Mikoyan MiG-29M - Design

Design

Facts based on

Features

The MiG-29M/M2 aircraft is a revision of the basic MiG-29. It achieved a more robust multi-role capability with enhanced use of air-to-air and air-to-ground high-precision weapons. It also featured considerably increased combat range owing to an increase in its internal fuel capacity. Along with a better pilot-to-aircraft interface in the cockpit, a digital three-channel fourfold redundant fly-by-wire system, improved navigation, radio communications, electronic countermeasures, monitoring and recording systems, and optronic and reconnaissance pods, have improved overall aircraft performance considerably.

Airframe evolutions

A few changes took place during the aircraft's development. The redesigned airframe was constructed from a lightweight aluminum-lithium alloy to increase thrust-to-weight ratio. Air intakes' geometry was revised, the upper intake louvers removed to make way for more fuel in the LERXs, mesh screens introduced to prevent foreign object damage (FOD) and enlarged inlet dimensions for higher airflow. The back of the aircraft featured an enlarged spine for more fuel capacity and a dorsal air brake. Radome and canopy were redesigned to give space for avionic upgrades. Aerodynamics were also revised. The wings increased span and aileron, while the tail fins revised trailing edges.

Powerplant

The RD-33MK, the latest revision of the RD-33, has 7% more power in comparison to the baseline model due to the usage of modern materials on the cooled blades, it provide a thrust of 9,000 kgf. In response to long time criticism, the new engines are smokeless and contain improvements that reduce its infrared visibility. Thrust vectoring nozzles are now offered upon customer’s request.

Range and fuel system

The aircraft is built with an in-flight-refueling (IFR) probe and is able to carry three fuel drop tanks. The redesigned airframe also significantly increased internal fuel capacity in the dorsal spine and LERXs fuel tanks. These give the aircraft of single seat an operation range of 2,000 km with internal fuel, 3,200 km with three fuel drop tanks, and 6,000 km with three drop tanks and in-flight-refueling.

Cockpit

The cockpit has been redesigned to incorporate contemporary features. While some analogue instruments have been retained, two monochrome liquid crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFD) have been introduced and new weapon controls have been incorporated in a HOTAS concept. Other new features include the Zhuk-ME radar, an infra-red search and track (IRST) system and a helmet-mounted target designation system (early HMD).

Sensors

Main upgrades consists the Zhuk-ME pulse-Doppler airbone radar, along with revised IRST systems, helmet-mounted target designation system and electronic countermeasures. New radar capable of detecting air targets at ranges up to 120 km, track-while-scan of ten targets and attack of four targets at a time. In scanning surface targets, the radar detection range of destroyer-type targets is 250 km and that of missile launcher-type targets is 150 km. Hence beyond visual range (BVR) engage is greatly enhanced.

Armament

The aircraft can carry the RVV-AE (R-77), R-27ER1, R-27ET1, R-27R1, R-27T1, R-73E air-to-air missiles, the Kh-29T, Kh-29L, Kh-31A, Kh-31P, Kh-35E air-to-surface missiles, the KAB-500KR (OD), KAB-500L guided bombs, as well as rockets and free-fall bombs. The aircraft retains the GSh-301 built-in gun.