Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum - History, Design, Performance & Dissection (Part 1)

[Godvana]

[Ziggy1989]

Already explained yes, even explained the technical reason why & already posted the links I can share. Soviet History states the reasons why they replaced the N019 radar. Amerincans stole all the Mig29 radar & R27 specs.

So they developed the N019M

The collapse of the Soviet Union & the MoD decided to stop buying Mig29s in favor of the Su27 :)

thats why you will never find unmodified Mig29s with ERs. :)

@Ziggy1989

There is no Mig-29 in War Thunder besides the SMT that is technically capable of using the R-27ER.
GJ knows this & why the R27ER was not provided in the Mig-29’s release in Update: Apex Predators.

R-27ER (AA-10C Alamo C) – a modification of the R-27R missile with the installation of a new rocket engine, which has a larger supply of solid fuel, inside a modified rear part of the fuselage, characterized by a greater length and larger diameter. As a result, this model has a greater long-range range. The guidance system of the R-27ER missile cooperates with the N019M Topaz (‘mod. Slot Back I’) radar of the MiG-29S light front-line fighter and the N001 Mech (‘Slot Back II’) of the Su-27 heavy front-line fighter. This model, along with the R-27ET and R-27EP missiles, officially became operational in 1990.
Source: R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) :: Ruslet

The R-27R is the only variant that can be guided by N019 Rubin & is specifically differentiated by type & variant in the same source.

R-27R (AA-10A Alamo A) – a modification of the R-27 missile with the installation of a semi-active radar homing warhead of the RGS-27 type (9B1101K) inside the ogival tip of the fuselage made of dielectric material. The guidance system of this model cooperates with the on-board radar type N019 Rubin (‘Slot Back I’) of the MiG-29 light front-line fighter and N001 Mech (‘Slot Back II’) of the heavy front-line fighter of the Su-27 type. The R-27R missile, along with the R-27T and R-27P, officially became operational in 1987.
Source: R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) :: Ruslet

This is because the R-27ER does not operate by the same X-band channels that the N019 Rubin of the Mig-29 (9-12A), (9-12B) (9-12G) & even (9-13) use to guide its R-27R.

This is by intentional design on behalf of Phazotron-NIIR & Mikoyan.

Reason

The Soviet Union’s largest developer of military radars and avionics Phazotron-NIIR Chief designer Adolf Tolkachev, became an American spy and over the years between 1979 & 1985, supplied a great deal of information about such projects R-23, R-24, R-33, R-27, and R-60, S-300, as well as about air intercept radars used in the MiG-29, MiG-31, and Su-27 and other avionics directly to the CIA.

The United States Airforce & the entirety of NATO knew everything there is to ever know about the R-27R & the N019 Rubin that guides it. Everything down to the exact High & Medium PRFs used for detection & tracking as well as the specific X-band guidance channels of the R-27R.
The Americans were also given the entire State Recognition system of the USSR that was put into service in 1982.

To undo the damage done, the Soviet Union ordered Phazotron & Mikoyan to perform massive upgrades to existing fighters & weapon systems. Newer weapon systems such as the R27ER would not be NATO corrupted & by compatibility with the N019 Rubin. Thus, the N019M was born.

That is why there is not a single NATO country (yet) has the R-27ER & why you will never find an original Product 9-12 or 9-13 with R-27ER unless upgraded to the N019M Topaz standard either.

Details

MiG-29S (“product 9-13S”, Fulcrum-C)

Mig-29S (Product 9-13S) Reg: RF-92262 Code: 29 red

The appearance of the MiG-29S modification is associated with the betrayal to the West in 1985 of one of the leading specialists of NPO Phazotron. Adolf/Alexander Georgevich Tolkachev passed on detailed information on the radio-electronic equipment of the A-50, MiG-31 and MiG-29 planes to adversaries, repeating to a certain extent the “feat” of the traitor Belenko, who hijacked the MiG-25 to Japan. This event required the adoption of urgent measures to modernize a number of Soviet fighters, including the MiG-29.

Recruited by the Western secret service, for several years he passed overseas secret information on the weapons systems and equipment of the latest Soviet combat aircraft. Tolkachev sold 61 microfilms and 2,000 pages of printed text to the CIA for $ 1.2 million. Thus, the West received detailed information not only on radar equipment, but also on the State Recognition system, which was put into service quite recently - in 1982.

The information provided by Tolkachev saved the U.S. government billions of dollars in defense expenditures, a coup that prompted some intelligence historians to call him “the greatest spy since Penkovsky.” The primary value of the source’s reporting was that it provided detailed data on new Soviet weapon systems that would not be available from technical collection sources for many years, if ever. The complete documentation on these systems, which the agent provided even before the systems were fully operational, was described as “of incalculable value.”

