Fulcrum: the MiG-29 at War
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:36 am
The Soviet Air Force's bogey-man to many: the MiG-29 Fulcrum:
The MiG-29 Fulcrum in World War III
The MiG-29 Fulcrum was the most advanced of the MiG family of fighters to see service in the Third World War. First introduced into Soviet service in 1983, it first saw combat in 1985, during the invasion of Alaska and the attack across the Rio Grande. The aircraft also saw service defending the Soviet base in Iceland after the Soviet seizure of the island, as well as in both Soviet and Warsaw Pact service in 1989. The aircraft has also seen combat in the Second Russian Civil War, the various conflicts that have arisen since the breakup of the USSR, and in the last stand of the Rump Soviet Union. The aircraft is still in service in several former Soviet Republics to this day.
Variants:
MiG-29A (NATO “Fulcrum-A)): Designated version 9.12A in Soviet service. Standard SAF tactical fighter version-intended to replace the MiG-23 in SAF Frontal Aviation service. NO19 Saphir-29 radar with look-down/shoot-down capabilities, but shared many of the same limitations as the MiG-23 radar. Two Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, IRST, one Gsh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds, two R-27R (AA-10 Alamo) radar-guided AAMs, four R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) or R-73 (AA-11 Archer) AAMs. Ground attack capabilities with bombs or rocket pods, and SAF versions could carry the RN-40 30 Kt tactical nuclear bomb.
MiG-29A (NATO “Fulcrum-A”) 9.12B: Export version of 9.12A for WARPAC countries and other export customers. Downgraded radar, avionics, and IFF. No nuclear weapon capability.
MiG-29UB (NATO “Fulcrum-B”) 9.51:Two-seat training version. IRST only, no radar.
MiG-29S (NATO “Fulcrum-C”) 9.13: Similar to 9.12, but with enlarged fuselage spine with additional fuel and an active jammer. Increased weapons load, two pylons plumbed for fuel tanks. NO19E radar, R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active AAM capability. None deployed to North America, but some SAF examples saw combat in 1989, and in the Civil War.
MiG-29K (NATO “Fulcrum-D”) 9.31: Multirole naval variant for SNAF, intended for the Admiral Kuznetsov-class carriers. One regiment formed 1990, saw combat on Russian Republic side during Civil War.
MiG-29KUB (NATO “Fulcrum-D”) 9.57: Two-seat trainer for K; fully combat capable.
MiG-29SM (NATO “Fulcrum-E”) 9.15: Multirole variant with improved engines, full fly-by-wire controls, enhanced RD-33 engines. Prototype only.
Users:
Soviet Air Force: Introduced into service in 1983, five regiments formed by 1985. One Regiment in Alaska, two in Southern Theater, one in GSFG, and one in the Moscow MD. Additional regiments converted from MiG-23 and sent to North America, but the MiG-23 was still numerous up until the end of the war in 1989.
Soviet Naval Aviation (AV-MF): One regiment formed 1989 for service on Admiral Kuznetsov. Combat in the Second Russian Civil War. One regiment of MiG-29S shore-based in Black Sea Fleet, survivors sold to U.S. Military by Moldova after the Civil War ended.
Bulgaria: One regiment formed 1988. Not deployed to North America.
Cuba: One regiment formed 1987 for air defense of the Havana area. Survivors active up until anti-Castro uprising in 2009. Several ex-SAF aircraft turned over to Cubans following Armistice. All destroyed or captured following intervention by U.S. Forces on side of Rebels.
Czechoslovakia: One regiment formed 1986. Not deployed to North America, and saw action in 1989. No longer in service.
East Germany: One regiment (JG-3) formed in 1986. Combat in European Campaign 1989. Survivors taken over by Luftwaffe.
North Korea: One regiment formed 1989. Combat in 2010 “War of Korean Reunification.” ROKAF disposed of survivors on bombing ranges.
Poland: One regiment formed 1988. Combat in 1989 in Europe. No longer in service.
Postwar users:
Russian Republic: Saw service in Civil War and in fall of Rump USSR. Western IFF reportedly added to preclude friendly-fire incidents at some point prior to 2010.
Far East Republic: Combat in Civil War in in fall of rump USSR. 80 believed to be in service. Rumored to be upgraded by Samsung Aerospace of Korea.
Kazakhstan: 40 aircraft in service. Combat in Civil War and fall of USSR.
Turkmenistan: 20 in service.
Ukraine: Three combat regiments and one training regiment in service. Upgrade program by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace underway.
Mexico: A number of ex-SAF aircraft remained in Mexico after the war, and were incorporated into the Revolutionary Air Force of Mexico (FARM). Mainly used for air defense duties. Most believed destroyed in air or on the ground during Baja War.
Captured Examples:
Several MiG-29s were captured by American or British forces during the war, or were provided by defectors. At least two As and one C were evaluated at Edwards AFB, and one has been seen at the Empire Test Pilots' School in the UK. A USAF Aggressor unit is believed to still operate MiG-29s out of the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, as sightings of MiGs by commercial and private pilots, as well as ground witnesses, are common, despite a USAF “No comment” on the subject. Several MiG-29s are in various museums in the U.S., Canada, and Britain.
