OVERVIEW: The MiG-29K aka Izdeliye 9-31 aka "Fulcrum D” is a single seat, twin engine, medium-range, all-weather, carrier-capable, 4th generation air superiority fighter capable of BVR engagements. It also has a ground attack capability.

DETAILS:   The MiG-29K was designed as a carrier-capable fighter aircraft intended for operation on short take-off arrested recovery carriers to provide air defense  of the carrier group.

The MiG-29K is based on the MiG-29M, with a  folding wing with increased area, arresting hook and and a strengthed undercarriage for carrier operations. The MiG-29M introduced a new airframe and LERX design and a fly-by-wire control systems to improve maneuverability at high AoA. To save weight, the airframe was constructed of aluminum-lithium alloy, and the use of composites was increased.

The MiG-29K featured increased internal fuel tankage by 1500 liters over the original 9-12 design by reducing the ammunition for the gun to only one hundred rounds, and modifying the FOD protection system, increasing the aircraft's range by almost 40%. The range was further increased by adding an inflight-refueling (IFR) probe and the capability to carry three drop tanks. 

The MiG-29K improved on the Fulcrum A's dog-fighting performance. It is very agile, capable of performing sustained 9 g turns.  It has excellent instantaneous and sustained turn performance, and a high AoA capability. An overridable AoA limiter prevents the aircraft from exceeding max AoA and departing controlled flight. For close-range/low-speed dogfighting, the Fulcrum's nose can easily be pointed using rudder. The improvements to its airframe and flight control system increased the MiG-29K's handling in low-speed/close-in dogfighting. The MiG-29K's canopy height was increased, resulting in improved forward and side-on visibility. 

  It also incorporated the N010 Zhuk pulse-Doppler radar, enabling simultaneous dual-target engagements of up to four targets, as well as providing an air-to-ground capability. MiG-29Ms can also use the BVR-capable R-27R1 (AA-10 ALAMO) and the R-77 (AA-12 ARCHER), as well as the close-in R-73 (AA-11 ARCHER). It also increased the number of hardpoints to eight and strengthening the wing to allow up to 4,500 kg of ordinance. For ground-attack, the MiG-29M could be equipped with a variety of gravity bombs and rockets, as well as guided ordinance such as the AS-12 KEDGE, AS-17 KRYPTON and the AS-22. The capacity of the internal chaff dispenser increased to 120 rounds, and the wing tips modified to incorporate EW systems. Like the Fulcrum C, the pilot MiG-29M had provisions for a helmet-mounted sight for cuing IR-homing missiles onto an off-boresight target up to 45° from the Fulcrum's nose. 

The MiG-29K is powered by two widely-spaced RD-33MK afterburning turbofans, each producing 12,120 lbs. of thrust (military) or 19,400 lbs. at afterburner.  The RD-33K also had an emergency afterburning mode that increase thrust for a limited period of time to 20,725 lbs. of thrust, allowing it go make ski-jump assisted "max weight" take offs from a carrier deck in only 195 meters, and in little as 105 meters when armed with a typical AAW load out.   The design cruising-speed is 920 knots, and the aircraft has a high thrust-to-weight ratio. The powerplant incorporates an IR and optical signature visibility reduction system.


NOTES: The MiG-29K was not ordered into production and only two prototypes were originally built because the Russian Navy preferred the Su-27K (later re-designated Su-33) in the early 1990s; IOC: 2009 (India)


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 4055; 4087, 4102; 4328, 4392; Gordon, Yefim, Mikoyan Mig-29: Famous Russian Aircraft. 2006, pg. 24-25; "Military Aviation." Military Aviation. Accessed October 9, 2022. https://sirviper.com/index.php?page=fighters/mig-29/mig-29a.
