Egypt celebrates completion of MiG-29 delivery by doing an elephant walk

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Egypt now has close to 50 MiG-29. Largest operator of MiG-29 in Africa and the Middle East. Congrats!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1247564119634403328

 

[The SC]

Mikoyan MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F)

4.5th Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft


The Mikoyan MiG-35 is the latest incarnation of the successful light-weight MiG-29 Fulcrum series. With an increase to its MTOW by as much as 30%, the MiG-35 is now considered in the medium weight class. The aircraft is codenamed "Fulcrum-F" by NATO sources and is considered a full-fledged, multi-role platform utilizing the latest in Russian-originated search, tracking, and targeting systems comparable to Western aircraft types of same role. The aircraft is intended as both a local and export product for/by Russia and is inherently adaptable to various in-service Western systems to allow the product to compete more favorably in the global marketplace.

The MiG-35 is a further development of the modernized MiG-29M/MiG-29M2 model and features advancements proven through the navalized MiG-29K/Mig-29KUB as well. This includes an increased war load with nine hardpoint offerings, increased fuel stores for extended operating ranges, built-in air-to-air refueling capability for essentially limitless operating ranges, reduced radar cross-section, an corrosion-resistant surfaces. There is the possibility that the aircraft could also be arranged as a "buddy" tanker and refuel other fighter types by carrying exclusively fuel-only ordnance at its plumbed hardpoints.

The MiG-35 has been completed in several flyable prototype forms to test the design as a whole as well as its new systems under regular operating conditions. The aircraft's initial official unveiling was at Aero India 2007 and, at one point, the aircraft was offered to India as the Mikoyan solution to a standing Indian "multi-role aircraft requirement" to number some 125 examples. Today, the improved MiG-35 arrives a a direct contender to the venerable American Lockheed Martin F-16 "Fighting Falcon", whose hold in the global marketplace is well known, and the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 "Super Hornet" as well as the French Dassault "Rafale", the Swedish SAAB JAS 39 "Gripen", and the European consortium Eurofighter "Typhoon" multi-role fighters.

In terms of finding equal footing with its Western counterparts, the MiG-35 does just that in sporting three large liquid-crystal multi-function displays in the cockpit as opposed to the old Soviet tradition of incorporating basic, analog electronic dials and gauges. In the planned two-seat version of the MiG-35, the rear cockpit features no fewer than four multi-function displays to spread the workload between the two crewmen. Perhaps the most important upgrade to the life of the series is the inclusion of the powerful Phazotron Zhuk-AE Active, Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar in the nose offering improved range, early detection, multiple target tracking, and enemy target avoidance. Targets can be designated through the Helmet-Mounted System (HMS) common to other in-service Russian fighter types in both Air-to-Air (AA) and Air-to-Surface (AS) modes. Sources say air-to-air detection can occur as far away as 45 kilometers while air-to-surface detection is within 20 kilometers. Beyond the advanced radar fit and onboard targeting/weapons systems, the MiG-35 is given a higher-rated, higher-output engine pairing capable of 19,840lbf with in-built afterburning capability for short bursts of speed. The engines can also be adapted to fit vectored-thrusting nozzles for extremely enhanced handling and improving close-in dog-fighting capabilities as a result.

As an export product, the MiG-35 is considered "friendly" when it comes to adapting itself to foreign-designed weaponry and avionics suites - this is by design. Base standard, fixed weaponry is a single 30mm GSh-1 series internal cannon to deal with extremely close-in threats while external nine hardpoints mount a variety of proven Russian air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry - from missiles to dumb/precision-guided bombs and aerial rockets to jettisonable fuel tanks. The changes are intended to breathe new life into the MiG-29 fighter line - one that began in the latter stages of the Cold War as a competitor to Western types like the General Dynamics F-16 "Fighting Falcon" (which still sees extensive service today - 2019).

Beyond these changes and additions, the MiG-35 sports larger wing and tail surfaces and the Electronic Warfare (EW) system has been improved as has InfraRed (IR) sensor equipment.

Structural dimensions include a running length of 56.8 feet, a wingspan of 39.3 feet, and a height of 15.5 feet. Empty weight is 24,250lb against an MTOW of 65,500lb.

With its powerful engine pair, performance specifications include a maximum speed of 1,500 mph (Mach 2.2 at altitude), an inherent range out to 1,240 miles (620 mile combat radius), and a service ceiling up to 62,340 feet. Rate-of-climb is listed at 65,000 feet-per-minute making the MiG-35 a good candidate for the interception role.

To date (2019), the MiG-35 has been known ordered by the air forces of Egypt and Russia. The Russian Air Force may take delivery of the product as soon as 2019 to replace its aging stable of MiG-29 aircraft. The service has announced a plan to procure some thirty MiG-35 fighters with a long-term plan to support a complete fleet of 170 aircraft. At least six are currently (2019) on order.


https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=678

 

[Zarvan]

MIG 29 M is basically M 35

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

MIG 29 M is basically M 35

MiG-29M has mechanical radar still. MiG-35 has AESA I think.

 

[Philip the Arab]

Sexy aircraft and at least can carry BVRAAMs.

 

[xbat]

i think egypt has lost 2 of them already, they need to be more carefully about maintenance

 

[The SC]

i think egypt has lost 2 of them already, they need to be more carefully about maintenance

Egypt bought 48 and got 4 for free..So pushing the aircraft to its limits is a good test..since it is fairly a new system..

 

[Genghis khan1]

Why not SU-30s?

 

[GumNaam]

Sexy aircraft and at least can carry BVRAAMs.

Egyptian F16s also carry AMRAAM BVRs, no?

 

[maverick1977]

Egyptian F16s also carry AMRAAM BVRs, no?

no they dont have amraams

 

[PakAlp]

Ever since the Egyptian revolution, the Egyptian government/military has started to balance its relations between Usa and Russia. It seems they didnt like the western/USA support for the Arab spring which caused chaos In the Arab world, the removal of Hosni Mubarak wasnt such a problem but the protests, the jihadi attacks made the Egyptian army to think they need to balance the relations and military defense. Great move by Egypt

 

[The SC]

Egyptian F16s also carry AMRAAM BVRs, no?

Just medium range BVR..about 50 km range..

 

[Philip the Arab]

Egyptian F16s also carry AMRAAM BVRs, no?

Just Sparrow which is a shitty SARH missile.