Fighter Aicraft, MiG-29/6
Fighter Aicraft, MiG-29/6MiG-29, Part Six
By Easy Tartar
MiG-29 during maintenance checks
The MiG-29 Main Armament Control Panel:
The Weapons System Mode Selection Panel or Main Armament Panel is located in the upper left area of the front cockpit bulkhead. It is adjacent to the lower HUD structure where the helmet sight IR head-positioning sensors are located. The switches and knobs on this panel and with other weapon system panels throughout the cockpit do not seem to have been "human engineered" in a central order or scheme, they are each positioned for independent purposes although they share in the operation of various modes. Little thought must was given to the "intergration" of the switches, clusters, and separate panels.
However, the Main Armament Control Panel is the pilot's starting point when dealing with the business end of the Fulcrum. It brings together the N-019E "radar aiming complex" and the S-31E2 "optical / electronic aiming and navigation complex". This panel allows, through pilot switch actions, the selection of sensors and modes. The panel basically allows the pilot to select the radar or IRST modes he chooses to use, arm up his weapons, identify firing preferences, and manually control the main scan envelope of the radar or IRST. These are hard wired circuits and not software driven.
Main Armament Control Panel
On the far left side of the Armament Control Panel is the large MASTER ARM (UKFDY-JNRK) toggle-switch with the normal ON/OFF selections. In defector Alex Zuyev's book, Fulcrum: A TopGun Pilot's Escape from the Soviet Union (Warner, 1992), he is bringing the reader through his combat check list while flying the MiG-29, and mentions on page 21 that ... "At the upper right-hand corner of the main instrument panel, I deliberately pointed my finger to verify that the master arm switch was definately OFF." Interesting comment, was it a misprint or deliberate "misinformation". The Master Arm is on the pilot's left side. Or was he confused about an indication on the video attack presentation pictured on the CRT that assures the pilot the missiles are selected and armed.
Note that Captain Alexander Zuyev defected with his MiG-29 on 20 May 1989 to the Turkish Black Sea airport at Trabzon and is considered one of the most qualified Russian pilots to join the West since Viktor Belenko. The US Government, however, never got its hands on the aircraft because it was returned by Turkey.
The Main Armament Control Panel rotary Mode selector knob has the following options:
- NAVIG Navigation Mode
- PITCHUP Air-to-Ground Mode
- RDR Radar Modes
- IR IRST Modes
- CC ACM IRST Mode
- HELMET Helmet Sight Mode
- OPT Optical Display with IRST Mode
- Fø Boresight Radar & IRST
The "IR GAIN"/"HELMET BRIGHT" (ECBK/NG-ZHR/IK) rotating rheostat knob works the "gain" or "brightness" of the IR symbology and the reticule features involved with the Helmet Mounted Sight System. It rotates brighter clockwise and have other "light" sources under its control.The two-position "SALVO"/"SINGLE - 0.5 SALVO" (PFKG-JLBY-0/5R-NF) switch controls whether or not the missiles and gun fires at a prescribed rate or a maximum rate. In "SALVO", two missiles will be launched, 1.6 seconds apart, with each trigger squeeze and the gun will fire a burst limited only by ammunition. In "SINGLE"/"0.5 SALVO" there will be only one missile launched per trigger squeeze and the gun will limit itself to 1.6 second bursts. The "SINGLE/0.5 SALVO" selection is the primary mode of choice today with the re-united German Air Force, Russian doctrine would want to use the other setting stressing higher Pk values with two missiles launched for a controlled encounter.
If we return to Alex Zuyev's book, he mentions an interesting point about shooting missiles.... don't shoot one unless you are prepared to deal with an asymmetric load. Something not always considered in the West, but one that Lockheed had to deal with when the AIM-7 became part of the F-16 loadout. Therefore, Alex wanted to fire two missile to preserve the stability of the aircraft. Then comes the age-old Russian tradition of shooting two to maximize the Pk of the particular shot opportunity. Clearly, asymmetry can adversely effect your dogfight maneuvering capability. It is also interesting that in Russian military literature we find almost no discussion on "necessary" and "un-necessary" back up shots, or using a "shoot-look-shoot" method instead of letting missiles go impairs.
