 OVERVIEW: The MiG-29S aka Izdeliye 9-13S aka "Fulcrum C” is a single seat, twin engine, medium-range, all-weather, 4th generation air superiority fighter capable of BVR engagements. It also has a ground attack capability.

DETAILS: Similar in concept to the USAF's heavyweight/lightweight F-15/F-16 fighter fleet mix, the MiG-29 was developed as a lightweight and more affordable fighter to complement the heavier Su-27. The Fulcrum's mostly aluminum airframe features a blended, mid-mounted swept-wing with leading-edge root extensions (LERX) and a canted twin tail. This design results in the fuselage and LERX of the aircraft providing 40% of the lift, resulting a high lift-to-drag ratio.

The Fulcrum C was originally intended to partially remedy the Fulcrum A's short range, by adding a bulged spine aft of the cockpit to increase internal fuel tankage, as well as providing for two 1150 liter/304 gallon underwing tanks. It also introduced the N019M Topaz-M radar, enabling simultaneous dual-target engagements as well as increased resistance to jamming. Combat capability was improved by giving the MiG-29S the capability of using the R-77 (AA-12 ADDER) BVR missile, as well as increasing the maximum ordnance load. It also incorporated an internal active radar jammer and improved IRST, and improved maneuverability by increasing the operational AoA from 26° to 28°.

Despite not having a fly-by-wire capability, the Fulcrum 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 Fulcrum C is powered by two widely-spaced RD-33 afterburning turbofans, each producing 11,100 lbs. of thrust (military) or 18,300 lbs. at afterburner. The design cruising-speed is 920 knots, and the aircraft has a 1.1 high thrust-to-weight ratio. The RD-33 was designed for easy repairs, with only 45 minutes needed for an engine change. While reliable, the RD-33's advanced design resulted in a short time between overhauls (TBO) of only fifty hours, although improvement subsequently increased this to 350 hours by the late 1980's. The engines also produced a distinctive smoke trail, especially when transitioning between power settings.

The MiG-29 is capable of rough-field operations, with doors on the intakes providing FOD protection during taxi and take-off. With high lift- and thrust-to-weight ratios, the MiG-29 requires only 250 meters for take-off roll, and when using a drogue chute can reduce its landing roll to only 610 meters.

Combat systems include a N019M Topaz-M pulse-Doppler radar. Armament includes an integral single-barrel 30 mm cannon with 150 rounds and a 32-round over wing chaff/flare dispenser. Six pylons allow for the carrying of a wide variety of ordnance, including BVR-capable R-27R1 (AA-10 ALAMO), the R-27 and the close-in R-73 (AA-11 ARCHER) and R-60 (AA-8 APHID) AAMs. While dogfighting, a helmet-mounted sight can be used to cue IR-homing missiles onto an off-boresight target up to 45° from the Fulcrum's nose. For ground-attack, the MiG-29 could be equipped with a variety of gravity bombs and rockets.

NOTES: IOC: 1992. Only 16 delivered.

SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 4055; 4087, 4102; 4340;  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.