Combat aircraft

MiG-29

SMT

The MiG-29SMT (9.19R) has a far more

capable  re control system than previous

MiG-29s — it features the slotted-aerial

N041R radar, similar to that of the carrier-

based MiG-29KR and the MiG-35S. It is

a further development of the Zhuk-ME

 tted to export aircraft, with new

transmitters, enhanced software and

additional modes.

The MiG-29SMT’s electro-optical

targeting system includes the izdeliye

13SM infra-red search and track (IRST)

and Shchel-3UM1 helmet-mounted

sight (HMS). The navigation system takes

in the French Sagem Sigma 95 inertial

navigation and new tactical air navigation

system (TACAN). The aircraft has a ‘glass’

cockpit with two MFI-10-6M displays and

the IKSh-1M head-up display (HUD).

The  ghter can accommodate 4,000kg

(8,818lb) of weapons and stores on

six underwing pylons. Its standard

air combat armament comprises two

medium-/extended-range semi-active

radar-guided R-27R/ER or IR-guided

R-27T/ET (AA-10 ‘Alamo’) air-to-air missiles

on the inner pylons, plus four R-73 short-

range IR-guided missiles on the outer

pylons, or six medium-range active-radar

guided RVV-AE (R-77, AA-12 ‘Adder’)

AAMs.

Guided air-to-ground weapons include

two Kh-29T/Ls, up to four Kh-25Ms, or

two Kh-31A/P missiles, or up to four

KAB-500 guided bombs. The aircraft

can also carry 250kg (551lb) and 500kg

(1,102lb) free-fall bombs, a ZB-500

incendiary tank, KMGU-2 submunitions

dispensers, and 57mm (2.2in) to 240mm

(9.4in) unguided rockets.

A  xed Gryazev/Shipunov GSh-30-1

(9A-4071K) single-barrel 30mm cannon

is built into the port wing LERX, with 150

rounds.

Left: The MiG-29’s

presence in the

VKS has dwindled

in recent years

in favor of the

‘Flanker’. Only

a handful of

‘classic’ MiG-29s

remain, as well as

two batches of

MiG-29SMTs.

Piotr Butowski

Top right:

RF-90847 is

one of the

batch of newer

MiG-29SMTs

based at

Privolzhskiy

(Astrakhan).

Piotr Butowski

Above right: Red

‘Bort’ numbers

and a white/

gray/green

scheme mean

this MiG-29SMT

is one of the

rejected Algerian

examples.

Russian MoD

In common with a variety of Russian

equipment, the MiG-29SMT has been

combat-tested in Syria — several aircraft

from the Astrakhan training center

deployed there between September and

December 2017.

Although now largely superseded, the

‘Fulcrum’ rede ned Russian  ghters when

it  rst emerged. Western evaluation of

former East German MiG-29s inherited

by the Luftwa e still provide the most

complete source of assessment of the

type. The most praiseworthy element was

the helmet-mounted system for target

designation of the R-73 (AA-12 ‘Archer’)

missile. The Luftwa e was further

impressed by the maneuverability,

climb rate, acceleration, radar range

and surprisingly easy ground servicing

a orded by the MiG-29. Interestingly,

at that time German ‘Fulcrums’ had

300 failures per 1,000  ight hours

compared with 380 failures for the

country’s Tornados. The disadvantages

of the MiG-29 in comparative testing

included insu cient reserves of fuel,

high pilot workload because of the

number of switches that had to be to

handled (reportedly far more than in

Western aircraft), visibility from the

cockpit (particularly rearwards) and

limited air-to-surface potential. Among

other reservations were its ability to only

realistically engage single targets, the

heavy weight and size of its equipment,

and the relatively short life of many

components of the airframe, the engines

and other equipment.

Changing times

In the 1990s, the Russian Air Force

showed a clear pattern of neglecting

the smaller MiG-29, instead favoring the

larger Su-27 due to its perceived greater

potential, and therefore investing in

further ‘Flanker’ developments. Indeed, it

didn’t even opt for a mid-life upgrade for

its aging ‘Fulcrums’.

In 2009, the air force accepted a batch

of improved MiG-29SMTs, but only

FIGHTER TRAINING AIR BASES OF THE RUSSIAN AEROSPACE FORCES (VKS)

Unit Location Fighter inventory

116th Training Center of Combat Application Privolzhsky (Astrakhan) MiG-29MiG-29SMT

195th Training Air Base Kushchevskaya

MiG-29

Su-27

(L-39C)

(Su-25)

200th Training Air Base Armavir

MiG-29

(Yak-130)

(L-39C)

http://www.combataircraft.net // March 2018 71

70-72 Russian Fighters MiG-29 C.indd 71 19/01/2018 16:23