“The SW messages contained useful intelligence on such subjects as a new Soviet airborne radar reconnaissance and guidance system, the results of performance tests of new Soviet aircraft radar systems, and the status of work on the weapons-aiming systems for various Soviet aircraft under development.”

An April 1980 internal CIA memorandum called Tolkachev’s information on jam-proofing tests for Soviet fighter aircraft radar systems “unique”—such data, sought for many years, was not obtainable by national technical means.

The arrest of Tolkachev and his wife took place on June 9, 1985. Once in the KGB detention facility in Lefortovo, Tolkachev confessed to espionage. During the announcement of the verdict, Tolkachev stood and held himself straight. The judge read out the verdict: “to be found guilty of treason in the form of espionage and subject to capital punishment - by shooting.” On Sept. 25, 1986, a TASS (Russia’s official news agency) news article announced that Tolkachev had been tried, convicted and executed the day before. Although initial suspicion for his arrest fell on former CIA employee and defector Edward Lee Howard, who had been slated to handle Tolkachev while stationed in Moscow, subsequent information revealed that Tolkachev was also betrayed by Aldrich Ames. During the investigation into the Tolkachev case, it was possible to establish what information could get to the West. In accordance with this, measures were developed to compensate for the damage caused to the country’s defense.

In particular, the MIG firm was instructed to create modifications of the MiG-31 interceptor and the MiG-29 fighter with improved weapons control systems, while it was assumed that according to their model, previously released combat vehicles will also be modified (in a similar way, in the early 80s, at aircraft repair plants, most of the MiG-25Ps were modernized into the MiG-25PDS version, and several hundred MiG-23ML - into the MiG-23MLD version).

The MiG-29S was an attempt to eliminate the consequences of betrayal. The modernization consisted in the refinement of the radar to the level of the N019M Topaz radar, the improvement of the Gardenia station, fuel tanks.

Modified radars allow missiles to fire at two air targets simultaneously, RVV-AE missiles are integrated into the weapon control system. The range of admissible angles of attack has been expanded to 30 degrees, the payload mass on the pylons has been increased from 2000 kg to 4000 kg. The range of outboard weapons has been expanded with guided air-to-surface weapons - anti-ship and anti-radar guided missiles, air-to-surface guided missiles with television and laser guidance. Most of the above modifications are associated with later versions of the MiG-29S. Thus, guided weapons of the air-to-surface class were introduced into the range of suspended weapons in 1995.

For well-known reasons, the wide modernization of the MiG-29 aircraft to the level of the MiG-29S failed.

In 1992, the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to stop purchasing MiG-29 fighters - in the conditions of the economic crisis, it was deemed inappropriate to build two types of front-line fighters simultaneously. As already noted, in the first half of the 70s. The concept of a promising fleet of fighter aircraft of the country’s Air Force was based on the principle of its construction on the basis of two types of aircraft: 70% - MiG-29 and 30% - Su-27. It was assumed that the cost of these types of fighters would be 1: 1.9.

In practice, it was not possible to make the MiG so cheap: its price was only 40-50% less than the Sukhoi (the cost of the Su-27 on the world market is estimated at 30-35 million, and the MiG-29 - 22-24 million). As for the quantitative ratio of these types of aircraft in the structure of the Russian Air Force, then, according to the data published in the press, it was even slightly exceeded in favor of the MiGs: by the end of 1990, at the time of the conclusion of the CFE Treaty, 648 MiG-29 aircraft (82%) and 138 Su-27 aircraft (18%) were based in the European part of the USSR, not counting the fighters of the Navy and air defense forces. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Air Force transferred about four hundred MiG-29s (80%) and just over one hundred Su-27s (20%).

MiG-29S (9-13S) Reg: RF-92242 Code: 28 red

The following MiG-29S are known: board “404”, board “405” (later became the prototype of the MiG-29SM), board “406” (formerly the first prototype of “product 9-13), board” 407 “(previously prototype” product 9- fourteen). In general, estimates of the number of aircraft upgraded to the level of the MiG-29S range from two dozen machines to two full-fledged regiments of a three-squadron composition, that is, up to 70 - 80 aircraft. It is obvious that the combat regiments of the Russian Air Force are not armed with a single MiG-29S, modernized to the full “depth”.