The two place "MANUAL-PREP"/"AUTO" (GJLU/HEXY/-HEXS) toggle switch can be seen to some degree as the old "interlocks" switch in the F-4. It sets up the hard-wire path to the trigger. In this case it is just the Master Arm and Trigger in "MANUAL PREP", versus the fire control system computer in "AUTO" combined with the onboard IFF interrogation system. Switching to "MANUAL" allows the pilot to technically "override" the weapon system interlocks that prevents missile firing while the attack computer is processing a solution. The pilot could then fire a missile without a Radar Lock-On, or Out of Range by just selection the Missile Trigger and having the Master Arm Switch "ON". "AUTO", of course, places the "command" of the firing sequence firmly in the hands of the computer. The "AUTO" Mode, meaning that firing circuits are run through the weapons computer, however the pilot would have to lock-up the target and select whether he wanted the automatic IFF interrogation (at lock-on) of friendly aircraft included in the logic by selecting "FRIENDLY" a Control Stick thumb-button. Radar interrogation of all targets is done by the computer automatically and a symbol for friendly or hostile is presented on the HUD with the attack presentation. .
Russian fighters have developed, since their first radar missiles, a technique that is supposed to give them the quickest shot off the missile rail if the system achieves both a radar lock-on and a confirmed interrogation of not "FRIENDLY", not necessarily a confirmed "HOSTILE". The MiG-29 export models can only determine aircraft of their own IFF make up. This technique was talked about by Viktor Belenko when he flew the MiG-25 and Alex Zuyev in the MiG-29. In the F-4 Phantom there was an Interlocks "ON"/"OFF" switch that would not allow a Sparrow missile to fire unless it met the computer solution, Interlocks "OFF" of course allowed the pilot to fire at will.
The pilot, in conjunction with the "FRIEND/FOE" selection on the Stick Grip, selects "FOE", and then actually continues flying with his missile trigger depressed and the Master Arm ON. For the MiG-29 this is an especially fast tactical mode when utilizing the radar and/or IRST in any of their dogfight auto-acquisition modes. The Helmet Mounted Sight system could also work in this manner. This cuts one or two valuable seconds off the firing sequence.
During the first night of the Gulf Air War, a "stream" of eight Strike Eagles (F-15E's) were making their way towards an attack into Western Iraq. It was one of the few times when the Iraqi Air Force had risen to the challenge and was aggressively trying to locate and shoot down the attacking formations. The Eagles were navigating on LANTIRN FLIR imagery as well as their internal systems and were aware that a MiG-29 and an attached MiG-23 were both searching for them trying to find the line of Eagles running in about 7-10 NM. trail. One of the last F-15E's watched (on radar and FLIR) as the MiG-29 came down the line of Eagles from the high left side with the MiG-23 is 3-5 NM. trail. Suddenly he must have finally gotten a radar or IRST contact because the MiG-29 turned sharply down and actually flew right in front of the previously targeted F-15E who was arming up, but at the same time not making any obvious moves or lock-ups. As the MiG-29's nose came around a missile came off and ran smack into his MiG-23 wingman coming down in trail. The aircraft blew up in a large fireball. The MiG-29 pilot then must have gotten disoriented because he flew right into the ground. After action speculation on this event noted the Russian "habit" of flying around with the trigger squeezed waiting for the auto-acquisition modes to grab a target and shoot a missile. Why the MiG-23 didn't respond to the MiG-29's interrogation as a FRIENDLY could possibly mean that they had their IFF's turned off, or the MiG-29 was not interrogating, or the pilot selected "MANUAL PREP" and fired at the first locked target. The next point was the interior MiG-29 cockpit instrumentation at night in unusual attitudes. The "gyro issue" was noted.
The three position ZONE Switch (PJYF), directs the azimuth positioning of the antenna scan. The Scan pattern of the antenna is theoretically ±65° in azimuth, +54° elevation up, and -36° elevation down. The 130° total azimuth scan is actually divided up into three sectors of ±25° each, with about 10° of overlap from the CENTER to the LEFT or RIGHT Scan. In most western aircraft, the radar scan is controlled automatically or by direct pilot action through hands-on switches or slewing-thumb buttons that provide general antenna positioning inputs. The MiG-29 antenna is manually positioned by this Azimuth Scan Switch and vertically by a separate elevation control knob on another panel. The most interesting factor about MiG-29 radar scanning is that the resultant display, which is projected on the gun sight glass and optically repeated on the cockpit installed CRT, is oriented always to the scan-center and not the actual boresight-nose of the aircraft. That is, on a right directed scan, a target that is 10 right of the right-scan centerline is displayed as being 10° Right on the center of the Gun Sight Glass, not 50° right in line with its actual position.
