Indian Navy MiG 29-K

   The Mighty Mikoyan MiG 29-K taking the                     war to the enemies 

    The Indian navy serves with the motto “May the lord of oceans be auspicious  onto us“ have grown from a regional navy to a brow water navy. The Indian navy currently operates one of the biggest and a very robust and an under modernizing force. Indian navy currently operates more than hundred vessels which have been guarding the nation against any sea borne threats from decades. The flag ship of the force is ‘INS Viraat’, a centaur class aircraft carrier.

   Indian navy has the distinctive mark of being the only navy other than the US Navy to operate an operational two carrier group. Indian navy has to a vast experience in operating these floating airstrips which can take battle’s right to the door steps of the enemies. These massive vessels can launch aircraft from the middle of the ocean assisted by modern technologies thus giving a major boost to the operational range and also making long range attacks possible. The aircraft carriers play a major role in power projection. Indian navy currently operates two active CBG’s (Carrier Battle Group), INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya

   With India choosing to acquire INS Vikramaditya with an STOBAR design, Russia put forward the MiG-29K and Sukhoi 33 as the primary aviation wing. India choose the MiG-29K considering the larger wingspan of SU-33. Developed by the Mikoyan, MiG-29K is a 4++ generation, all weather carrier based multi-role aircraft. A carrier based aircraft demanding a more reinforced under carrier and tail section, Mikoyan came up with the MiG29K which was developed specially for naval operations. The MiG 29K was equipped with a more powerful and efficient engine, the cockpit and the armament received significant changes.

   MiG29K took to skies on 23 July 1988, piloted by Aubakirov and by landing on Admiral Kuznetsov it achieved its first carrier landing on 1 November 1989. An aircraft capable of handling AEW was also developed based on the MiG29K and was called the MiG-29KUB. This jet features two air crew and was equipped with powerful radar and secured data-links. Flying in formation and connecting over the secured links these turbofan jet engines developed by the Klimov for powering light weight fighter jets. The engine can develop a maximum thrust of around 50N when run in dry mode and can produce a maximum output of around 80N when the afterburners are engaged.

   The engines are very efficient and can produce 7% more thrust than the engines powering the MiG29’s, the engine is controlled by an FADEC or Full Authority Digital Engine control. The FADEC is an electronic computer that basically consists of Electronic Engine controller (EEC), and will monitor the engine performance throughout the flight. If the engines performance is found to be non-satisfactory the system will immediately restore the engine controls to a preset mode.

Source - MoD

   A four channel fly-by-wire system controls the aircraft, one of the most advanced avionics package went aboard the aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with a passive anti-missile homing system, it is also provided with the Sigma-95 GPS receivers which efficiently guide the pilot to his designated targets. The targeting system of the aircraft received a major boost with the helmet-mounted targeting system being introduced. To counter interference with the systems by the enemies, the aircraft is equipped with state-of-the art ECM systems.

   The primary radar of the aircraft is the NIIR Phazotron developed, Zhuk-AE radars. These radars feature an active electronically scanned array. The radar features a 700mm antenna and 1016 T/R (Transmit/Receive) modules. The radar has an approximate detection range of 200 km, and can track about 60 targets at a time and can engage six targets simultaneously. The jet can also be equipped with infra-red search and track (IRST) system. This system helps in detecting and tracking objects by following the infrared radiation emitted from the objects.

   MiG 29K is equipped with an array of weapon systems, being a multi-role aircraft the jet can carry a mix of air-air missiles and air-ground missiles. The very basic weapon system of the MiG 29K is the GSh-30-1 30mm cannon, mounted in the port wing root. Weighing just about 40 kg the gun can be easily mounted on the the uniqueness of the weapon system is its short recoil action. Firing up to 1800 rounds per minute the gun annihilate any hostile targets. The maximum effective range of the gun is around 800 m against aerial targets and varies between 1200-1800 m against ground targets.

   Equipped with laser range finding and targeting system, the rounds can be fired with pinpoint accuracy. The aircraft can carry laser-guided and electro-optical bombs for conducting air-ground attack missions. The jet can also be equipped with Kh-31P passive radar seeker missiles which can be used as anti-radiation missiles. The aircraft can also carry Kh-35 and Kh-31A anti-shipping missiles, causing havoc over enemy ships. It is crucial the jet also can engage aerial targets, the jet is equipped with air to air missiles. Various foreign developed missiles can also be integrated with the aircraft.

   India has signed a $1.2 billion deal, with the Mikoyan for acquiring 40 MiG 29K, INS Vikramaditya will carry up to 24 fighters. INS Vikrant is expected to carry up to 30 fighters which will be a mix of the MiG 29K and the LCA naval version.With the Indian navy opting for the more powerful and efficient CATOBAR configuration the aviation wing of the navy is set for a major revamp. The first of the navy's CATOBAR carrier will be INS Vishal/IAC-II which is currently in the design phase and will be constructed by CSL, Cochin. The carrier will have complement of around 45 aircraft, the carrier for the first time will allow the operation of AWACS aircraft from its deck. The Rafale M,F-18 Super hornet and the fifth generation stealth enabled F-35 C will be the leading contenders for securing the tender to supply the carriers aviation wing

Article - Karthik Kakoor