Mikojan-Gurevič MiG-29M (9-15) [kód NATO: Fulcrum-E]

-

MiG-29M (Issue 9-15)


A very heavily modified variant, based on the 9-13 version. New RD-33K engines with 86.29 kN thrust each were used. A related change was a larger fuel quantity. An important element of the modernization was a new combat system, the ability to carry new weapons. Structural modifications were also made (air inlets on the upper side of the fuselage-wing vortex transitions were removed), and electro-pulse fly-by-wire control was used. A new N010 Zuk radar (slotted array) was used. In addition, the optical targeting/navigation system was improved to the OEPrNK-29M version. It included an OLS-M optical system with TV, IR and laser channels and a helmet-mounted targeting system. The maximum combat payload was 4500 kg and a total of 9 hangers. The new weapons included R-77, R-27ER, R-27ET missiles, as well as precision anti-surface weapons Ch-25ML, Ch-29T, Ch-29L, Ch-31A (anti-ship), anti-radar Ch-25MP and Ch-31P, and bombs KAB-500Kr.


The first prototype was the No.151 (9-15/1). The first flight was on 26 April 1986. A total of 6 test machines (numbers 151-156) were built between 1986 and 1991. They passed the test program and the first phase of official state tests, and the Air Force recommended serial production. However, in 1992, the purchase of MiG-29s for the Air Force was stopped, which became fatal for the MiG-29M. Between 1992 and 1993, testing virtually ceased, and serial production did not get underway. After years of inactivity, the 154 and 156 were activated in the early 21st century. The former became the prototype MiG-29M2, and the latter became the MiG-29OVT.


The MiG-29ME or MiG-33 was the intended export version of the MiG-29M, and was offered for export in the 1990s. Other variants followed, the MiG-29M1, MiG-29M2, MiG-29M3, with increased fuel supply, in-flight refuelling system, duck surfaces and new wing sections. Other changes included an improved weapons system and more powerful engines. Related variants were the MiG-29Š (a fighter-bomber variant) and the MiG-29UBM (a two-seat trainer-fighter version), but neither made it into the air.

Source:
AFM January 2007, MiG-29 Annex, Andrey Fomin

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig29m.html

.

Egyptian Mig 29M/M2 accompanied by a Russian Il-96-300PU during Putin's visit to Egypt

.