capabilities of the defense industry of the USSR repeatedly underestimate the enemy, both potential and very real.A series of samples of Soviet weapons in the history of the country has become a benchmark for designers most developed industrially States.Some of them even became a symbol of the armed forces of the USSR and the new Russia.Thank Shpagin machines and rifles, tanks T-34 and T-54, "Katyusha" and other Russian deadly products far beyond sixth of the land.MiG warplanes also belong to the classics of Russian weapons.
history KB MiG
Design Bureau began working before the Great Patriotic War.Engineers Mikoyan (brother of Stalin's Commissar) and Mikhail Gurevich in 1940 managed to create a great fighter, one of the characteristics of the best in the world.He had a number of shortcomings, but at the time of the first test take-off this lightweight speed machine with streamlined contours could compete with any aircraft in Germany, Britain or the United States.
KB has always sought not only to follow the world trends aircraft industry, but also the opportunity to ask them.The first production jet fighter in the USSR, the MiG-9, was a response to the successful implementation of the Air Force Western aircraft in its class.
Reactive era
unpleasant surprise for the American pilots became the MiG-15, for speed and maneuverability characteristics superior to the vaunted production Northrop and other manufacturers from the United States, considers his unrivaled technique.In the sky belligerent Vietnam proved to be excellent interceptor MiG-17 and MiG-21.There have been other models of aircraft, MiG-19 and MiG-23.During the war between Israel and Egypt heavy duty MiG-25 has repeatedly violated the front line, making raids on Tel Aviv.And although it did not have any weapons, the fact of impunity Soviet aircraft flying over the country, armed with the latest US air defense systems has frozen many hotheads.A number of regional conflicts in which the Soviet MiG warplanes showed itself at its best, has become a kind of advertising the brand, a guarantee of quality and the highest efficiency of the Soviet military equipment.The crowning effort of designers was the MiG-29.Technical characteristics of the fighter and today, 37 years after the end of the main design work, it is meet modern requirements for combat vehicles in its class.
important government task
In the late sixties - early seventies, the main "workhorse" the US Air Force and a number of countries - potential enemies of the USSR - was the famous F-4 "Phantom" of different modifications of the company McDonnell Douglas.The design of this aircraft has been very successful, it could decide on the universal nature of the problem - from conducting air combat maneuvering before the bombing and missile strikes on ground targets.But the experience of Vietnam and the Middle East showed that against the Soviet MiG-21 and even earlier MiG-17 to fight it hard.The ratio of losses was not in favor of the Americans.In the United States have begun work on creating a replacement "Phantom", which resulted in fighter jets F-14s "Tomcat" and the F-15 "Eagle".Soviet Air Force urgently needed modernization in view of promising projects overseas aircraft manufacturers with their "cats" and "eagles".CB MiG Soviet government set a task.By the fall of 1977 I was ready the latest MiG-29.Rise of the prototype took place on October 6.Five years later, the aircraft have adopted the Air Forces of the USSR.
little about appearance
In those years, even the appearance of a new type of weapon was a state secret.Indeed, many revolutionary technical solutions, including conceptual, became a distinctive feature of the MiG-29.Photo inadvertently published in the press, or write demonstration flight, demonstrated on television, could bring specialists enemy camp thinking about the future of mainline aircraft industry.According to the idea of the Chief Designer M. Waldenberg supported succeeding General Artem Mikoyan R. Belyakov, the plane was the so-called integrated circuit layout.This means that from that adopted in the global aviation division structure on the plane and the fuselage in the KB withdrew.All the glider composed of smooth transitions, sagging, with the "classical" side walls only in the nose.
measures secrecy were not excessive caution.Spy on other people's trends and able specialists designed the MiG.Photo Variable Intake said "Phantom", made in one of the air shows, given once invaluable information to our engineers.The same unit was used in the MiG-23.
power plant and the figure "Bell»
Aircraft Engines have two (PO-RD or RD-ZZK modification "M"), as they are below the wing.They can reach the total thrust of 16 600 to 17 600 kN (kgf).If we take into account that the take-off weight of the machine more than 15 tons, it is easy to conclude that exceeded the value of the indicator unit thrust-weight ratio.This in turn means that if the MiG-29 set vertically and bring the situation in the Gaza Strip, close to the limit, it will hang on site or rises above without the wing lift.This technical feature allows you to not only show the unique aerobatics on demonstrations, but also has important practical significance.Locators operate on the Doppler principle and can only track moving objects.At the time of implementation of the "bell" and "Cobra" (namely the so-called aerobatics, during which there is a "freeze") the speed of the MiG-29 is equal to zero, and all the control and guidance of air defense of the enemy cease to see it on their screens.
