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Russia's Aircraft Carrier Set for a Massive Upgrade: The Lethal MiG-29K
The National Interest ^ | Apr 13, 2016 | Dave Majumdar

Posted on 04/13/2016 10:45:18 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

The Russian Navy’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is set to deploy to the Mediterranean Sea with a new air wing configuration. Instead of just the Sukhoi Su-33, Kuznetsov will deploy with a mixed air group with comprised of Flanker-Ds, Su-25UTG Frogfoots and the new Mikoyan MiG-29K Fulcrum-D.

“According to plans of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, the Admiral Kuznetsov in September-October will enter the Mediterranean Sea, where it will become a flagship of the Russian Navy's grouping,” a Russian defense ministry source told the TASS News agency. “The aircraft carrier will have on board a mixed group of deck jets Sukhoi Su-33, Su-25UTG and Mikoyan MiG-29K.”

The carrier is currently at Murmansk, however its air wing will be practicing carrier takeoff and landing skills at training facilities in Saki, Crimea, and at Yeisk—which is on the shores of the Azov Sea. This is the new Fulcrum model’s first operational deployment in Russian service. The MiG-29K was tested onboard Kuznetsov in 2009—but has never deployed operationally with the Russian fleet.

The Indian Navy, however, operates a total of sixteen MiG-29Ks from the carrier INS Vikramaditya. New Delhi has ordered a total of forty-five Fulcrum-Ds to serve onboard Vikramaditya and the future INS Vikrant—which is set to become India’s first indigenous carrier in 2018. India might increase its MiG-29K/KUB fleet in the future as more carriers enter service.

The MiG-29K is a much-improved variant of the original Fulcrum. As a carrier-based model, it features a reinforced airframe and undercarriage to handle the shock of carrier landings. It’s also is fitted with folding wings and a tailhook. The airframe also features signature reduction measures to cut the jet’s radar cross-section by a factor of four.

The jet also features more powerful and fuel-efficient Klimov RD-33MK engines, which are fitted with full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). Overall, the new powerplants should be far more reliable and maintenance friendly than the older RD-33K. Unlike the original MiG-29, the new Fulcrum-D features a digital fly-by-wire system.

The new Fulcrums’ avionic suite is based around the Zhuk-ME pulse doppler radar, which can track up to ten contacts while engaging four targets simultaneously. It’s also fitted with a new multichannel infrared search and track (IRST) system. The avionics are based on the ubiquitous MIL-STD-1553B open architecture standard for easier upgrades. The aircraft is able carry a host of air-to-air and air-to-surface guided-weapons including the Kh-35E anti-ship missile.

Moscow has ordered two-dozen of the new jets to eventually replace the Su-33 in Russian Navy service.

The aircraft should be delivered to the Russian fleet before the end of the year.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: admiralkuznetsov; aerospace; mig29k; russia

1 posted on 04/13/2016 10:45:18 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Other than improved engine control, no mention of what I gathered was a huge Mig-29 issue: very short range.

Then again, the F-18 had the same issue.

2 posted on 04/13/2016 10:55:33 PM PDT by doorgunner69
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To: doorgunner69

Item: “The jet also features more powerful and fuel-efficient Klimov RD-33MK engines”

Also: The F-18 has actually been getting *shorter* ranged, especially with the new Super Hornets.


3 posted on 04/13/2016 11:03:48 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: doorgunner69

The range issue is about irrelevant since its a ski-jump carrier, so the aircraft will at best be used for air defense or short-range strike. The F-18 could at least be launched at full load thanks to CATOBAR.

The Russians are buying the 29K to leverage the upgrades offered as a result of India buying 45 of the same jets. They didn’t want to pay for an upgraded SU-33.


4 posted on 04/13/2016 11:06:41 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: doorgunner69

Per the Russians’ export bureau and as confirmed by the Indian Navy (as well as external observers of the Indian Navy), the unrefueled ‘ferry’ range of the MiG-29K is 1,243 miles without drop tanks, 1,860 with triple drop tanks.

Still shorter than the F/A-18E in ferry config, but it’s not the <1000 mile wonder the MiG-25 and some of the earlier 29s were.

On the other hand, it’s got a full multi-channel infrared look-down shoot-down system which we still haven’t installed on our F-18s. And theirs actually works really well.


5 posted on 04/13/2016 11:10:16 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

The Indians’ next carrier is to be electromagnetic CATOBAR equipped. Electromag greatly simplifies catapault launchers; expect the next generation Russian carriers to have electromag catapaults and for the Chinese to fit them to their upcoming Type 002 carrier.


6 posted on 04/13/2016 11:17:35 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Spktyr

“it’s got a full multi-channel infrared look-down shoot-down system which we still haven’t installed on our F-18s. And theirs actually works really well.”

Must the pilots think in Russian?

:-)


7 posted on 04/13/2016 11:34:41 PM PDT by PastorBooks
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To: Spktyr

See my post #7... hit the wrong link


8 posted on 04/13/2016 11:35:35 PM PDT by PastorBooks
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To: PastorBooks

One of my favorite movies, especially when it came out.

I miss the laser disc arcade game. That was fun too.


9 posted on 04/14/2016 12:09:55 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Time to worry is when Putin launches three or four Carriers—or at least lays the keel on several.


10 posted on 04/14/2016 2:02:13 AM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll Onward! Ride to the sound of the guns!)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Can they take off when the carrier is being towed by the tug that accompanies it?


11 posted on 04/14/2016 5:20:44 AM PDT by cassiusking
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Have they fixed the corrosion and mechanical issues?


12 posted on 04/14/2016 10:10:07 AM PDT by Little Ray (NOTHING THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO PAY FOR IS A RIGHT.)
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To: doorgunner69
F18 = tanker junkie
13 posted on 04/14/2016 3:13:07 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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