Pictures courtesy IAF

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MiG-29 Fulcrum / Baaz

The MiG-29 is an all weather air superiority fighter designed by the Mikhoyan Gurevich of the former soviet union and now Russia. The MiG-29B is fitted with the N-109 radar which allows it to have look-down/shoot-down capability. This radar allows the pilot to track up to ten targets and the onboard computer locks on to the target with the maximum priority. The MiG-29B has IRCM flare dispensers which are placed at the extended dorsal fins. The MiG-29B also has an extended chord rudder and also a hydro-mechanical flight control system. Another version of the MiG-29, the MiG-29S has a N-109M radar. This radar allows the pilot to engage two targets when ten targets are being tracked. The MiG-29S is quiet different from the MiG-29B. It also has a new weapon system and an improved flight control system. The trainer version of the MiG-29, the MiG-29UB is a dual seat trainer. This version of the MiG-29 has a continuous canopy and does not carry an onboard radar. Being a trainer the MiG-29UB has an imbedded training system and an IRST or helmet sighting system. The weapons carrying capability has been retained and the countermeasures dispensers have been removed. The length of the airframe has been increased by 100 mm. The rear occupant of this aircraft has a periscope for a better view.

Design

The MiG-29 has a system which links the fire control and the mission computer with the onboard radar. The MiG-29 also has an IRST sensor and a helmet mounted target designation system. The radar and IR signatures of the MiG-29 are considerably low which makes it undetectable when approaching targets. The MiG-29 has a turn rate of 23º per second.

Cockpit

The pilot is seated on a K-36DM/2-06 zero to zero ejection seat which is placed with a 10º inclination the cockpit also has three internal rear-view mirrors for a better view around.

Avionics

The MiG-29 is equipped with a multi role pulse doppler radar. This radar allows the MiG-29 to have look-down/shoot-down capability. The MiG-29 also has search and track capabilities due to this system. The MiG-29 has a heads-up display(HUD) and a helmet mounted target designation system. The HUD and the helmet mounted target designation system are in turn linked to an IRST and a laser range finder. The IRST system of the MiG-29 is mounted on the nose of the aircraft and can be rotated in all three axes. This allows the pilot to search for targets by using the targets heat signature.

The MiG-29 has a navigation system which includes a radar altimeter, an ILS system, a radio compass, a short range navigation system and a marker beacon receiver. The MiG-29 also carries an IFF(identify friend or foe) transponder. This allows the MiG-29 to determine the type of targets which it is engaging. The MiG-29 has a data link with ground based radar for target indication.

Weapons

The MiG-29 has an onboard optical-electronic navigation-attack system. This system consists of many sub systems like a digital computer, a sighting system, a weapons control system, a navigation system and a data presentation system which includes the HUD. The helmet mounted target designation system allows the MiG-29 to lock on to targets by sight and launch missiles like AA-8 Aphid (R-60) and the AA-11 Archer (R-73) during close-combat conditions.

Weapons caried by the MiG-29 :
Air-to-air Missiles :
R-27R (AA-10A Almo-A)[4], R-27T (AA-10B Almo-B)[4], R-27RE (AA-10C Almo-C)[4], R-77 (AA-12 Adder)[6]
Bombs (Guided/Un-Guided) :
PB-250[8], FAB-500[4], ZAB-500[4], RBK-500[4]

Engines

The MiG-29 carries two Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines which gives out a maximum thrust of 18300 pounds.

Technical Specifications
Top speed	Mach 2.35
Ceiling	18,500 metres; 60,700 feet
Maximum Range	1500 km; 932 miles - without in-flight refuelling. 2495 km; 1550 miles - with one in-flight refuelling.
G Limit	9.5+