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156-501: The Slovak Air Force is tasked with the defense of the sovereign Slovak state and the support of the nation's ground troops. Following the retirement of the Mikoyan MiG-29 in 2022, 7 L-39 Albatros provide the fast-jet capability role to the air force, awaiting the delivery of American F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in 2024. 6 Let-410 Turbolet aircraft provide surveillance and transport capabilities, while 2 C-27 Spartan transports provide

312-514: A Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 L autocannon . In the ground-attack role, the MiG-23S could carry two Kh-23 (AS-7 "Kerry") radio guidance air-to-surface missiles , two to four UB-16 rocket pods with S-5 rockets , S-24 rockets or up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of various bomb types. The MiG-23 Edition 1971, equipped with the Sapfir-23L radar and TP-23 infrared search and track (IRST), could fire

468-591: A Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 ). Six more flight prototypes and two static-test prototypes were prepared for further flight and system testing. All featured the Tumansky R-27-300 turbojet engine with a thrust of 77 kN (17,300 lbf ). The order to start series production of the MiG-23 was given in December 1967. The first production " MiG-23S " (NATO reporting name 'Flogger-A') took to the air on 21 May 1969, with Fedotov at

624-611: A Phazotron RLPK-29 radar fire control system which includes the N019 Sapfir 29 look-down/shoot-down coherent pulse-Doppler radar and the Ts100.02-02 digital computer. The N019 radar was not a new design, but rather a development of the Sapfir-23ML architecture used on the MiG-23ML. During the initial design specification period in the mid-1970s, Phazotron NIIR was tasked with producing

780-523: A look-down/shoot-down radar, the RP-23 Sapfir , and one of the first to be armed with beyond-visual-range missiles . Production started in 1969 and reached large numbers with over 5,000 aircraft built, making it the most produced variable-sweep wing aircraft in history. The MiG-23 remains in limited service with some export customers. The basic design was also used as the basis for the Mikoyan MiG-27 ,

936-409: A probe-and-drogue system . The cockpit features a conventional centre stick and left hand throttle controls. The pilot sits in a Zvezda K-36DM ejection seat . The cockpit has conventional dials, with a head-up display (HUD) and a Shchel-3UM helmet mounted display , but no HOTAS ("hands-on-throttle-and-stick") capability. Emphasis seems to have been placed on making the cockpit similar to

1092-503: A "knuckle rapper" which would strike the pilot's knuckles as the limit was approached. Cockpit visibility was also somewhat poor in the MiG-23, although the view straight ahead was superior compared to the MiG-21. In particular, visibility was poor looking to the rear, partially due to the ejection seat which wrapped around the pilot's head, requiring the pilot to lean forward to look to the side or behind. To assist with looking directly behind

1248-408: A 3-parachute system. Engaging the ejection seat could take a long time, as the pilots had to place their feet in the stirrups, let go of the control column, grab the two trigger handles, squeeze and lift them. The first parachute, the size of a large handkerchief, was deployed out of a telescoping rod which would pop out of the top back of the seat as it started to clear the windscreen windbreak area. It

1404-432: A MiG-23 could easily perform a loop 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) high that other planes would struggle to follow, at the bottom of which it would cut back inside them and proceed to fly off until outside their visual range so it could come back in again. The only other BFM the MiG-23 could perform, according to Col (ret.) John "Sax" Saxman, was the "no circle fight": as the two aircraft approached and passed close by each other

1560-586: A Phazotron Zhuk-M radar. The aircraft is also being equipped to enhance beyond-visual-range combat ability and for air-to-air refuelling to increase endurance. In 2007, Russia also gave India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a licence to manufacture 120 RD-33 series 3 turbofan engines for the upgrade. The upgrade will also include a new weapon control system, improved cockpit ergonomics , air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and guided bombs. The first six MiG-29s will be upgraded in Russia while

1716-478: A Ukrainian Su-25 was shot down, with Ukrainian officials stating that a Russian MiG-29 shot it down using a R-27T missile. Russia denied these allegations. During the first half of September 2017, the Russian Aerospace Forces deployed some MiG-29SMT multirole combat aircraft to Khmeimim Airbase, near Latakia, in western Syria, becoming the first time the modernized version of the baseline Fulcrum jet