The Scan or Zone (PJYF) Switch allows the pilot to select a "LEFT-CENTER-RIGHT" search-scan for both the radar antenna and the IRST ball. Original Fulcrum N-019 radars scan a ±25° or 50° total scan-volume in anyone of the three scan selections. The CENTER Scan volume runs 25° either side of the aircraft centerline. The LEFT Scan starts at Left 15° from the aircraft centerline and ends 65° off the centerline. Hence there is a 10° overlap from the CENTER Scan and a full left side look angle of 65°, but the antenna does not return to 0°, it stops at 15° Left of the aircraft centerline. The same goes for the RIGHT Scan situation. This version of the MiG-29 radar does not make a full ±130° forward hemisphere scan, 65° to either side of the nose. The best azimuth coverage it gets is ±25°, but in any one of three sectors which must be manually selected.
The MiG-29, does not fully auto-couple the aircraft's flight control system with its ground control site as does the MiG-23 Flogger, but the MiG-29's weapon system is "commanded" by the ground GCI controller through datalink "directive queues" on the instruments and displays. The GCI controller may however, control some of the Radar's modes, direct a lock-up on a selected target, command the afterburner be engaged after, and just about everything else but fly the aircraft and fire the missiles in the sense that the trigger needs to be pulled by the pilot.
The Weapons Integration / Armament Control Panel:
The Weapons Integration/Armament Control Panel, sometimes simply called the Air-to-Ground Panel, is located forward of the throttles on the left console; the last panel before the vertical main instrument bulkhead. Most importantly, it is where the "COOPERATION" Switch is located. This is the second switch from the left on the forward line of switches. With this switch engaged, in the "COOPERATION" position the Radar will automatically switch to a medium PRF mode with a 50 Km scope with a large square acquisition box and operate with both Radar antenna and IRST Ball functioning together in scan and elevation. Regardless of what mode you are in on the Radar Operating Panel or the Main Armament Panel, either "Radar" (HK) or "IR" (NK) mode, the "COOPERATION" switch action throws the Radar into this joint mode automatically.
Initially, in the Luftawaffe, this was the only way to get ranging information while utilizing the IRST, i.e. through the Radar, because the laser was being evaluated for eye-damage potential and disabled.
With the "COOPERATION" Switch in the OFF position, the Radar and IR systems work separately according to Main Armament panel selections. Even when "cooperating" with the IR system, the Radar can be shut down into "STANDBY" at anytime by a switch action on the Radar Modes Panel. and rests at aircraft boresight. The IR ball also rests at boresight when the Radar operates alone.
The basic MiG-29 can employ air-to-ground stores such as the 57mm B-8M1 rocket pods, 250 kg & 500 kg gravity bombs, dispensors, and napalm or large single-station S-8 & S-24B unguided rockets. These weapons are fired or released via the "Missile Trigger" on the stick accompanied by the following switch actions: on the Weapons Integration Panel, the "AIR/GROUND" switch to "GROUND" and "RETARD/NO-RETARD" switch to what is needed for the weapon. On the Main Armament Panel the Weapon System Mode Knob rotated to the "PITCHUP" (RFMH) position, the "ARM/SAFE" (DPHSD/YTDPSD) switch to "ARM". Radar, not laser ranging appears to be utilized in the "PITCHUP" mode, but there is definately no CCIP (continuous computed inpact point) like mode.
When the "PITCHUP" (RFMH) mode is selected on the Main Armament Panel, the "COOPERATION" Switch reverts to the "RETARD"/"NO RETARD" mode that would effect the fuze arming and fin-retard selection of many air-to-surface weapons. The "PITCHUP" Mode generates a "Dive Toss" type presentation on the HUD. A target coordinate can be placed in the Navigation Computer and pulled up as a waypoint in the Navigation Mode to present a relative position cue (circle) with steering information on the HUD depicting the target location not adjusted for navigation in-accuracy. Once at the target location, the "PITCHUP" Mode gives a bomb-fall reference line with a target aim-point pipper that correlates to the position of the radar antenna for air-to-ground ranging. The aircraft is placed in a dive to the target which is placed under the pipper, the "BOMB-MISSILE-TRIGGER" is depressed and the the aim-point is stored and tracked by the radar antenna while processing data for a dive-toss release are done and the bombs are dropped during the pull-out to meet the computed ballistics. The same release point can be reached by passing over the target point and doing a loop back into the bomb run from the opposite direction. Actually designating the target as you pass over it is a possibility in advanced variants.
