For my Indian friends: Taking Off In A MiG-29K From A Carrier At Night Is A Fiery Thrill

[Abingdonboy]

What is the benefits of catapult vs Ski jump?

The ability to launch heavier (and larger) aircraft so with more fuel and more mentions.

 

[Koovie]

I love this aircraft. Mig-29 K is only digital fly by wire fighter jet in Indian military service till now.

Nope, the Sukhois are controlled by FBW

 

[45'22']

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The Indian Navy's young and potent MiG-29K fleet gives their long-awaited aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, a serious punch. India remains committed to simpler ski-jump instead of catapult configured carriers, and what is not great for a fighter's range and payload is fantastic for visuals, as you can see in the video below.


In many ways, the MiG-29K is the ultimate comeback kid. The earliest version of this MiG-29 Fulcrum derivative first flew in 1988. After the fall of the Soviet Union there were no funds available to field two carrier fighters for what was then Russia's rusting navy.

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Mikoyan and Gurevich continued to tinker with their carrier capable MiG-29 over the years and by the mid 2000s, when India came shopping for a fixed wing aircraft carrier, the Mig-29K suddenly leaped back into life. During India's initial evaluations, the MiG beat out the current operational Russian naval fighter, the gargantuan Sukhoi SU-33.

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After negotiating the refitting and purchase of the derelict Russian carrier Admiral Gorshkov, India also purchased 16 highly evolved MiG-29Ks to fly off of it. As the program matured, India doubled down on the MiG-29K with another order of 25 examples. Russia, as part of its revitalization of its expeditionary forces, is also now ordering the MiG-29K to be deployed on its own carrier, the Admirial Kuznetsov, replacing the big but dated SU-33 entirely.

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24 examples will be delivered to the Russian Navy by the end of 2015, although this number could substantially grow over time if Russia actually realizes its plans for expanded its naval power projection capabilities by adding additional aircraft carriers. At this time, such a proposition is still a paper one, but the MiG-29k is seen as the aircraft that Russia would build a multi-carrier force around.

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It is very exciting to see the MiG-29 line continue to evolve and thrive in what is a very fickle and crowded international marketplace for fighter aircraft. The MiG-29K is a very different machine than its legacy brethren, even from the first prototype aircraft that took the designation some 26 years ago.

The MiG-29K features a totally redesigned wing and leading edge root extension, beefier landing gear, a modern glass cockpit and the proven and upgradable Zhuk-ME radar. It also carries much more gas than the "legacy" MiG-29 (40% more internal fuel), includes a full fly-by-wire flight control system, has true multi-role capability and includes a high-degree of sensor fusion, at least for a Russian design. All of this comes in a package with the ruggedness that is a hallmark of MiG designs. As a comparison, the MiG-29K is very roughly analogous to something between an F/A-18C/D Hornet and a early block F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

In the end, the MiG-29K seems like a rational mix of capability, size and cost (unit cost around $32M). It also offers the multi-role capability, relatively advanced weaponry and ability to act as a buddy tanker that have been lacking in past Russian naval fighter designs. Still, I would love to know what type of actual payload and range envelopes these machines can achieve when working off of ski-jump equipped aircraft carriers.

Regardless of the MiG-29K's actual combat radius or its ability to lift heavy loads off the boat, once it is airborne it represents a formidable and modern threat.

Taking Off In A MiG-29K From A Carrier At Night Is A Fiery Thrill

Nice videos.....thanks for posting

 

[Juggernautjatt]

MKI has digital FBW as well as the LCA, IIRC the DARIN III upgrade also brings some element of FBW for the Jags.

Thanx for correcting bro..
Infact SU-30 MKI has the SDU-10MK digital fly-by-wire control system. You have any other info about it , is it triplex or quadruplex ?

Nope, the Sukhois are controlled by FBW

I know I was just confused between digital & analogue FBW . But after some research I found that
MKI has the SDU-10MK digital fly-by-wire control system.

 

[RISING SUN]

I love this aircraft. Mig-29 K is only digital fly by wire fighter jet in Indian military service till now.

I don't think so.

 

[thesolar65]

Simply Great!!

 

[Abingdonboy]

Thanx for correcting bro..
Infact SU-30 MKI has the SDU-10MK digital fly-by-wire control system. You have any other info about it , is it triplex or quadruplex ?

Quadruplex like the LCA.

 

[RISING SUN]

Why didn't we customize mig-29 like we did with mki??

Mig 29K is optimized for every available waponary in naval force arsenal but it is not primarily based on open system architecture thus may have restrictions. I may be wrong but that's what I believe. LCA has open system architecture so theoretically it can be programmed to carry every aircraft weapons in naval force. Thank you.

 

[RISING SUN]

Mig 29K is a good option for us because of the digital fly by wire. we can probably attach meteors on it later, python, derby, our astra as long as they are compatible with the radar.

In my opinion only LCA has this capability in our jets. I am not aware that due to digital fly by wire we can attach any missile on it.

 

[RISING SUN]

What is the benefits of catapult vs Ski jump?

Catapult can put bird in the air with maximum weight while in ski jump bird has to fly on its own so less power thus less payload.

 

[gowda]

What is the benefits of catapult vs Ski jump?

ski jump cannot take heavier load but catapult can so it is one of the benefits

 

[Koovie]

In my opinion only LCA has this capability in our jets. I am not aware that due to digital fly by wire we can attach any missile on it.

LCA has yet to fire a BVR missile ... just saying.

 

[Manindra]

They are analogue fly by wire aircraft not digital fly by wire aircraft.

Sir, What is analogue FBW ??? Analogue Aircrafts controlled by hydralic operated controls .
As per my knowledge there is nothing called analogue FBW.

 

[Juggernautjatt]

Sir, What is analogue FBW ??? Analogue Aircrafts controlled by hydralic operated controls .
As per my knowledge there is nothing called analogue FBW.

Analogue FBW is an older generation system & is little different from digital one. In FBW system mechanical circuits of the hydromechanical or electromechanical flight control systems are replaced with electronic circuits. Control elements in the cockpit of aircrafts are fitted with signal transducers, which generate the appropriate electronic commands. These are next processed by an electronic controller, either an analog one, or more modernly, a digital one. Digital systems can be easily reconfigured by changes in software, whereas an analog system, hardwired, would require rebuilding.
Although I was wrong on SU-30 MKI & tejas , they both have digital FBW not analog.

 

[SrNair]

The numbers of Mig 29k will again increase due to the future induction of INS Vikrant if LCA cant mature then in INS Vishal also.