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1872-575: A dedicated ground-attack variant. Among many minor changes, the MiG-27 replaced the MiG-23's nose-mounted radar system with an optical panel holding a laser designator and a TV camera . The MiG-23's predecessor, the MiG-21 , was fast and agile, but limited in its operational capabilities by its primitive radar , short range, and limited weapons load (restricted in some aircraft to a pair of short-range R-3/K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll") air-to-air missiles ). Work began on

2028-505: A disclosure in Parliament, Defence Minister A. K. Antony said the MiG-29 is structurally flawed in that it has a tendency to develop cracks due to corrosion in the tail fin. Russia has shared this finding with India, which emerged after the crash of a Russian Air Force MiG-29 in December 2008. "A repair scheme and preventive measures are in place and IAF has not encountered major problems concerning

2184-546: A discount on AH-1Z Viper helicopters to buy long-range air defense system MIM-104 Patriot. Following a request for military aid by Ukraine, the Slovak Air Force provided a number of aircraft and equipment as aid. In April, this included the donation of a Soviet era S-300PMU air defence battery, in addition to 4 Mil Mi-17 and one Mil Mi-2 helicopters, through the European Peace Facility . On 31 August 2022,

2340-499: A general resistance to spins. The airframe consists primarily of aluminum with some composite materials, and is stressed for up to 9 g (88 m/s²) maneuvers. The controls have "soft" limiters to prevent the pilot from exceeding g and alpha limits, but the limiters can be disabled manually. The MiG-29 has two widely spaced Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, each rated at 50 kilonewtons (11,200 lbf) dry and 81.3 kilonewtons (18,300 lbf) in afterburner . The space between

2496-459: A high failure rate occurring every 43 minutes on average, lack of munitions, no modernisation since 1996 and lack of pilots for the old fighter jets. Russian technicians were suspected of sabotage, as per statement from the Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď . Due to unusual failures occurring on parts serviced only by Russian personnel, as well as other issues with spare parts. A criminal investigation

2652-750: A light tactical airlift capability. The helicopter fleet consists of 9 Mil Mi-17, gradually being replaced by the UH-60 Black Hawk . The Slovak Air Force has been under the command of Major General Róbert Tóth since January 1, 2021. Many Slovak pilots served in Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops or in Entente air forces. Some Slovak pilots as part of Czechoslovak Legionnaires served even in French Air Force or Imperial Russian Air Service . Pilots like Jozef Kiss and Fritz Wowy been one of

2808-552: A lot was made about the MiG-29 issue several months ago, not very much has been noticed about the sheer amount of spare parts and other things that we've done to help them actually put more of their own MiG-29s in the air and keep those that are in the air flying for a longer period of time. And then also, in recent PDA [Presidential Drawdown Authority] packages we've included a number of anti-radiation missiles that can be fired off of Ukrainian aircraft. They can have effects on Russian radars and other things." Soviet era aircraft don't have

2964-490: A modern radar for the MiG-29. To speed development, Phazotron based its new design on work undertaken by NPO Istok on the experimental " Soyuz " radar program. Accordingly, the N019 was originally intended to have a flat planar array antenna and full digital signal processing , for a detection and tracking range of at least 100 km (62 mi) against a fighter-sized target. Prototype testing revealed this could not be attained in

3120-684: A number of different operations, and are commonly outfitted to use a range of air-to-surface armaments and precision munitions . The MiG-29 has been manufactured in several major variants, including the multirole Mikoyan MiG-29M and the navalised Mikoyan MiG-29K ; the most advanced member of the family to date is the Mikoyan MiG-35 . Later models frequently feature improved engines, glass cockpits with HOTAS -compatible flight controls, modern radar and infrared search and track (IRST) sensors, and considerably increased fuel capacity; some aircraft have also been equipped for aerial refueling . Following