For in-close air combat and strafing, the single-barrel 9A-4071K (GSh-30/1) aircraft cannon with 170 x 30 mm rounds is fired by using the "GUNS-TRIGGER", Master "ARM", and "SALVO" selection switches. Today the ammunition loading has been reduced to 150 rounds to accomodate early system upgrades requiring structure volume. If air-to-air modes are utilized by the radar and/or IRST, the gun presentation is for air-to-air gunnery with radar and/or laser ranging. As a backup there is a funnel, manual wing-span high aspect gun sight mode produced when the "GUN-TRIGGER" is initiated and no lock-up is available. Air-to-ground strafe can be done utilizing the Dive-Toss bomb fall line and pipper or the "TEST" manual depressed reticle grid from the HUD.
The original prototype 09-01 was fitted with a two barrel GSh-23L (similar to that found on the MiG-21 and MiG-23) and alternately a new twin-barrel GSh-30 at the front of the left wing root with magazine inboard and collector box outboard. The final single-barrel 30 mm gun was selected because it saved critical volume needed for fuel and avionics and because the laser/radar ranging system offered the Russian Air Force its most accurate gunnery platform ever. Tests concluded that only a few rounds could achieve a kill and hence the 170 round load was reduced to 150.
There are also two very interesting switches on the left-most location of both the upper and lower rows on the Air-to-Ground Panel. The upper switch appears to be a "RESET" (C,HJC) switch, necessary when the hard-wire circuits dead-end. The lower switch is the a "DATALINK GUIDANCE" basic "ON/OFF" switch for the two-way Lazur System utilized by the ground control installations. The Datalink frequency and mode selections are done from panels located on the right side of the cockpit.
The EMER-RELEASE (FDFH-CMHJC) Switch allows for the immediate jettison of both wing mounted 1500 liter external fuel tanks. There are published speed and G-limitations. There is no Master Jettison Switch for all stores at the same time. The Weapons Integration Control Panel deals with external wing air-to-ground stores which in later aircraft would include wing tanks. The Centerline Tank is released through a Jettison Button located on the inboard side of the control stick column. The over-wing chaff/flare dispensors and wing-mounted missiles are jettisoned from a white colored verticle switch panel on the front bulkhead, and individual missiles can be blasted off unguided by selecting the MANUAL PREP position + SALVO + ARM + MISSILE TRIGGER and hold the trigger down until everything leaves the aircraft. Selective firing can be done by usuing the INBOARD / OUTBOARD Switch + 0.5 SALVO + MANUAL PREP + MISSILE TRIGGER.
The Station Selection Switch, located on the upper left console (near drag chute "button"), that gives an "INBOARD/OUTBOARD" (DYENH/DGTLY) choice of weapon stations. The "INBOARD" selection are the two most inboard missile stations which are also the wing-tank stations. In a western context they might be considered Stations 3 & 5. The "OUTBOARD" selection involves the four outboard missile stations which are generally dedicated for IR guided air-to-air missiles of the Aphid (R60/AA-8) or Archer (R73/AA-11) type. Or air-to-ground stores. These could be referred to as Stations 1,2,6, & 7.
The Armament Wing Station Select Switch
When the "PITCHUP" air-to-ground Mode is selected on the Main Armament Panel, or "MANUAL PREP" thus disconnecting the computer's command over the firing sequence, the pilot can select the weapons station he wants to work with, but he does not actually "step through" missiles or air-to-ground stores as he could do in most western aircraft. He can choose, for instance, whether he utilizes his Radar or IR missiles, thus overriding the armament computer's decision.
Six A/C Wpns Stations
..1....2.........3...............4...............5........6...7...
My station numbering
..6....4.........2................................1........3...5...
