MIG-29: specifications. MIG-29 aircraft: weapons, speed, photo

Opportunities of the defense industry of the USSR were repeatedly underestimated by opponents, both potential and quite real. A number of samples of Soviet weapons for the history of the country became the standard for designers of the most industrialized countries. Some of them even became symbols of the armed forces of the USSR and the new Russia. The glory of the Shpagin and Kalashnikov assault rifles, the T-34 and T-54 tanks, Katyusha and other types of Russian lethal products went far beyond the sixth part of the land. Combat aircraft MiG also belong to the domestic weapons classics.

History of MiG

Design Bureau began working before the Great Patriotic War. Engineers AI Mikoyan (brother of Stalin's People's Commissar) and MI Gurevich managed to create a magnificent fighter aircraft by 1940, one of the best in the world. He had a number of shortcomings, but at the time of the first test take-off, this light high-speed car with streamlined contours could compete with any aircraft from Germany, Britain or the USA.

The design bureau has always endeavored not only to follow the world trends in aircraft manufacturing, but also to ask them whenever possible. The first serial jet fighter in the USSR, MiG-9, was a response to the successful introduction of aircraft of this class into the Air Force of Western countries.

Reactive era

Unpleasant surprise for the American pilots was the MiG-15, in speed and maneuverability superior to the vaunted products of Northrop and other manufacturers from the United States, who considered their technology to be unsurpassed. In the skies of the warring Vietnam, interceptors MiG-17 and MiG-21 performed well. There were other models of aircraft, MiG-19 and MiG-23. During the war between Israel and Egypt, the super-powerful MiG-25 repeatedly violated the front line, raiding Tel Aviv. And although there were no weapons on it, the very fact of the unpunished flight of a Soviet airplane over a country armed with the latest American air defense systems cooled many hotheads. A number of regional conflicts in which Soviet military MiG planes proved themselves from the very best side became a kind of advertising of this brand, a guarantee of quality and the highest effectiveness of Soviet military equipment. The end of the designers' efforts was the MiG-29. The technical characteristics of this fighter and today, 37 years after the completion of the basic design work, fully meet the modern requirements for combat vehicles of this class.

Important government task

In the late sixties - early seventies, the main "workhorse" of the US Air Force and several countries-likely adversaries of the USSR-was the famous F-4, the "Phantom" of various modifications of the McDonnell-Douglas firm. The design of this aircraft was very successful, it could solve the universal in nature tasks - from conducting maneuverable air combat to applying bomb-rocket strikes against ground targets. But the experience of Vietnam and the Middle East showed that it's hard for him to fight against the Soviet MiG-21 and even the earlier MiG-17. The ratio of losses was not in favor of the Americans. In the United States, work began on creating a replacement for Phantom, which resulted in the F-14 Tomkat and F-15 Eagle fighters. The Soviet Air Force urgently needed modernization taking into account the prospective projects of overseas aircraft builders with their "cats" and "eagles". The Soviet government set the task of the MiG CB. By the fall of 1977, the latest interceptor MiG-29 was ready. The take-off of the prototype took place on October 6. Five years later the plane was adopted by the Air Force of the USSR.

A little bit about appearance

In those years, even the appearance of the new type of weapons was a state secret. And in fact, a lot of revolutionary technical solutions, including conceptual ones, have become a distinctive feature of the MiG-29 interceptor. The photo, inadvertently published in the press, or the recording of an indicative flight, shown on television, could lead experts from a hostile camp to think about the future of the aircraft industry. According to the idea of the Chief Designer M. Waldenberg, supported by the replaced General Artem Mikoyan R. Belyakov, the aircraft had a so-called integrated layout layout. This means that from the accepted in the world aviation fission structures on the plane and the fuselage in the KB retired. The whole glider consisted of smooth transitions, influxes, with "classical" side walls only in the bow.

Measures to maintain secrecy were by no means excessive precaution. The experts who designed the MiG aircraft knew how to spy on other people's novelties. The photo of the adjustable air intake of the mentioned "Phantom", made at one of the air showrooms, gave in due time invaluable information to our engineers. A similar node was used on the MiG-23.

Power plant and figure "bell"

There are two engines at the plane (RD-ЗЗ or РД-ЗЗК for modification "M"), they are located below the wing. Their total thrust can reach from 16 600 to 17 600 kN (kgf). If we take into account that the take-off mass of the car is slightly higher than 15 tons, then it is not difficult to conclude that the value of the ratio of the propulsive power of a unit is too high. This in turn means that if the MiG-29 is installed vertically and the gas sectors are moved to a position close to the limit, it will hang in place or rise higher without the participation of the lift of the wing. This technical feature allows not only to show unique aerobatics figures in demonstration performances, but also has important applied value. Locators operate on the Doppler principle and can monitor only moving objects. At the time of the "bell" and "cobra" (namely, the figures of aerobatics, during which the "hovering" occurs), the speed of the MiG-29 aircraft is zero, and all enemy air defense control and guidance systems cease to see it on their screens .

