made up of fans with many blades and attached to a shaft. The blades compress the air. The compressed air is then sprayed with fuel and an electric spark lights the mixture. The burning gases expand and blast out through the nozzle, at the back of the engine.

The image above shows how the air flows through the engine. The air goes through the core of the engine as well as around the core. This causes some of the air to be very hot and some to be cooler. The cooler air then mixes with the hot air at the engine exit area.

A jet engine operates on the application of Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of physics: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is called thrust. This law is demonstrated in simple terms by releasing an inflated balloon and watching the escaping air propel the balloon in the opposite direction. In the basic turbojet engine, air enters the front intake and is compressed, then forced into combustion chambers where fuel is sprayed into it and the mixture is ignited. Gases which form expand rapidly and are exhausted through the rear of the combustion chambers exert equal force in all directions, providing forward thrust as they escape to the rear. As the gases leave the engine, they pass through a fan-like set of blades (turbine) which rotates the turbine shaft. This shaft, in turn, rotates the compressor, thereby bringing in a fresh supply of air through the intake. Engine thrust may be increased by the addition of an afterburner section in which extra fuel is sprayed into the exhausting gases which burn to give the added thrust. At approximately 400 mph, one pound of thrust equals one horsepower, but at higher speeds this ratio increases and a pound of thrust is greater than one horsepower. At speeds of less than 400 mph, this ratio decreases.

In a turboprop engine, the exhaust gases are also used to rotate a propeller attached to the turbine shaft for increased fuel economy at lower altitudes. A turbofan engine incorporates a fan to produce additional thrust, supplementing that created by the basic turbojet engine, for greater efficiency at high altitudes. The advantages of jet engines over piston engines include lighter weight with greater power, simpler construction and maintenance with fewer moving parts, and efficient operation with cheaper fuel.

Turbojet Engines

The turbojet is the basic engine of the jet age. Air is drawn into the engine through the front intake. The compressor squeezes the air to many times normal atmospheric pressure and forces it into the combustor. Here, fuel is sprayed into the compressed air, is ignited and burned continuously like a blowtorch. The burning gases expand rapidly rearward and pass through the turbine. The turbine extracts energy from the expanding gases to drive the compressor, which intakes more air. After leaving the turbine, the hot gases exit at the rear of the engine, giving the aircraft its forward push ... action, reaction.

For additional thrust or power, an afterburner can be added. Additional fuel is introduced into the hot exhaust and burned with a resultant increase of up to 50 percent in engine thrust by way of even higher velocity and more push.

Turboprop Engines

A turboprop engine is a jet engine attached to a propeller. The turbine at the back is turned by the hot gases, and this turns a shaft that drives the propeller. Some small airliners and transport aircrafts are powered by turboprops.

Like the turbojet, the turboprop engine consists of a compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine, the air and gas pressure is used to run the turbine, which then creates power to drive the compressor. Compared with a turbojet engine, the turboprop has better propulsion efficiency at flight speeds below about 500 miles per hour. Modern turboprop engines are equipped with propellers that have a smaller diameter but a larger number of blades for efficient operation at much higher flight speeds. To accommodate the higher flight speeds, the blades are scimitar-shaped[65] with swept-back leading edges at the blade tips.