Russian numbering
TANK TANK
TANK Fuel Tanks
R27R1
R27R1 Alamo A
R60.......R60 ..........R60
R60...........R60.........R60 Aphid B/C
R73E...R73E........R73E
R73E........R73E...R73E Archer A/B
C-8.....C-8
C-8....C-8 57mm Rocket
Pods
FB250
FB250 250 kg GP Bombs
FB500
FB500 500 kg GP Bombs
B8M1....B8M1......B8M1
B8M1.........B8M1.....B8M1 B8M1 rocket pods
S8........S8........
......S8...........S8 S8 unguided
rocket
S24.....S24.....
......S24........S24 S24 unguided
rocket
Note that the two key wing stations (3 & 5) are responsible for BVR missiles (R-27R1), Dogfight Missiles (R-73E), 250/500 kg. bombs, Rocket Pods, and External Fuel Tanks which severely limit the mixed load options. Also note that the Russians do not use the same station reference numbers. Their's start with the inboard stations at 1 & 2 with odd numbers on the left, facing forward to 1-3-5 and 2-4-6, with no number for the centerline. Note also, that with no way to identify the centerline station.There is also a switch on the Air-to-Ground Panel labeled "ENABLE" (YFDTL), which is always found taped over and is non-existent on most non-Russian aircraft. It could provide the necessary electric power to arm a special or nuclear weapon impling that the MiG-29 could carry a nuclear store.
As we probe further into the MiG-29, especially from a Western mindset, the point continues to come up over how can the pilot get command of all aspects of the weapon system in the aircraft and do things "his way". Of course, this is the most alarming thing about the MiG-29, it does not allow for this, but as we started to uncover, there are various manual mode options that can be used to gain control of some aspects of the weapon system. From the Russian mindset, none of that flexibility is nesessary to perform the mission.
In most western aircraft, the radar scan is controlled automatically or by direct pilot action through hands-on switches or slewing-thumb buttons that provide general directive inputs. The MiG-29 antenna is manually positioned by this Azimuth Scan Switch and vertically by a separate elevation control knob on another panel. The Scan pattern of the antenna is theoretically ±60° in azimuth, +54° elevation up, and -36° elevation down. The most interesting factor about MiG-29 radar scanning is that the resultant display, which is projected on the gun sight glass and optically repeated on the cockpit installed CRT, is oriented always to the scan and not the nose of the aircraft. That is, on a right directed scan, a target that is 10 right of the right-scan centerline is displayed as being 10° Right on the Gun Sight Glass, not 50° or 60° right from the nose of the aircraft.
The Infrared Search & Track with Laser Ranger (IRST/LR):
The S-31E2 IRST and Helmet Sight are selected by switch actions that start from the "IR" setent and continue clockwise to "HELMET", on the Weapon Select Panel. Note that the "HELMET" selection detent is beyond the "IR" selection, therefore placing the Helmet Sight Mode selections under the control of the IR side of the weapons system switching mechanisms.
A Laser Ranging (LR) system is used in conjunction with an IR Search and Track sensor. The laser is turned on anytime the Helmet sight system is selected through switch action "HELMET", anytime the "GUN-TRIGGER" is selected, and when the radar fails tracking a target when the "Integration Switch" is activated.
The laser is guaranteed to provide range inside 8 km (5.6 NM). When the "GUN-TRIGGER" is selected on the Weapons Selection Paddle Switch on the Stick (Missiles/Guns), and "IR" is selected on the Main Armament Panel, the Laser Ranger and the IRST both operate in a "free" mode locking up on the first, and hottest, target. The range which is computed by the laser is displayed on the HUD, not on the Helmet Sight Reticle. The max slant range of the laser is given as 14 km (7.7 NM) and it is considered generally very reliable in VMC conditions out to 8 km (4.4 NM). Laser "CEP" is considered to be 1 meter (3.3 ft) which seems to be reasonably the "range-error" at 8 km (4.4 NM).
The Helmet Sight projects both symbols and numbers for tracking targets and aiming weapons on a transparent glass in front of the helmet. The IRST has an angular resolution better than a radar solution and is considered better than any in the West. In clear (VMC) weather, the IRST is the favored target tracking system in all aspects since it can see out at ranges that matches good eyesight, which we have come to understand to be the 14 km assessment with a more practical 7-8 km practical estimate. The MiG-29 FCS automatically senses any degraded performance of the IRST due to environmental conditions (clouds, rain, etc.) and will switch on the radar to complete the tracking solution.