The MiG-29 Fulcrum in World War III
The MiG-29 Fulcrum was the most advanced of the MiG family of fighters to see service in the Third World War. First introduced into Soviet service in 1983, it first saw combat in 1985, during the invasion of Alaska and the attack across the Rio Grande. The aircraft also saw service defending the Soviet base in Iceland after the Soviet seizure of the island, as well as in both Soviet and Warsaw Pact service in 1989. The aircraft has also seen combat in the Second Russian Civil War, the various conflicts that have arisen since the breakup of the USSR, and in the last stand of the Rump Soviet Union. The aircraft is still in service in several former Soviet Republics to this day.
Variants:
MiG-29A (NATO “Fulcrum-A)): Designated version 9.12A in Soviet service. Standard SAF tactical fighter version-intended to replace the MiG-23 in SAF Frontal Aviation service. NO19 Saphir-29 radar with look-down/shoot-down capabilities, but shared many of the same limitations as the MiG-23 radar. Two Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, IRST, one Gsh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds, two R-27R (AA-10 Alamo) radar-guided AAMs, four R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) or R-73 (AA-11 Archer) AAMs. Ground attack capabilities with bombs or rocket pods, and SAF versions could carry the RN-40 30 Kt tactical nuclear bomb.
MiG-29A (NATO “Fulcrum-A”) 9.12B: Export version of 9.12A for WARPAC countries and other export customers. Downgraded radar, avionics, and IFF. No nuclear weapon capability.
MiG-29UB (NATO “Fulcrum-B”) 9.51:Two-seat training version. IRST only, no radar.
MiG-29S (NATO “Fulcrum-C”) 9.13: Similar to 9.12, but with enlarged fuselage spine with additional fuel and an active jammer. Increased weapons load, two pylons plumbed for fuel tanks. NO19E radar, R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active AAM capability. None deployed to North America, but some SAF examples saw combat in 1989, and in the Civil War.
MiG-29K (NATO “Fulcrum-D”) 9.31: Multirole naval variant for SNAF, intended for the Admiral Kuznetsov-class carriers. One regiment formed 1990, saw combat on Russian Republic side during Civil War.
MiG-29KUB (NATO “Fulcrum-D”) 9.57: Two-seat trainer for K; fully combat capable.
MiG-29SM (NATO “Fulcrum-E”) 9.15: Multirole variant with improved engines, full fly-by-wire controls, enhanced RD-33 engines. Prototype only.
Users:
Soviet Air Force: Introduced into service in 1983, five regiments formed by 1985. One Regiment in Alaska, two in Southern Theater, one in GSFG, and one in the Moscow MD. Additional regiments converted from MiG-23 and sent to North America, but the MiG-23 was still numerous up until the end of the war in 1989.
Soviet Naval Aviation (AV-MF): One regiment formed 1989 for service on Admiral Kuznetsov. Combat in the Second Russian Civil War. One regiment of MiG-29S shore-based in Black Sea Fleet, survivors sold to U.S. Military by Moldova after the Civil War ended.
Bulgaria: One regiment formed 1988. Not deployed to North America.
Cuba: One regiment formed 1987 for air defense of the Havana area. Survivors active up until anti-Castro uprising in 2009. Several ex-SAF aircraft turned over to Cubans following Armistice. All destroyed or captured following intervention by U.S. Forces on side of Rebels.
Czechoslovakia: One regiment formed 1986. Not deployed to North America, and saw action in 1989. No longer in service.
East Germany: One regiment (JG-3) formed in 1986. Combat in European Campaign 1989. Survivors taken over by Luftwaffe.
North Korea: One regiment formed 1989. Combat in 2010 “War of Korean Reunification.” ROKAF disposed of survivors on bombing ranges.
Poland: One regiment formed 1988. Combat in 1989 in Europe. No longer in service.
Postwar users:
Russian Republic: Saw service in Civil War and in fall of Rump USSR. Western IFF reportedly added to preclude friendly-fire incidents at some point prior to 2010.
Far East Republic: Combat in Civil War in in fall of rump USSR. 80 believed to be in service. Rumored to be upgraded by Samsung Aerospace of Korea.
Kazakhstan: 40 aircraft in service. Combat in Civil War and fall of USSR.
Turkmenistan: 20 in service.
Ukraine: Three combat regiments and one training regiment in service. Upgrade program by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace underway.
Mexico: A number of ex-SAF aircraft remained in Mexico after the war, and were incorporated into the Revolutionary Air Force of Mexico (FARM). Mainly used for air defense duties. Most believed destroyed in air or on the ground during Baja War.
Captured Examples:
Several MiG-29s were captured by American or British forces during the war, or were provided by defectors. At least two As and one C were evaluated at Edwards AFB, and one has been seen at the Empire Test Pilots' School in the UK. A USAF Aggressor unit is believed to still operate MiG-29s out of the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, as sightings of MiGs by commercial and private pilots, as well as ground witnesses, are common, despite a USAF “No comment” on the subject. Several MiG-29s are in various museums in the U.S., Canada, and Britain.