MIG-29 Fulcrum

The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29; NATO reporting name: Fulcrum) is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. Developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s, the MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new U. S. fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The MiG-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1982. During the Cold War, the MiG-29 Fulcrum was the spearhead of the Soviet Air Force and was feared in the west for its excellent manoeuvrability both at sub- and supersonic speeds. After Germany’s reunification, a whole squadron of MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft came into possession of the German Air Forces. Western military advisors were astounded by the MiG’s performance after they analyzed its flight characteristics. No western fighter could rival the MiG on a similarly high level. The flight characteristics were only matched by modern aircraft like the Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon or the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, thirty years later. The MiG-29’s flat fuselage contributes approximately 40% of the lift. This makes the MiG unbeatable in dogfights, especially at low speeds. The further development of the MiG-29 Fulcrum OWT with 3D thrust vectoring amazes air show spectators with manoeuvres that seem to defy physics – distractions that intend to disorientate enemy pilots. The flight and manoeuvring capabilities at low speeds and/or at high angles of attack – essential for close combat – are unrivalled by the MiG’s western counterparts. The MiG-29 Fulcrum has two Klimow/Sarkisow RD-33 reheated turbofan engines, which each produce more thrust with afterburner then any single equivalent western engine.