The laser measures range for the GS-301 GUN, and it is 10 times more accurate than a radar GUN solution. It was noted that in the early tests the GUN system was so accurate that the FCS computer would shut it off after 4-6 rounds. Have no idea if the fire control computer asses probability of Kill.
The 0.1 micro second pulse length implies that there is a 100ft pulse of laser energy, which is considerable smaller than any of the more damaging lasers which can have pulse lengths of several miles. It would more than likely be in a 5 Watt power class and would be capable of around 2-4 pulses per second. If during laser range tracking the laser breaks lock (clouds, haze, etc.) the radar is mechanized to turn on immediately and continue tracking.
The two main types of lasers that are used, the "Yag" and the "Glass" variety each represent certain levels of capability. The "Yag" generally runs pulse lengths of 0.02 milli seconds and puts out around 10 pulses per second whereas the "Glass" variety is in the ball park of the 0.1 micro second pulse length. Both produce the same wavelength laser at 1.06 microns. The "Glass" is considered to be able to produce 2-4 pulses per second.
In the MiG-21/23 family up to the Fishbed J/K/L/N and Flogger E with the J-Bird Radar, the use of the Nr-23 twin-barrel gun is mostly manual because the radar minimum range was around 600 meters (1968 ft) and at the maximum boundry for good air-to-air gunnery for the 23 mm gun. Therefore the Russians knew for some time that they did not have reliable gun systems, especially in a maneuvering environment. A situation rectified by the MiG-29's Laser Ranger.
Air-to-air Gunnery can be optimized by improving radar performance in close, improve the range of the guns, utilize laser ranging, or all the above. Evolving through the MiG-21 with its "J-Bird" radar, the MiG-23 series with the "High Lark" and then finally on to the "Slot Back" radar with the MiG-29, the Mikoyan engineers have created an excellent director gun system.
The switch sequencing in these earlier aircraft to achieve a air-to-air weapons utilization was numerous. Power Supply to external store stations, Gun Camera ON, Gun Sight ON, Homing Missiles Selected (fixed reticle) over Gyro Gun Sight, Inboard/Outboard stations Selected, Radar ON/OFF (transmit), Air-to-Air or Air-to-Ground Selected, Rockets or Air-to-Air Missiles, Firing or Bombing Selection, Auto and Manual Selection, and finally radar modes had to be selected and jettison or emergency switches set up along with engine Emer-Start sequencing which was eventually made automatic with missile firing. All of this thinking had to go into the MiG-29 in some improved manner, and it was. Laser ranging then seems to have given the Russians, first, a positive and reliable "GUNS" capability, then the back-up to the radar in VMC conditions.
The Russian Air Force used an "external base method" of manual ranging and angles approximation for manual gunnery situations inside of 600 meters range and optimized for the 400-200 meter envelope. The gun sight was placed into a fixed reticle mode ("Homing Missiles" instead of "Gyro") and target aspect would have to be approximated. The Lead Angle would be determined from 0 to 140 mils based on the manual "mil-rings" on the gunsight that would respond to aspects from 0° (tail-on) to 90° (beam). They actually created formulas for the determination of Lead Angle. The fixed reticle method reflects steady state closure at constant 4-6 G's with lead on a turning target. An alternative "Fuselage Method" can be applied when the target "wing span" can be determined and placed into the respective gun sight ring. Wing span, and thus size of the target determines a factor of "fuselage length equivalent lead", up to two times the length. Wing spans of 10-14 meters (33-46 ft) and 14-18 meters (46-59 ft) are utilized in the existing gun sight rings.
In the MiG-29, the manual "GUN" back-up mode utilizes a selectible wing span knob applied to a "funnel" presentation that is quite effective, with or withour ranging.
With the HELMET Sight, once engaged, the IRST moves with the pilot's head to its gymbol limits. When the pilot sees a target and puts the double-circle que of the HMS on it, he actuates a throttle "LOCK-UP" Switch. The IRST locks-up on the target. The pilot now has to go back to the HUD and check for range to the target, if he wants it, on the 10 km scale. If the radar assesses that the target is inside of 14 km (7.7 NM) it will tell the Laser Ranger to get working, and it is supposed to provide range info by around 7-8 km (3.8-4.4 NM).