"Gills" of the MiG-29

In the design of the aircraft there are other solutions demonstrating the freshness of the approach to solving pressing problems. Powerful power plant requires a lot of air, and it is sucked into the intake fence in huge quantities. If the runway is snow-covered, sand is present on it (which is not uncommon in some regions) or other pollution, it all gets inside the turbine. There are several ways to deal with this scourge. For example, you can install air filters as in a car. But they, too, have a habit of hammering. Or one more solution: place the air intakes higher. But this worsens the aerodynamic properties of the airframe. In the case of the MiG-29, the designers adopted an unusual and unique solution. The intake of air until the landing gear is retracted is carried out through additional inlet openings on the upper bay connecting the wing with the fuselage. Their two rows are arranged symmetrically from the right and left sides. They were called "gills." During the takeoff and landing, the main air intakes are completely blocked, and only after they are set enough for safe work height they open.

Avionics

Not only powerful engines and excellent aerodynamics is famous for the MiG-29. Technical characteristics, however perfect they may be, in modern air combat do not guarantee victory if the pilot does not have ergonomic conditions and information support providing the possibility of instant decision making. Still, the fourth generation has something to do with something, especially since our probable adversaries always treated with the greatest attention to the latest advances in electronics. The fact that the computer is based on the on-board computer (this is C100.02-06), there is nothing surprising. For the first time in the country (and perhaps in the world), many additional devices have been used to facilitate the pilot's work. In particular, "Natasha" (as the pilots called the system of speech indication, in fact it is "Almaz-UE") will say in a pleasant female voice that the landing approach is performed at insufficient altitude or speed, will notify the enemy who has gone into the tail, or another Danger, error or abnormal situation.

Manage your weapons is very convenient. The information is projected onto the frontal glazing section of the cockpit lantern, and the target designation system is installed on the headset. He looked at the plane, decided to attack, pressed the button of the combat platoon - and we can assume that the enemy is no more. Such is the deadly look of our pilots. And if it was lost and lost its spatial orientation, then it's okay, he pressed another button, and the plane itself is leveled both on the difference and on the roll.

Electronic control system

In modern military aircraft, it is very difficult to divide avionics and weapons control systems. Without a sensitive target against the background of the radar, it is almost impossible to win today, but this device also performs a navigation function. The MiG-29 is equipped with a radar of the type NO-93, capable of accompanying dozens of targets simultaneously. It is an integral part of the sighting and navigation complex OEPRN-29, which can perform operational mapping, calculates algorithms for attacks on enemy sea and land targets. In its composition there is also an optico-electronic sighting system OEPS-29, with its development the latest achievements of quantum physics are applied. The target is detected and identified at a distance of 35 km (at catch-up) to 75 km (in free space). In general, the control system is complex, but, despite this, it is convenient to use it.

Than to shoot?

The experience of the Vietnam War showed that it is difficult to conduct an air battle with one missile, especially maneuvering. Depriving the Phantom artillery, the Americans were forced to invent special hanging containers with a gun and ammunition. The MiG-29 fighter is armed with a rapid-fire (1500 rounds per minute) gun GSh-301 with water cooling, which has a stock of one hundred shells (30 mm caliber).

For the missiles are provided six outer pylons, mounted under the wings. Depending on the tasks to be solved, it is possible to install SD (R-73 or P-60M) on them. To strike ground targets, UR type X-25M is used. The guidance of these means is carried out either on a television signal or on a laser beam. Targeting of unmanaged means (NAR in cassettes, bombs) is carried out using radar. Marine targets are affected by UR X-29 or supersonic anti-ship missiles such as X-31A, which can carry MiG-29. Armament with perspective rocket models is incorporated in the design of suspension assemblies.

The total bombs and missiles are limited by a maximum combat load of 3 tons (base model) and 4, 5 tons (MiG-29M).

TTX Mig-29

The aircraft in size and weight is slightly smaller than its modern American counterparts, which include F-14 and F-15. The wingspan of the Soviet interceptor is slightly more than 11 meters (the same at "Tomkhet" at maximum sweep, and at "Needle" - 13 m). The length is 17 meters along with the bar refueling in the air (against 19 for each of the "Americans"). The MiG-29, which weighs about 15 tons, is lighter than both aircraft - likely adversaries (approximately eighteen tons each). The thrust of two turbines is higher than that of American cars and reaches 17,600 kN (14,500 from Tomkat and slightly over 13,000 from Igla).

