Mikoyan MiG-29K (Fulcrum-D)

History

The Mikoyan MiG-29K (NATO = "Fulcrum-D") is a naval variant of the successful Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter family. The Navy version was originally developed for the Soviet Navy's carrier-based fighter needs in the 1980s.

While the Soviet Navy eventually opted for the larger Sukhoi Su-27 "Flanker" series ("Su-33" for short), the MiG-29K design has recently attracted increasing interest from the Russian and Indian navies, which This is largely due to the Indian Navy's acquisition of the former Kyiv-class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (renamed INS Vikramaditya in December 2012). More than a dozen MiG-29K aircraft were included in the deal due to their more compact size, lower initial cost and advanced capabilities.

In return, the Russian Navy decided to replace its outdated and extremely expensive fleet of Su-33 carrier fighter jets with newer, budget-friendly MiG-29K variants by 2015.

Sukhoi and Mikoyan, long-time aircraft suppliers to the Russian Air Force (and significant rivals between them), submitted their proposed standard carrier-based combat platform design to the Soviet Navy. The original land-based Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker was designed to counter the American McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, while the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum was designed to counter the American General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. As such, the Su-27 is a larger aircraft with expanded inherent capabilities, while the MiG-29 is significantly more compact and less expensive to manufacture and maintain. Both Soviet-era designs proved successful (and very effective), earning massive sales for countries and countries allied to the Soviet Union.

Over time, the Soviet Navy needed a similarly capable carrier-based fighter, and the two Soviet companies began modifying their land-based designs, the MiG-29M and Su-27K, respectively. The Soviet Navy ultimately opted for a larger Su-27-based design, although no more than 25 Su-33s were procured for the Soviet Navy's four Kyiv-class aircraft carriers.

Developed a reinforced landing gear for the MiG-29 design for harsh deck operations, and introduced larger area folding wings to improve storage space on space-constrained Soviet aircraft carriers. Where possible, anti-corrosion coatings have been used to counteract the effects of the Aral Sea.

In addition, salvage was made possible by installing a grappling hook under the tail unit.

In the history of the Soviet Navy at this time, the Kyiv-class aircraft carrier was a hybrid of a "battlecruiser" and a dedicated aircraft carrier. As a result, the bow of the Kyiv-class family was reserved for offensive weapons in the form of artillery, missiles and torpedo launchers against enemy air, surface and submarine threats, while the port side of the design retained the sloped stern-port-flight deck . These launchers are primarily designed to operate Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) jump jets and naval helicopters, which require little runway for takeoff and recovery. With the advent of more specialized naval aircraft, the use of ski jumps was required to facilitate takeoffs (a common feature of many European aircraft carrier designs).

The first navalized MiG-29 prototype became the "MiG-29KVP" and its first flight was recorded on August 21, 1982.

An improved form - "MiG-29M" - was soon adopted to this design, and for the needs of the Soviet Navy, the system was renamed MiG-29K ("K" means its in Russian "shipborne" use). The new MiG design includes HOTAS (Hand Throttle and Joystick) capability, an advanced multifunctional active homing radar in the nose, improved air intakes, increased wing area and the ability to retain the ability to deploy precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. A tri-color multifunction display is used in the cockpit for a truly modern all-glass approach. As such, the MiG-29K will be more than just a fleet defense fighter and can conduct ground attack if needed - with a range similar to the American McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

A two-seat derivative was also developed to facilitate the training of new MiG-29K pilots. The second cockpit reduces the amount of internal fuel, thereby limiting the combat range, while at the same time reducing some of the combat qualities of the MiG-29K design.

The modified MiG-29K made its maiden flight on July 23, 1988, with the first carrier landing on the deck of Admiral Kuznetsov the following November. More tests followed to address anticipated project problems, and with the fall of the Soviet Union as a world communist power in 1991, the program suffered a major setback.

Despite the delay, the MiG-29K was never completely abandoned by the Russian military, and by that time, funding was under control, and the MiG-29K would still function as Mikoyan continued to develop into a private company in the ensuing years.

The Kyiv-class aircraft carriers in service with the Soviet (now Russia) Navy had exhausted their usefulness and had become prohibitively expensive to operate and maintain. The Russians apparently had no short-term demand for these aging systems, and the military budget forced them to sell. China bought Kyiv and Minsk, while the Indian government, after lengthy negotiations, bought the Admiral Gorshkov to become their INS Vikramaditya. The ship removed the bow-mounted weapons and installed a ramp for a more traditional aircraft carrier role (although this is not a true "flat-top" design by Western standards). At the time of writing (2012), INS Vikramaditya is currently in beta and is scheduled to be handed over to Indian authorities in December 2012.

In addition to purchasing Admiral Gorshkov, the Indian Navy has decided to buy an initial dozen MiG-29K carrier-based fighter jets in one go, as the larger Sukhoi Su-33 limits the number of fighter jets on the deck of the Kyiv carrier. In addition, several two-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft were procured for pilot training.

The Indian Navy expects to procure about 45 MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighter jets in total. Fifteen of them have been produced, including the necessary engines, fly-by-wire and advanced radar aimed at the Indian Navy.

In contrast, the Indian Navys decision to overtake the MiG-29K on the Su-33 has implications for the Russian Navys plan to in turn replace the existing Su-33 fleet with the MiG-29K. As a result, the Su-33 fleet will be phased out in 2015, pending the arrival of more MiG-29K fighters. The Russian Navy intends to procure about 20 MiG-29K fighter jets, as well as four MiG-29KUB two-seat fighter jets. These will primarily house the Russian Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.

It is worth noting that Kuznetsov himself was very important when testing and evaluating the navalized MiG-29 in previous years.

The basic capabilities of the MiG-29K include speeds above Mach 2 above sea level, a ferry range of up to 2,200 miles, and a service ceiling of 57,000 feet. The rate of climb is reported to be 65,000 feet per minute, a powerful quality for a carrier-based fighter needed to intercept incoming threats.

The aircraft is powered by two Klimov RD-33MK afterburner turbofan engines, each producing 19,800 pounds of thrust. The primary weapon is a 30mm GSh-30-1 internal cannon, while five of the nine possible hardpoints can be equipped with disposable external fuel tanks for extended use. In addition, the MiG-29K will be licensed to launch air-to-air missiles (infrared, semi-active and active homing types), air-to-surface missiles, anti-radiation missiles, anti-ship missiles and missile pods. In addition, the type retains the ability to drop conventional bombs and laser-guided munitions, further expanding the machine's tactical range.

All in all, the MiG-29K will be able to perform a variety of missions, including fleet defense, interception, reconnaissance, pursuit, ground attack and anti-ship operations. For the Indian Navy, this is a broader weapons platform than the existing aging BAe Sea Harrier family.

The avionics kit includes the SPO-15 Beryoza Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) to identify incoming threats to the aircraft. An infrared search and track system is standard, while the radar mounted in the nose cone is an advanced Zhuk-ME series radar system. Basic countermeasures are available to pilots via the provided Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod and the required chaff and flare delivery.

Laser targeting pods can also be attached to the design.

At the time of writing (2012), the production of MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighter and trainer aircraft is underway. About 15 have been produced to date, with production starting in 2005. The Indian Navy received the first batch of MiG-29K transport vehicles in 2009.

Specification

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