When the radar is "ON" it becomes the primary weapons mode and is used supported by the Data Link system and close GCI control. The Helmet Sight does not slave the Radar antenna because that would interfere with the two-way feedback from the Data Link. Also, it would seem consistent with Soviet thinking that the radar would not be turned on until it was needed or being used to launch a missile. The HMS could then be the pilot's "manual" (man-in-the-loop) back up to the auto and close control GCI modes of intercept.
There is a good chance that the MiG-29 pilot would be flying under direct or indirect data link command with the radar OFF, and his only real backup would be through the HMS in case of a bad intercept, or the arrival of an unknown target.
The max slant range of the Laser is 14km (7.7 NM) and the Russians guarantee it out to 8 km (4.4 NM). Up to15km (8.2NM) detection capability for the IRST versus a Military Power Target was indicated in Mikoyan discussions. From 4-8km (2.2-4.4 NM) the IRST autotracks the target with the help of the Laser ranger, and the results are displayed on the HUD with symbols, not on the HMS.
It can be assumed then, that there is a full "covert" attack capability in close. With full radar tracking the IRST can track further out. When visual contact is made inside of 7km, the helmet sight can slave the laser ranger and get a range read out of the target on the HUD. The auto mode uses radar auto track with IRST and laser ranging. With the IRST tracking the target in AZ & EL, and the Laser Ranger getting Range information there is displayed on the HUD a full track presentation. The weapon system can then bring up the CW illumination and fire an AA-10a Alamo radar missile or uncage the head of an IR Aphid or Archer missile.
The MiG-29 Radar Modes Panel:
The N-019 Radar has a primary modes function panel located on the left side of the main cockpit bulkhead just up from the Air-to-Ground Panel where the Cooperation switch is located and just down from the Main Armament panel adjacent the HUD.
There are several Radar Modes of Operation that are mechanized quite differently than anything found in Western Fighters. The most interesting is the manual selection of antenna look-angle (up or down) by a rotary detent switch and not a thumb-wheel on the stick or throttle. GCI information is relayed to the pilot who then places the antenna to the elevation block where the target is expected or found. Elevation is expressed in degrees up and down from the nose boresight.
Once the Pilot selects "Radar" on the Main Armament Control Panel there are five primary radar modes selectable from the "Radar Modes" switch and one special mode is available when the "Cooperation" switch is initiated on the Weapon Integration (Air-to-Ground) Panel. The special combined radar/IRST mode overrides all of those selected on this panel except for Close Combat. It is also important to turn the Radar ON/OFF (JNRG) switch to "ILLUMINATE" (BPK) out of the "DUMMY" (PRD) position which is a standby warming position that keeps the radar prepared for immediate operation. The MiG-29 pilot will generally turn on his radar before takeoff but keep it in "DUMMY" until needed or instructed to use it. The ground GCI data link cannot turn the radar ON or OFF, it is strictly a pilot switch action.
Sensor Search Modes
Radar Modes Panel (Rdr Selected on Main Armament Panel)
Free Search (CG) [SP]
Encounter (D) [E]
Pursuit (L) [P]
Automatic (FDN) [AUTO]
IR Side of the Main Armament Panel: IRST
(HK) [IR-STROBE]
Integrated Weapon Armament Panel:
Combined Rdr/IRST (DPVL) [COOP]
Air Combat Modes
Main Armament Panel:
IRST Close Combat (M MJQ) [CC]
Radar Mode Panel
Rdr Close Combat (NG M MJQ) [CC]
Control Stick Column
Gun Trigger (YJ) [Manual Guns]
The Encounter "E" (HKC-D) Mode utilizes "High-PRF" for optimal forward quarter intercepts. It generates a 150 km (82 nm) scope presentation and utilizes a horizontal-oriented rectangle acquisition box. The doppler sub-banks can see targets registering in Vc (closing or opening doppler) from 220 kph to 2200 kph (120 kts to 1203 kts).The Pursuit "P" (HKC-L) Mode utilizes "Medium-PRF" for optimal rear hemishpere target tracking. It generates a 50 km (27 nm) scope presentation and utilizes a square-shaped acquisition box. The system requires at least a ±50 kph closure/opening to register a target on the dopler sub-banks. Pilots report that there are more false alarms but less ground clutter.