3276-554: A pair of R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid") missiles. Starting with aircraft number 3201, the APU-60-2 double-rail launcher was introduced, allowing the MiG-23M to carry four R-60 missiles. The MiG-23 could carry up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) in bombs and rockets, and from aircraft number 3701 onward it could fire the Kh-23 and Kh-23M air-to-surface missiles. Lastly, all VVS MiG-23Ms had the ability to mount

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3432-689: A ratio of nearly 2:1 in the Czech Republic's favor. The exceptions to this rule were the MiG-23 's, which were given exclusively to the Czech Air force, and the MiG-29 's, which were divided evenly between the two nations. Slovak bases were initially under-equipped to handle the aircraft transferred from the Czech bases, and required considerable improvements in infrastructure to facilitate the new air force. On March 1, 1995,

3588-417: A replacement for the MiG-21 in the early 1960s. The new aircraft was required to have better performance and range than the MiG-21, while carrying more capable avionics and weapons including beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles. A major design consideration was take-off and landing performance. The Soviet Air Force ( VVS ) demanded the new aircraft have a much shorter take-off run. Low-level speed and handling

3744-515: A second crash with a MiG-29 in east Siberia in December 2008, Russian officials admitted that most MiG-29 fighters in the Russian Air Force were incapable of performing combat duties due to poor maintenance. The age of the aircraft was also an important factor as about 70% of the MiGs were considered to be too old to take to the skies. The Russian MiG-29s have not received updates since the collapse of

3900-521: A secret training program known as project Constant Peg to familiarize American pilots with Soviet aircraft. Additionally, a Cuban pilot flew a MiG-23BN to the U.S. in 1991, and a Libyan MiG-23 pilot also defected to Greece in 1981. In both cases, the aircraft were later repatriated. Initially, American intelligence on the MiG-23 assumed that the fighter could turn well and had reasonable acceleration capability, but testing during HAVE PAD proved this assumption to be incorrect. While its turning capability

4056-583: A serious threat in air combat. Test pilots who flew the MiG-23 as part of Constant Peg came to similar conclusions about the MiG-23 being an effective interceptor rather than a dogfighter, but were more critical of the planes they flew. Among their complaints was that the MiG-23's airframe was too easily overstressed; that it was unstable in yaw as it passed the sound barrier and again when approaching Mach 2; that its narrow landing gear, although designed to be used on unprepared surfaces, tended to slip and slide in adverse weather conditions; and because it sat low to

4212-480: A shark mouth painted on the nose just aft of the radome, and many were piloted by Soviet–Afghan War veterans. In the late 1980s, these aggressor MiG-23s were replaced by MiG-29s, also featuring shark mouths. Soviet–Afghan War Soviet MiG-23s were used over Afghanistan, often being used to escort missions close to the borders of Pakistan and Iran, as the MiG-21 lacked the necessary range to do so. Some of them were claimed to have been shot down . The earliest use of

4368-551: A single GSh-30-1 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon in the port wing root. This originally had a 150-round magazine, which was reduced to 100 rounds in later variants, which only allows a few seconds of firing before running out of ammo. Original production MiG-29 aircraft cannot fire the cannon when carrying a centerline fuel tank as it blocks the shell ejection port. This was corrected in the MiG-29S and later versions. Three pylons are provided under each wing (four in some variants), for

4524-421: A single nuclear bomb via a special adapter under the fuselage, either the 10- kiloton RN-24 or the 30-kiloton RN-40 . In the second-generation MiG-23ML, a new SUV-2ML weapons system allowed the aircraft to carry both types of R-23 missiles simultaneously. The typical loadout was an R-23R on the starboard wing pylon and an R-23T on the port wing pylon. Besides other ordnance (including a single nuclear bomb),

4680-416: A team led by A.A Andreyev, with MiG directed to build a variable-geometry prototype, the " 23-11 " in 1965. The 23-11 featured variable-geometry wings which could be set to angles of 16, 45 and 72 degrees, and it was clearly more promising. The maiden flight of 23–11 took place on 10 June 1967, flown by the famous MiG test pilot Aleksandr Vasilyevich Fedotov (who set the absolute altitude record in 1977 in

