Aircraft overview
The Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum is a twin-engined tactical fighter developed to contest the airspace near the front line. Air defence is its principal role, with an additional ability to attack ground targets. Its radar, infrared tracking equipment and helmet-mounted aiming system give the early MiG-29A several ways to find and engage an opponent.
Development began in the early 1970s in response to a new generation of American fighters, including the F-15 and F-16. The prototype first flew on 6 October 1977; production began in 1982 and deliveries to Soviet Frontal Aviation units followed in 1983.
Photograph: Julian Herzog · 3 June 2016 · Photo source · CC BY 4.0
At a glance
MiG-29A · early single-seat fighter; later MiG-29 configurations differ
- Principal role
- Tactical air defence and air superiorityAlso capable of ground attack.
- Crew
- One pilotMiG-29A single-seat version.
- Engines
- Two Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofansEarly MiG-29A reference.
- Length / wingspan
- 17.32 m / 11.35 mLength includes the projecting air-data probe.
- Height
- 4.73 mAirframe dimension.
- Maximum take-off mass
- 18,000 kgWhole aircraft, including fuel and carried stores.
- Fixed armament
- One 30 mm GSh-301 cannonMissile or ground-attack stores depend on the mission.
In Air Defender
Role guidance · v0.8.16.0
Air Defender’s v0.8.16.0 catalogue lists the MiG-29 as an air-superiority fighter. The game label is broader than the MiG-29A described above, and its catalogue figures appear separately below.
Follow the identification procedure using the contact’s identity and track information. Aircraft type describes the machine; it does not establish the intentions of an individual flight. Aircraft Data and fighter reports provide different kinds of information.
Game catalogue values · v0.8.16.0
In-game specifications
These figures come from the game’s general aircraft reference. A matching civilian register entry can supply different fields in Aircraft Data. How to read the two layouts →
- Role
- Air Superiority Fighter
- Category
- Military Fighter
- Service ceiling
- 59,000 ftA reference upper height. Read Flight Info for the contact’s present height.
- Maximum speed
- 1,290 knotsA reference maximum, not the speed the aircraft is flying now.
- Cruise speed
- 500 knotsA typical speed for the main part of a flight, not a guaranteed commanded speed.
- Stall speed
- 145 knotsA reference for specified conditions. Stalling means the wing loses lift, not that an engine stops.
- Typical crew
- 1
- Powerplant
- Twin turbofan engines with afterburners (Klimov RD-33) Compare engine types →
- Manufacturer
- Mikoyan (Russia)
Use the right procedure
In depth
Airframe and flight controls
The MiG-29A has a broad, lifting centrebody, swept wings with leading-edge extensions and two vertical fins. Aluminium alloys form much of the structure, with titanium and steel in highly stressed areas and some composite components.
Early MiG-29A aircraft use conventional hydraulically operated flight controls. Later family members have changes to their controls and structural materials, so their equipment can differ from the early MiG-29A.
Two RD-33 engines
Two RD-33 turbofans occupy engine nacelles beneath the fuselage. Each has two shafts and an afterburner, which burns additional fuel downstream of the turbine to increase thrust. The afterburner is an engine operating mode, not a separate engine.
Radar, infrared tracking and helmet aiming
The N019 Doppler radar supports detection of targets below the fighter against ground clutter. Infrared tracking and a laser rangefinder supplement the radar.
A helmet-mounted aiming device lets the pilot point a missile seeker towards a target by looking at it. This supports off-boresight aiming: the target need not sit directly ahead on the aircraft’s centreline.
Air-to-air and ground-attack armament
The early MiG-29A has a built-in 30 mm GSh-301 cannon. Its air-to-air armament includes medium-range radar-guided missiles and short-range infrared-guided missiles, with up to six air-to-air missiles in the listed fit.
Bombs and unguided rockets provide a ground-attack capability. These are alternative mission loads; a weapons list is not a statement that every aircraft carries all of them at once.
Variants
MiG-29A
Early single-seat fighter with RD-33 engines, radar and infrared tracking.
Later MiG-29 developments
Later versions have different equipment, flight controls and structural materials from the early MiG-29A.