Function: High speed, high altitude, long range interceptor.





Description: Designed in 1972 to replace the aging MiG-21 and MiG-23, the Fulcrum represented a revolutionary devlopement in Soviet fighter aircraft performance. Though lacking the sophisticated electronics and "fly-by-wire" systems of contemporary Western aircraft like the American F-16 Falcon and the F-15 Eagle, the MiG-29's agility and maneuverability make it their equal in term of performance. In addition, the MiG-29 incorperates a unique forward looking infrared target aquisition system which allows the Fulcrum to aquire and engage targets with heat seeking missiles or its internally mounted cannon without being detected by radar-detecting threat warning recievers. To take advantage of the MiG-29's incredable turning ability, the pilot is equiped with a helmet mounted target designation reticle which can be used to designate and engage targets outside of the fighter's forward plane of travel.



Entering service in 1984 as the Fulcrum-A, the current production model is the Fulcrum-C, which incorperates a redesigned fuselage and increased internal fuel capacity.





General Characteristics, MiG-29 Fulcrum-A



Designer:

Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau





Power Plant:

Two Sarkisov RD-33 afterburning turbofans





Thrust:

18,300 pounds each





Length:

17.32 meters (56.83 feet)





Height:

4.73 meters (15.5 feet)





Wingspan:

11.36 meters (37.25 feet)





Speed:

2,455 kmh (1,520 mph) at 30,000 feet





Ceiling:

17,000 meters (55,775 feet)







Weight:

15,240.7 kilograms (33,600 pounds) empty





Maximum Takeoff Weight:

18,499.8 kilograms (40,785 pounds)





Range:

2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles)





Crew:

One





Armament:

One GSh-30-1 30mm internally mounted cannon with 150 rounds of ammunition



3,000 kilograms (6,614 pounds) of external ordinance including missiles, rockets, gravity bombs, and guided munitions carried on six hardpoints





Date Deployed:

1984