From: glynnw@ul.ie
Subject: MiG-29M for EFA?
Organization: University of Limerick, Ireland
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 16:45:26 GMT


From glynnw@ul.ie

The 16 - 22 September, 1992 issue of Flight International has an artical
about the new MiG-29M (MiG-33). They interviewed Rostislav Belyakov, general
designer and head of the company. 

Belyakov has such confidence in the aircraft that he believes it could form
the basis for a jointly developed alternative to the EFA. "We are ready to 
work with international partners... to meet all EFA requirements. The response
from the West has been cautious so far," says Belyakov.

The following is a short list of the changes from the old MiG-29;

*  Installation of a retractable grid for foreign-object-damage protection
   similar to that used on the Su-27.

*  Reconfigured wing-root extensions and increased-span ailerons to improve
   low speed handling significantly.

*  Introduction of a fly-by-wire system. Though analogue, it "...is less 
   likely to present unexpected surprises." The flight-control-system is
   full-authority quadruplex in the longitudinal channel while a triplex 
   system is used for bank and yaw with one of the 3 loops being a mechanical
   one.

*  The airframe was redesigned to incorporate significant Al-Li alloy and
   composite structures for weight saving and rigidity.

*  Internal fuel increases to 5700lt giving a cruise range of 2000Km. With
   3800lt of external fuel, the ferry range is 3200Km.

*  The maximum AOA is now 30 degrees though the final value "...will be
   significantly higher." In terms of spin and departure behaviour, "...this
   fighter is the best in existence worldwide."

*  The engines are modified Klimov Rd-33Ks rated at 86kN (19400lb) thrust each.
   Overall lifetime is 1400hrs with an initial major overhaul at 700hrs.

*  In terms of field service, a team of 7 technicians is needed for each
   aircraft. Pre-flight takes 30min and turn-around is 15-25min. The MiG29M
   will have a reliability of 8hrs MBT, a 90% mission-capable rate and 
   11.5hrs maintenance man-hours per flight hour. Airframe lifetime is 2500hrs
   and can be extended to 4000hrs.

*  The Phasotron manufactured Zhuk pulse-Doppler radar is a multi-role system.
   Air-to-air modes include track-while-scan of 10 targets with simultaneous
   attack on 4 of them. The "AMRAAMski" (AAM-AE) active guidance air-to-air
   missile weighs 175kg and has a maximum launch range of 40-100km depending
   on launch environment. Air-to-ground modes include radar mapping with 
   real beam and synthetic aperature, terrain/obstacle avoidance for low-level
   flight and hands off to air-to-surface missiles.

*  The MiG-29M has a new electro-optical system. A new deep cooled infra-red
   search and track sensor, a TV camera and a more powerfull laser. All 3
   channels look through a ball window located in front of the cockpit. The
   EO can now be used for missile launch for dogfight missiles as well as
   aiming cues for the GSh-30 gun. The TV camera provides beyond visual range
   target ID for air targets and provides the same, plus automatic contrast-
   correlation tracking for groung targets with hand-off to TV seekers on
   Kh-29T missiles or KAB-500KR guided bombs. The slaved helmet-mounted sight
   has been modified to reduce weight. The gun is used for aerial targets with
   only 5-7 shots required due to its high aiming accuracy.

*  EW capability is signicicantly increased with the new Gardeniya-1-FUE active
   radar jammer, a new RWR and chaff/flare dispenser. The RWR can control the
   firing of anti-radar missiles such as the 100km range high-speed Kh-31P
   missile which is capabale of destroying all existing medium-long range SAMs
   including Patriot.

The original MiG-29 was a capable performer and now with these upgrades, is a
first class system.

If the Soviets knew one thing, it was how to build good, reliable and easy to 
maintain airframes, perhaps with the exception of engines. 

A combination of the MiG-29M airframe and some of its avionics (eg EO systems)
with western avionics may produce an alternative proposal for EFA.

Any comments, observations or otherwise?

Regards,

William Glynn.


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