MiG-29S (9-13S) Reg: 407 blue. Manufacturer Serial Number: 2960507682

Thus, 16 MiG-29S fighters produced at MAPO in 1991 became the last aircraft of this type to enter service with the Russian aviation. In this regard, 30 MiG-29S fighters that were not bought by the Russian Air Force were converted into an export version of the MiG-29SE.

Sources
MiG-29S FULCRUM (globalsecurity.org)
Tolkachev-Successor-Penkovsky.pdf (cia.gov)

Product Radar types

[Ziggy1989]

Awwww you actually misunderstood! Poor you.

It’s a computer simulator card … all it does it allow you to simulate an ability to launch an R-27ER.

You are trying so hard to make your NATO aircraft into something it will never be, huh?

They have sim cards the Russians also sell for the R77. Would you like one too?

[Panther2995]

I saw those explanations but i couldnt find single statement that claims N019 cannot guide R27ER, all those documents claims new radar does have backward compatibility and can also guide Fox-3 missiles.

27ER was just a MLU upgrade for already existing 27R model so its quite possible that Russians didnt care about information leak since they were already developing Better radar and Fox-3 missiles, in fact they might did this on purpose in order to make Usa believe that they were going to depend on N019 with R27ER against them.

[Ziggy1989]

I explained it here as well. I have closed sources but its restricted.

The R-27ER is not for sale to NATO allies & the radar that guides it too the N019M is not for sale to NATO allies either.

@Ziggy1989

The ER recognizes a different combination of X-band frequencies for each of its main channels that are multiplexed in time. The Mig-29 radar that the R-27ER cooperates with is the N019M Topaz. or greater.

[Ziggy1989]

@Panther2995

so its quite possible that Russians didnt care about information leak

just a little information leak you say that the Russians did not care about?

@Ziggy1989

The Soviet Union’s largest developer of military radars and avionics Phazotron-NIIR Chief designer Adolf Tolkachev, became an American spy and over the years between 1979 & 1985, supplied a great deal of information about such projects R-23, R-24, R-33, R-27, and R-60, S-300, as well as about air intercept radars used in the MiG-29, MiG-31, and Su-27 and other avionics directly to the CIA.

@Ziggy1989

the West received detailed information not only on radar equipment, but also on the State Recognition system, which was put into service quite recently - in 1982.

[ZVO_12_INCH]

At night, I will send the scheme of the Ukrainian radar update…Azerbaijan also has a MiG-29MU1.

[Panther2995]

@Ziggy1989

I explained it here as well. I have closed sources but its restricted.

Without those documents your claims are not viable im afraid.

@Ziggy1989

The R-27ER is not for sale to NATO allies & the radar that guides it too the N019M is not for sale to NATO allies either.

N019M is not for sale to NATO allies because of Fox-3 capabilites not because of R-27ER.

@Ziggy1989

just a little information leak you say that the Russians did not care about?

Or they did it on purpose as i said.

@Panther2995

Russians didnt care about information leak since they were already developing Better radar and Fox-3 missiles, in fact they might did this on purpose in order to make Usa believe that they were going to depend on N019 with R27ER against them.

See?

[Ziggy1989]

@Panther2995

N019M is not for sale to NATO allies because of Fox-3 capabilites not because of R-27ER.

Neither is the R-27ER. Ukraine has them & still cannot slap them on ANY Mig-29 :)

What makes you think NATO can on their ancient Mig29s with their Ancient Warsaw Pact N019 Rubins?

@Panther2995

Or they did it on purpose as i said.

So you are arguing the Russians simply did not care that the US had EVERYTHING on the N019 Rubin & the R-27. Therefore, NATO can use ERs on their ancient Mig-29s even though you will never see one equipped on a Mig-29 unless upgraded with the N019M Topaz or greater… Interesting. I respect your optimism & your low opinion of the Russians.

To imply they would be that stupid to not safeguard the ER even though they use them now & sell them to allies & enemies of the United States…

[Panther2995]

@Ziggy1989

Viable to who? A video gamer on a game forum? You have no idea what I am talking about there. But let off.

Panther2995:

Apperently you also dont know what you’re talking about considering you dont even have solid proof that shows N019 cant guide R-27ER but hey lets pretend those restricted documents actually proves your point for a second. Without those documents your claims means nothing.

@Ziggy1989

Neither is the R-27ER. Ukraine has them & still cannot slap them on ANY Mig-29 :)

Where is your proof that shows Ukraine Mig-29’s cant use those R-27ER’s? Aside from some random pictures of course :)

@Ziggy1989

So you are arguing the Russians simply did not care that the US had EVERYTHING on the N019 Rubin & the R-27. Therefore, NATO can use ERs on their ancient Mig-29s even though you will never see one equipped on a Mig-29 unless upgraded with the N019M Topaz or greater… Interesting. I respect your optimism & your low opinion of the Russians.

