RSK MiG expects to complete flight testing the bulk of its MiG-29SMT upgrades by the end of this year. The company plans to demonstrate the aircraft in May at the Berlin air show in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, MiG's partner in the MiG Aircraft Product Support (MAPS) venture.
The Phazotron Zhuk-M multimode radar at the heart of the SMT upgrade has demonstrated "good performance" at 120-130km (65-70nm) range, says MiG deputy chief designer, Lev Bolshakov.
The SMT upgrade can be retrofitted to earlier MiG-29 Fulcrums and includes additional conformal fuel volume to increase range and compatibility with a larger number of guided air-to-surface weapons.
The radar incorporates a new signal processor and builds on the "Kopie" version of the Zhuk in service on Indian air force MiG-29SEs. "In many ways, this was a prototype of the Zhuk-M radar," Bolshakov adds.
Although the Zhuk-M is mechanically scanned, with look angles of 70° in azimuth and +50/-40° in elevation, MiG hopes to begin flight tests of an electronically scanned version with a synthetic aperture radar capability, dubbed the Zhuk-MM, next year. "A prototype is running in the laboratory now," says Bolshakov, who cautions that flight tests of the "MM" will only begin "once we have begun to sell the M".
The SMT has a 1553B-equivalent digital databus which allows integration of Western weapons and sensors as well as supporting two 150 x 200mm (6 x 8in) multifunction colour flat panel displays, smaller standby displays, a moving map and improved head-up display.
The databus also provides the basis for an on-board health monitoring system designed to reduce maintenance issues and provide warning of impending system failures. "Tests of the new KARAT health and usage monitoring system are on-going and this is a key part of our work with MAPS," says Bolshakov.
Initial tests have also been completed of jam-resistant, frequency hopping radios and a low-observable antenna which has " 10 times better stealth characteristics".
Bolshakov claims that the Vympel RVV-AE (R-77/AA-12 Adder) medium-range air-to-air missile has been fired for the first time by the Indian air force from a MiG-29SE. "They launched a missile and it was successful," he says.
<li> The Ulan-Ude Aircraft Production Organisation is to build two night attack/all weather Sukhoi Su-25TM Frogfoots this year. The programme is also referred to as the Su-39. Six Su-25s in squadron service will also be upgraded to Su-25TM standard by the Russian air force.
Source: Flight International
