The MiG-29

The Mig-29

Introduced a few years after the US introduced their F-15 and F-16 planes, the MiG-29 was designed to be an equal of these planes. One other reason was that a new look-down shoot-down pulse-doppler radar had to be developed to counter low flying threats. Like the MiG-31 the MiG-29 is descended from the MiG-25.

The MiG-29 can carry up to 6 missiles and has 2 large cannons , one on each side of the fuselage. The range of missiles includes the AA-8 IR seeking Aphid and the AA-10 a 25 mile range radar guided missile. Some MiG-29's also carry a laser range finder.

MiG-29 is larger than the F-16 (about the size of a F/A-18) and is reported to be able to maintain the 9g constant turn rate of the F-16. The plane is controlled by a Fly-By-Wire system, a first for the USSR. The MiG-29 is pushed along by 2 Tumansky R-33D low-bypass turbofan engines. Each engine produce about 18,500 lb of dry thrust. It is unknown if a ground attack version is being produced at this time.

A little bird told me that a rather rebelious pilot named Alex flew a MiG-29 into Turkey and landed. The Russians demanded their plane back. Turkey gladly returned it, after they took it apart and examined all the little pieces. I hear that it took the Russians quite a while to put it back together again. Meanwhile Alex is in the USA somewhere writing a book!