To imply they would be that stupid to not safeguard the ER even though they use them now & sell them to allies & enemies of the United States…

I mentioned about possible decisions or tactics because of leaks, what you keep forgetting is that you also werent there when Soviets found out their technology was leaked and what kind of deicision did they took for that.

Purposely spreading false informations are quite famous between rival countries, this situation wouldnt be the first or last.

Anyway without those restricted documents your claims means nothing to me.

[Ziggy1989]

@ZVO_12_INCH

At night, I will send the scheme of the Ukrainian radar update…Azerbaijan also has a MiG-29MU1.

Can you first acknowledge you were wrong about the saying R-27ERs were only sent to the Soviet Air Defense Forces When we have pictures of Mig-29s armed with them?

@ZVO_12_INCH

s BBCRF already wrote R-27ER first of all, they entered the air defense forces

The PVO inventory of 1991
(500) Sukhoi Su-15
(890) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
(480) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
(230) Sukhoi Su-27
(270) Mikoyan MiG-31

[ZVO_12_INCH]

No! Read paragraph 7 again…

МиГ-29 и Су-27: история службы и конкуренции. Часть 1

14-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный полк

[Panther2995]

@Ziggy1989 Btw i forgot to say.

Please make a actual report for this situation and prove that its not possible to guide R-27ER with N019 radar, i’ll be more then happy to loose 27ER’s on my regular Mig-29’s in exchange for R-73’s.

If you can of course.

[Godvana]

Idk why you are getting so hung up on this dude. We have the Mirage 4000 and Yak-141 that never even had radars fitted yet this is the hill you choose to die on?

[Ziggy1989]

@Panther2995

I mentioned about possible decisions or tactics because of leaks, what you keep forgetting is that you also werent there when Soviets found out their technology was leaked and what kind of deicision did they took for that.

Purposely spreading false informations are quite famous between rival countries, this situation wouldnt be the first or last.
.

You are not making sense bruh bruh.
The leaks were 1979-1985. The Traitor went to Trial & was executed in 1986. The ER & the Topaz were already in testing. Both entered service 1990 & 1991.

The N001 Mech radar does not emit the same guidance frequencies & was not given to the Americans.

@Panther2995

Anyway without those restricted documents your claims means nothing to me.

I am sorry to break your heart. :(

The truth is unfortunately, neither does a NATO Mig29 mean anything to the game… Has no bearing on WT air RB or Ground & will have no relevance next update with R-27ERs.

You actually better hope they do remove it from NATO Mig-29s.

[Ziggy1989]

@Godvana

Idk why you are getting so hung up on this dude. We have the Mirage 4000 and Yak-141 that never even had radars fitted yet this is the hill you choose to die on?

My apologies. You are 100% correct on that.

But I am a Mig-29 fan. Removing the ER from inappropriate models will only help them. They are going to get murdered by Aim-120s & R77s anyway. They can never drop BR with the ER.

Just a thought.

[Panther2995]

Then what is holding you back from preparing a report on this issue?

As i said on my previous reply make an actual report for this inaccuracy so we can access R-73’s on our regular Mig-29’s in exchange for loosing R-27ER’s.

[Ziggy1989]

Bro, its not a question of technical or historical accuracy though. GJ already knows this. That is why the ER was not given to Mig29 at release.

It’s a matter of game efficiency came into question, they pulled the missile that is for the 9-13S, 9-19 & Su-27 & gave it to all Mig-29s ever. They alone will have to be the ones to make a decision.

I was already told this & all we can do is discuss & generate ideas. Such as the fact that no Mig-29 will ever be able to drop BRs with the R-27ER. The German 9-12A has R-60Ms and still can’t drop BRs when Aim9Ms & R73s are found at lower BRs!

[Panther2995]

Then we’re arguing for nothing because of Gaijin’s decisions.

Tbh i would like to access R-73’s on 9.12 because it was designed to be frontline fighter that can engage with enemy jets in close dogfight with combination of HMD+R73 but instead we got BVR slinger.

[Ziggy1989]

No. GJ responds to community feedback.

Generating productive discussions and diversity of thought is good. People get so offended when a thought enters the forum that is not following the status quo.

Also another point the Mig-29 9-12A & 9-13 do not even have enough countermeasures either.

If you play the 9-12G you know this ALL too well. Hell I only take flares these days in the G and stay really low.