The Free Search "SP" (HKC-CG) Mode also utilizes 'High-PRF" for optimal forward quarter intercepts. It generates a 150 km (82 nm) scope presentation and utilizes a smaller horizontal-oriented rectangle acquisition box. The doppler sub-banks can see targets registering 200 to 2200 kph in closure. Free Search is mechanized to regect all chaff and clutter utilizing the higher doppler sub-bank register for minimum closure seen.
The Automatic "AUTO" (HKC-FDN) Mode utilizes an intermittent mixture of "Hi and Medium PRF" for the optimal incorporation of the Track-While Scan (TWS) capability of the Radar. It generates a 100 km (55 nm) scope and utilizes a larger horizontal-oriented rectangle acquisition box. There is very little clutter seen and the TWS mode is less succeptable to chaff and jamming but does create many false alarms. Actual target motion traces are registered on the scope display longer. The system will step or jump through the next-priority target up to ten times and remain with the one that has the most direct closure to the aircraft. In order to initiate the Track-While-Scan function, the second toggle switch along the bottom of the Radar panel, the "Radar Missile Fuzing and TWS" (GGC-PGC) switch, must be in the upper "Forward Hemisphere Position" most position. The term "Automatic" is a result of the fact that the system is virtually computer controlled and working automatically to determine the highest closure (Vc) threat. It will eventually auto-lock on this target providing a full-track presentation on the HUD and radar display. Pilots report that there is a poor, one in ten success rate, with this mode against known targets that can be seen in the Encounter Mode. It overloads the computer, catches too long on the many false alarms, and reduces contact range. However, it is used best in weather conditions or against large formations where a "raid assessment" by closure could be useful.
The "CC" (Radar Close Combat Mode) utilizes a + 45°/-14° vertical scan mode (VSM) that is 6° wide (±3°) and provides an auto acquisition of a target from 250 m to 10000 m (820 ft to 5.5 NM) in range. Note that the "CC" switch action on the Main Armament Panel would only be for the IRST, but it would produce a similar scan pattern. This verticle scan mode is not slewable, therefore the pilot must maneuver the aircraft's vertical lift vector to intersect the target's flight path. The "CC" switch will override all other radar modes including the combined Radar/IRST mode initiated by the "Cooperation" switch on the Air-to-Ground Panel. Remember that the "Cooperation" switch itself overrides any Radar Mode selected by the Radar Modes switch except the "CC" mode.
Advanced Fulcrum models and retrofit kits allow for the introduction of the AA-12 (R-77) "Adder" Missile which has been characterized as being equalivent to the American AMRAAM. To best utilize the active radar capability of the AA-12 and modification to the MiG-29 weapon system was made for the Malaysian Air Force and is being marketed world wide. The "SNP-1/SNP-2" switch was installed on the Radar Panel and is utilized in conjunction with the Track-While-Scan mode. Two highest threat targets can then be identified and passed off to two separate missiles waiting on the rails.
The switches along the bottom of the Radar Modes Panel (HT{BVS HKC) represent sophisticated circuitry in the radar processor. The "COMP" (RJVK) switch initiates an increased sensitivity for side-lobe compensation and is expected to reduce it by 33% at a slight loss of radar max range capability. The Track-While-Scan and Hemisphere Fuzing switch has a more complicated function. During any radar full single-target track situation, the pilot can "help" the computer present the proper fuzing instructions to the AA-10 missile if he chooses the closest target engagement aspect as "FHS" (KKC) for forward hemisphere or "RHS" (KC) for rear-hemisphere. When the radar is in the "AUTO" (FDN) Mode, the pilot can select "FHS" (KKC), again and start the radar processor stepping through possible targets looking for the highest closing velocity threat.
The "AJ/CAJ" switch on the right produces the "anti-jam" and "acquisition-on-jam" equivalent switch actions. "AJ" (FG) works to reduce radar succeptability to jamming and "CAJ" (FGR) attempts to move the radar track gates towards a known jamming pulse.
Go to MiG-29/7
Go to other parts of the MiG-29 study:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Latest Topic | Air Warfare | Symposium '98 | Fighter Tactics | Fighter Aircraft | Missiles | Fighter Aviation Topic | Fighter History | Warbirds | News Links | Current News | Links | Physiology | Photo Gallery | Bibliography | SIIVET - Wings | What's New
J Lindberg Copyright © 1997-2006 Fighter Tactics Academy. All rights reserved.
Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
Revised: tammikuu 02, 2006.