«Gills' MiG-29
The design of the airplane, there are other solutions that demonstrate fresh approaches to solving pressing problems.Powerful propulsion system requires a lot of air, and it is sucked into the receiving intake in large quantities.If the runway is covered with snow, it is present in the sand (which in some areas is not uncommon), or other contaminants, it all falls into the turbine.There are several ways to deal with this scourge.For example, you can install the air filters in the car.But they also tend to get clogged.Or another solution: to place air intakes higher.But it degrades the aerodynamic properties of the airframe.In the case of the MiG-29 designers have taken an unusual and unique solution.Air intake before the retraction of the landing gear through additional inlets in the upper fairing, which connects the wing to the fuselage.These two rows are arranged symmetrically on the right and left side.They were called "gills".During the run-up, and planting of the main air intake completely closed, and only after a sufficient height for safe operation they open.
Avionics
Not only the powerful engines and excellent aerodynamics famous MiG-29.Specifications, whatever they were rasprekrasno in modern air combat does not guarantee victory, if the pilot is not designed ergonomic conditions and information support to ensure the possibility of instant decision.Still, the fourth generation to something obliges, especially as the latest achievements of electronics of our probable opponents have always been treated with great attention.The fact that the basis of the information and computer system is on-board computer (this TS100.02-06), there is nothing surprising.For the first time in the country (and perhaps in the world) used many additional devices to facilitate the work of the pilot.In particular, "Natasha" (as pilots nicknamed the Voice Processing System display, it really is "Almaz-UP"), a pleasant female voice will tell you that the approach is performed on the lack of height or speed, alert about the enemy who have come to the tail, or anotherdanger, error or abnormality.
guided weapons is very convenient.The information is projected onto the windshield glass portion of the canopy and on the headset installed targeting.He looked at the plane, took the decision to attack by pressing the arming - and we can assume that the enemy is no more.Such is a deadly look at our pilots.And if his head and lost spatial orientation, then do not worry, I pressed another button and the plane itself and adjust to trim and roll.
electronic control system
In modern military aircraft avionics divide and weapons control system is very difficult.Without sensitive detection of targets against the background of the Earth's surface radar to win today is almost impossible, but the device performs a navigation function.The MiG-29 is equipped with a radar type HO-93, able to accompany the ten targets simultaneously.It is part of the sighting and navigation complex OEPRNK-29, which can perform rapid mapping, algorithms calculates attacks on marine and terrestrial enemy targets.In its structure there optronic sighting system OEPS-29, when it is applied to the development of the latest advances in quantum physics.The aim is detected and recognized at a distance of 35 km (in the Dogon) to 75 km (free space).In general, the control system is complicated, but in spite of this, it is convenient to use.
The shoot?
experience of the Vietnam War showed that some missiles to dogfight, especially maneuverable difficult.Depriving artillery "Phantom", the Americans were forced to invent a special suspended containers with a gun and ammunition.The MiG-29 is armed with rapid-(1500 rounds per minute) gun GS-301 water-cooled, which has a stock of one hundred rounds (30 mm).
missile There are six external pylons mounted under the wings.Depending on the task, they can install the SD (R-73 or R-60M).To strike at ground targets used SD-type X-25M.Putting these means is carried out either by a television signal or by a laser beam.Aiming unguided (NAR in magazines, bombs) produced by radar.Marine targets affected UR X-29 and supersonic anti-ship missiles like the X-31A, which can carry the MiG-29.Armament advanced models of rockets built into the design of suspension assemblies.
total bombs and rockets is limited by the maximum combat load of 3 tons (base model) and 4, 5 tons (the MiG-29M).