A relatively small wing area (38 sq. M.) Can be guarded by a high specific load, but it is compensated by the high strength of the airframe, due to the features of the integrated layout. The speed of the MiG-29 is 2.3 M (2,450 km / h); in the deck version of the MiG-29K, it is slightly lower, 2300 km / h. For comparison: F-14 is able to develop 1.88 M (1,995 km / h), and F-15 - 2,650 km / h. Another important indicator - the length of the run during takeoff and landing. For the MiG to take off, it is enough runway length of 700 meters, and in the afterburner mode - only 260 m. It sits on a platform with a length of 600 meters. This allows it to be used as a deck aircraft (with a cable braking system) or operated in conditions of poorly prepared airfields (or even highway sections, as happened during the Yugoslav war). Approximately the same running characteristics have both American cars. The possibility of using a fighter as a base aircraft carrier aircraft is provided and structurally, the wing consoles are folded. The landing speed of the MiG-29 is 235 km / h, which also indicates its "sea soul". American decks have the same indicator.

The practical ceiling of the MiG reaches 17 thousand meters and occupies an intermediate position between F-14 and F-15.

The average combat qualities of the Soviet MiG-29, its technical characteristics and its maneuverability make it possible to assert that this aircraft surpasses all foreign analogues developed at the same time as it. The ability to disappear from the radar screens in the midst of air combat gives this car a uniqueness. Innovations, applied in the management system, brought the domestic aviation industry to a qualitatively new level. It is also important that the MiG-29 fighter possesses a wide modifying potential. Its varieties of different target orientation, different range of flight, with a different on-purpose use of on-board radio electronic equipment, from a front-line fighter to an educational "flying desk", produced more than two dozen. Two of them (MiG-33 and MiG-35) are separated into independent models of the KB design bureau. Mikoyan and Gurevich.

With different emblems on the wings

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the military fleet of a single state was divided between former Soviet republics. Experiencing material difficulties, many of them began to sell equipment they did not need. For example, Moldova lost the United States two dozen formerly in service MiG-29. The cost of each aircraft was $ 2 million, which is many times lower than the market price. Americans, this interceptor was needed to develop tactical methods to combat the air forces of the countries it is armed with. MiGs were sold in conflict zones on the territory of Africa, Asia and other parts of the world.

The air force of the Warsaw Pact member countries also armed MiGami-29. Almost all of them came under the control of Russia's "partner" in the person of NATO. The pilots of the Luftwaffe of Germany, who were accustomed mainly to American technology, were pleasantly surprised by the ease and ergonomics of the controls-the characteristic qualities of the MiG-29. The photos of the Soviet fighter with the Maltese crosses (German Air Force badges) first aroused bewilderment among the uninitiated, then everyone was used to it.

The aircraft is armed with more than twenty-five countries, and they are not going to change it for now.

When choosing a supplier of defense products, foreign governments are guided primarily by fighting qualities and political considerations. But of no small importance is the financial aspect of the transaction. The MiG-29, which costs about 70-75 million dollars per unit, can solve most specific military tasks no worse than its overseas competitor F-15, for which they "ask" for hundreds of millions. In our time of crisis, this difference clearly plays into the hands of the Russian "Oboronexport".

Combat experience of MiG

As long as the rivalry of the "Fulcrum" (so called in NATO MiG-29) and the American "Eagles" F-15 was of a theoretical nature, one could argue about which of the aircraft is better. The first serious real clash between the two rival machines took place in the sky over the Persian Gulf (1991, Operation Desert Storm). Against the backdrop of the overall success due to careful preparation, the advantage in information and analytical support and quantitative superiority, the fact that during the entire war in the Gulf the Allied aviation was never able to win at least one confirmed victory over the Iraqi MiG- 29. The technical characteristics of this interceptor created Hussein pilots conditions for air victories, documented the destruction of the British "Tornado" in the north-west of Iraq (according to unconfirmed reports, he was not the only one).

13 Yugoslavian MiG-29s (all of them were in the arsenal of the SFRY 15, but two by the beginning of the aggression proved to be unsuitable for departures) were confronted repeatedly exceeding the forces of NATO. In some mysterious way, American pilots (they said) shot them down 24. In reality, everything turned out not to be as brave as reported by NATO pilots. Four units were bombed at the aerodrome, one interceptor was lost as a result of the accident. The remaining six were indeed shot down by NATO, the leadership of the alliance, however, tried with all its might to understate its own losses. To estimate their number, as well as the share of the merits of MiGs at present is difficult.

There were other cases of combat employment of MiG-29 aircraft, fortunately, infrequent. In any case, the success of the design of a combat vehicle can only be judged by cases of "clean" confrontation, even if approximately equal to the qualifications of the pilots. There were few such episodes in modern history, and they all say that the MiG-29 still has a long life ahead of it.