Mikoyan MiG-29

The Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name: Fulcrum) is a single-seat, twin-turbofan engined air superiority fighter and later a multirole fighter. The maiden flight took place on October 6, 1977, entering service in 1982 with the Soviet Air Force. Manufactured in several variants, the main models are the MiG-29A, initial production version, the multirole MiG-29M, the navalised MiG-29K and MiG-29UB two-seat trainer. It has sold to more than 30 nations.

Airframe comprises mainly of aluminium-lithium alloys and carbon fibre composites with a semi-monocoque fuselage, mid-mounted cropped delta wing and blended leading-edge root extensions (LERXs). The tail unit consists of a swept tailplane with two outward cantered vertical fins and an all-moving tailplane fixed to booms outboard of the engines. Instrumentation was originally analogue, later upgraded to glass cockpits and digital fly-by-wire control systems. The retractable undercarriage is a tricycle type with the primary units attached to the wings roots, folding forwards like the nose wheel.

It uses two Klimov RD-33 after-burning turbofan engines, giving the aircraft a maximum speed of 2,400 km/h (1,490 mph), a range of 1,430 km (880 mi) with internal fuel, and a service ceiling of 18,000 m (59,100 ft).

Armament consists of one internal 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-301 autocannon in the port wing root. Depending on the variant, seven or nine hardpoints can carry up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of payload, three or four under each wing and one under the fuselage. Ordnance includes various air-to-air missiles, unguided rockets, guided and unguided bombs. The inboard wing pylons and fuselage centre line position have plumbing for drop tanks.