TTX MiG-29 aircraft
size and weight of slightly less contemporary American counterparts, which include F-14s and F-15s.Wingspan Soviet interceptor little more than 11 meters (the same at "Tomcat" at the maximum sweep, and the "needle" - 13 m).The length is 17 meters with a barbell refueling (19 against each of the "Americans).MiG-29, weighing about 15 tons, it is easier both planes - probable opponents (approximately eighteen tons each).Link the two turbines exceeds that of the American cars and reaches 17 600 kN (14 500 at the "Tomcat", and a little over 13 thousand. The "Needle").
relatively small area of the wing (38 sq. M.) Can alert a high specific load, but it is compensated by high strength airframe due to the peculiarities of the integrated layout.The speed of the MiG-29 reaches 2.3 M (2 450 km / h) at the deck variant of the MiG-29K, it is somewhat lower, 2300 km / h.For comparison: F-14, able to develop a 1.88 M (1 995 km / h) and F-15 - 2 650 km / h.Another important indicator - the length of the path during takeoff and landing.To take off the MiG, it is enough runway length of 700 meters, and with afterburner - only 260 meters. He sits on a platform 600 meters long.This allows you to use it as a carrier-based aircraft (with rope brake system), or operate in a poorly prepared airfields (or even sections of the highway, as it happened during the Yugoslav war).About the same razbezhno-yzer characteristics are both American cars.Ability to use a fighter as the base on aircraft carriers and provided constructive wing made foldable.The landing speed of the MiG-29 is 235 km / h, which also points to its "sea soul."US palubniki have the same the same period.
Practical ceiling MiG reaches 17 thousand meters and occupies an intermediate position between the F-14s and F-15s.
averaged fighting qualities of the Soviet MiG-29, the technical characteristics and maneuverability make it possible to assert that the aircraft is superior to all foreign analogs, developed at the same time as he.The ability to disappear from the radar screens in the midst of aerial combat makes this machine unique.Innovation applied to the control system, the domestic aviation industry brought to a new level.It is also important that the MiG-29 has a broad potential for modification.His targeting of different species, different flight range, with different functional purpose on-board electronic equipment, from training to front-line fighter "flying desk", released more than two dozen.Two of them (the MiG-33 and MiG-35) highlighted in the independent model line CB them.Mikoyan and Gurevich.
With different emblems on the wings
After collapse of the USSR a single state military fleet was divided between the former Soviet republics.Experiencing financial difficulties, many of them have started to sell their unwanted equipment.For example, Moldova lost to the United States two decades of used MiG-29.The cost of each aircraft was $ 2 million, which is much lower than the market price.Americans this interceptor needed to work out tactics to combat air force, armed with which he is.MiGs were sold to conflict zones in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world.
Force member countries of the Warsaw Pact also armed MiGs-29.Almost all of them made available to a "partner" of Russia in the face of NATO.German Luftwaffe pilots accustomed mostly to American technology, were pleasantly surprised by the comfort and ergonomic control - characteristic qualities of MiG-29 Soviet fighter Photos with Maltese crosses (identification signs of the German Air Force), first aroused the uninitiated baffled, and then everyone got used to it.
aircraft is in service with more than twenty five countries, and they change it while everything is not going to.
When choosing a supplier of defense products foreign governments are guided mainly fighting qualities and political considerations.But Equally important is the financial aspect of the transaction.MiG-29, which costs about 70-75 million dollars per unit, can solve most of the specific military tasks better than its transatlantic rival the F-15, for which the "asked" to hundreds of millions.In our time of crisis, such a difference is clearly playing into the hands of Russian "Oboroneksportu."
Combat experience MiG
As long as the rivalry "footholds» («Fulcrum», as NATO called the MiG-29) and American "Orlov» F-15 was of a theoretical nature, it is possible to argue about what kind ofaircraft better.The first major real clash between two rival machines took place in the sky over the Persian Gulf (1991, operation "Desert Storm").Against the backdrop of the overall success, due to careful preparation, the advantage of information and analytical software and quantitative superiority, such as poorly was illuminated by the fact that during the war in the Gulf of Allied aircraft and was not able to win at least one confirmed victory over Iraqi MiG29.Technical characteristics of the interceptor pilots Hussein created the conditions for aerial victories, documented case of the destruction of the British "Tornado" in the northwest of Iraq (according to unconfirmed reports he was not the only one).
13 Yugoslav MiG-29 (there were 15 armed with Yugoslavia, but two to the top of aggression proved to be unsuitable for departures) withstood many times greater than the forces of NATO.Somehow mysteriously American pilots (according to them) downed them 24. In reality, it was not such a bravura as reported to NATO pilots.Four units were bombed at the airport, one interceptor lost in the accident.
