The latest two-seat multipurpose MiG-29M2 is making its Western
debut here at the Paris Air Show. Improvements over earlier MiG-29s
include high reliability, safety and combat effectiveness in complex
operational conditions, excellent flight and maintainability characteristics,
greatly improved logistics and low operating costs.
The MiG-29M2 features a modified airframe offering a high degree
of commonality with the MiG-29K naval variant. Its extended-area
wing and reinforced landing gear permit the aircraft to carry
up to 4,500 kg of weapons on eight hardpoints, and increased internal
fuel that extends operational range to 2,000 km.
The upgrade is also equipped with fly-by-wire digital flight controls
and an open-architecture avionics suite built around the Zhuk-M
phased array radar and an optronics sensor package. The aircraft
is able to carry the Kh-31A supersonic anti-ship missile with
an active radar homing seeker.
The MiG-29M2 will be marketed alongside the MiG-29SMT, an upgraded
single-seater with extended-range capabilities that MiG is offering
in conjunction with EADS, Thales and other Western companies.
MiG-29 upgrades are part of a framework cooperation agreement
between EADS and Russian government officials signed in 2000.
