DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum | Introduction

Video Description

NOTE 1: Near the beginning of the video is a takeoff roll with excessive vibration. This is a known issue with the nose dampener, and it will be addressed prior to launch. NOTE 2: Cockpit labels and avionics will have options for both English and Cyrillic (Russian). We are happy to release our first instruction video for our MiG-29A Fulcrum, or project 9-12A. This introduction video is based on a pre-release version, so some elements may change at or after release. The MiG-29A is a single-seat, dual engine, Soviet fighter that was designed in the 1970s as a light-fighter in parallel with development of the larger Su-27 Flanker. The Fulcrum entered service in 1983 with its primary role being point air defense for Soviet and several Warsaw Pact member countries. It’s a relatively small, twin-tail, blended-wing fighter with leading edge extensions, that is powered by two widely spaced, RD-33 engines, each capable of 18,300 pounds of force in afterburner. Air is fed into the engines from variable intake ramps below the fuselage. For unprepared field operations, the MiG-29 has the unique feature of being able to close the main intake ramps, and instead open intakes above the leading-edge extensions to avoid the intake of foreign objects. For enhanced maneuverability, the Fulcrum includes automatic leading-edge slats and an all-moving tail plane. Although it does not use a fly-by-wire flight control system, it does come equipped with hydraulic controls and a three-axis autopilot system. Between its impressive thrust-to-weight ratio and excellent high-alpha capability, the 9G-capable Fulcrum can be a very challenging opponent in a dogfight. Although the MiG-29A has G and angle of attack limiters, these can be overridden. Its impressive dogfight capabilities are further enhanced by the ability of Fulcrum pilots to cue AA-11 “Archer”, R-73, infrared-guided missiles with a Helmet Mounted Sight for deadly high off boresight attacks. Designed as a point defense fighter, the MiG-29A does not come equipped with aerial refueling capability and has a maximum ferry range of 930 miles clean, and 1,300 miles with an external fuel tank. In the nose of the aircraft is a NO19 Sapfir 29 look-down/shoot-down radar and digital computer. Mounted forward of the windscreen is the S-31E2 Infrared Search and Track sensor that can detect and track aerial targets solely based on their infrared signature. The MiG-29A was primarily designed as an air-to-air fighter armed with short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles and a GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon with 150 rounds. Although the AA-10 Alamo A (R-27R) and AA-10 Alamo B (R-27T) are the typical medium-range air-missiles arming the MiG-29A, it can also be technically armed with the extended range AA-10 Alamo C (R-27ER) and AA-10 Alamo D (R-27ET) versions. These medium-range missile options are in addition to the shorter-range, infrared-guided AA-11 Archer (R-73) and AA-6 Aphid (R-60 and R-60M) dogfight missiles. In addition to these air-to-air armaments, the MiG-29A also has limited air-to-ground attack options including unguided bombs, rockets, and strafe.