Page 87 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

ALL-NEW integrated on the Indian MiG-29K/KUBs
Another non-Russian mission system

is the IAI Elta EL/L-8222 podded self-
MISSION protection jammer (SPJ) system, which
can be installed on the outer starboard
AVIONICS underwing pylon and is typically
intended for use as a self-escort jammer.
The MiG-29K/KUB’s self-protection
SUITE suite also features the Indian-made
Tarang radar-warning-receiver (RWR). In
addition to the two electronic systems,
the aircraft’s self-protection equipment
The MiG-29K/KUB’s mission avionics includes two Russian-made, downwards-
include the PrNK-29K integrated ring APP-50A cha / are dispensers
targeting and navigation suite, its most on the outer side of the engine nacelles
important system being the Phazotron- below the ns, each containing 16
deliveries to Russian Naval Aviation were NIIR FGM-129 Zhuk-ME radar. The rounds.
The single-seater’s full-digital
completed by 2015. mechanically scanned Zhuk-ME works glass cockpit incorporates a large
in both air-to-air and air-to-surface
Ultimate ‘Fulcrum’ modes, and it has multiple-target monochrome IKSh-1M head-up display
engagement capability, with a claimed
(HUD) with 26° eld of view (FoV) and
At the MAKS 2019 aerospace exhibition maximum detection range of around three side-by-side 6 x 8in MFI-10-7 LCD
in Zhukovsky, near Moscow, RAC MiG 81nm (150km) and acquisition range displays, while the two-seater has seven.
showcased the MiG-35’s de nitive export of 65nm (120km) against a ghter-size 2 The MFI-10-7’s resolution is 1,024 x 768
target with a radar cross-section of 5m .
pixels and they are used for displaying
derivative, promoted as a ‘Gen 4++ The radar can track up to 10 air targets ight/navigation, targeting and system
ghter’. It was claimed that this derivative and provide data for the engagement status information as well as digital
uses some technologies inherited from of four of these with the RVV-AE BVR terrain maps and targeting data.
fth-generation ghter design. Tarasenko active-radar missiles, while the air-to- The communication, navigation and
has con rmed that this ‘MiG-35 on surface modes include high-resolution identi cation (CNI) suite of the Indian
shipborne ‘Fulcrums’ incorporates an
terrain-mapping.
steroids’ is seen as a contender in India’s The new OLS-UEM electro-optical (EO) eclectic mixture of French, Indian and
ongoing tender for the procurement of search-and-track system with a sensor Russian-made equipment. The French
110 advanced ghters. window in front of the windshield is equipment is represented by the Sagem
The latest MiG-35 con guration capable of operating 90° left and right Sigma 95N inertial navigation system
sports redesigned, larger-area wings (in azimuth), 15° down and 60° up (in (INS) with integrated GPS receiver for
elevation). It incorporates infrared,
accurate navigation and targeting.
and extended-area vertical ns with laser and TV sensors and works in both The list of Indian-made items includes
rudders mounted ush with the n air-to-air and air-to-surface modes. a radio altimeter, TACAN short-range
trailing edge. The ns feature cropped In the former mode, the EO system is navigation system, VOR/ILS/MRK
top surfaces (so-called square ns) claimed as being capable of detecting navigation aids, IFF and UHF/VHF radios,
instead of the downwards-canted design. and automatically tracking aerial targets while Russian company Polyot supplies
the R-800L2 VHF/HF radio as well as
in tail-on engagements at a maximum
These changes were likely introduced to distance of 24nm (45km), while the the R-098 jam-resistant secure tactical
enhance aerodynamic performance and Above: A head-on detection range is advertised to datalink system for sharing targeting
production-
further improve aircraft controllability standard be up to 8nm (15km). and navigation data.
at high AoA. MiG-29KUBR two- The third component of the MiG-29K/ The MiG-29K/KUBs built for the
Tarasenko noted that this new MiG-35 seater, belonging KUB’s sophisticated targeting suite Russian naval air arm are known to have
to Russian
retained the Sigma 95N system, but
ordered by the Indian Navy is the Thales
derivative for export customers has Naval Aviation’s TopSight helmet-mounted sight and all the equipment of Indian and Israeli
a further re ned airframe design 100th OKIAP, an display (HMSD) system, allowing o - origin was removed and Russian-made
and is powered by uprated Klimov independent boresight target designation and cueing equivalents were integrated — for
shipborne
RD-33MK engines. He said it sports a aviation regiment, of the EO sensor, radar, INS and the example, the Tarang RWR was replaced
modular avionics suite and, in addition home-based at seekers of IR- and TV-guided air-to-air by the SPO-150 Pastel while the NSTs-T
and air-to-surface missiles.
replaced the TopSight HMSD.
to the Zhuk-A/AM AESA radar and a Severomorsk-3
near Murmansk.
T220 targeting pod, uses a Russian- Andrey Zinchuk
made extra-wide eld of view HUD.
Furthermore, Tarasenko claimed that the Right: The
Russian Naval
new AESA radar o ered for the MiG-35 is Aviation
capable of simultaneously tracking up to ‘Fulcrums’,
30 aerial targets. designated
MiG-29KR (single-
This is without doubt the ultimate seater) and
incarnation of this Russian classic — a MiG-29KUBR (two-
ghter that has continued to re-invent seater), sport a
true multi-role
itself, and one that may just have enough capability with a
in the tank to be able to secure more variety of guided
precious business for the Russian ghter air-to-surface
munitions.
industry. Andrey Zinchuk
www.Key.Aero // January 2020 87

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80-87 MiG-29 pt2 C.indd 87
80-87 MiG-29 pt2 C.indd 87 21/11/2019 20:54