4836-435: A total of six (or eight). The inboard pylons can carry either a 1,150 L (250 imp gal; 300 US gal) fuel tank, one Vympel R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") medium-range air-to-air missile, or unguided bombs or rockets. Some Soviet aircraft could carry a single nuclear bomb on the port inboard station. The outer pylons usually carry R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") dogfight air to air missiles, although some users still retain

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4992-419: A true appreciation of its capabilities. Early MiG-29s were very agile aircraft, capable of rivaling the performance of contemporary F-18 and F-16 aircraft. However, their relatively low fuel capacity relegated them to short-range air defense missions. Lacking HOTAS and an inter-aircraft data link, and requiring a very intensive "heads-down" approach to operating cockpit controls, the early MiG-29 denied pilots

5148-519: A turning engagement with the MiG-21, the MiG-23 gave the VVS capabilities which the MiG-21 simply lacked, particularly as a high-energy fighter with BVR missiles. However, throughout the 1970s and early 1980s Soviet pilots continued to train and operate the MiG-23 in the same inflexible manner as the MiG-21: a high-speed point defense interceptor closely guided by GCI . It was not until the widespread introduction of

5304-482: A very limited asset. The pilots of Constant Peg sought to teach these and other aspects of the MiG-23 to the frontline Tactical Air Command squadrons (nicknamed Blue Air) against whom they trained: We taught the guys that if you were defensive with a Flogger right behind you, then you were automatically offensive, because even the worst pilot in the world would be able to deny him the shot. You would turn, he would try and turn with you, but he would never be able to turn

5460-871: Is a twin-engine fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union . Developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s, the MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27 , was developed to counter U.S. fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon . The MiG-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1983. While originally oriented towards combat against any enemy aircraft, many MiG-29s have been furnished as multirole fighters capable of performing

5616-580: Is a set made of shield with national cross on three hills which point towards the belly of aircraft. They are the same color as the Slovak flag, red, white, and blue. It appears on the side of helicopters and on both sides of the wings and tail of aircraft. Future F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft should wear a NATO standard compliant grey-on-grey (low-visibility) version of the Slovak Air Force insignia. Mikoyan MiG-29 The Mikoyan MiG-29 ( Russian : Микоян МиГ-29 ; NATO reporting name : Fulcrum )

5772-574: Is believed the debris from the drone collided with the aircraft and forced the pilot to eject. Ukrainian sources claim that the pilot shot down five drones and two cruise missiles shortly before the crash. The downed MiG-29 was wearing a livery similar to that of the Ukrainian Falcons display team. According to the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation: "the jet collided with debris from a destroyed drone, which caused massive damage to it to

5928-436: Is not a very large indicator for a fighter of this class. In the MiG-23M, due to a much more powerful engine, the rate of climb increased to 222 m/s (43,700 ft/min), almost 50 m/s (10,000 ft/min) more. This figure is already consistent with the "status" of a powerful fighter aircraft. On the MiG-23ML, mainly due to weight reduction, the climb rate reached 242 m/s (47,600 ft/min), which corresponds to

6084-894: Is the home base for all helicopters of Slovak Air Force, which also includes a helicopter repair company. The air base operates 19 helicopters, 10 Mil Mi-17 and 9 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks . The 2nd Zvolen Air Force Brigade is the Air Force Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic based in Zvolen. The brigade is a part of the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System ( NATINADS ). In charge of protecting military objects, critical infrastructure and civilian objects. Anti-air defense systems it fields : Note: Five Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks are available through

6240-508: The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , Su-27s and MiG-29s were used as air superiority fighters, with ten MiG-29s reported lost on the ground and in the air. In August 2022, a senior U.S. defense official disclosed that the Ukrainians have integrated the AGM-88 HARM missile onto their "MiG aircraft" with video evidence of AGM-88 missiles fired by upgraded Ukrainian MiG-29s released by

6396-811: The Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) program based in Italy. Previous aircraft operated include the MiG-21 , MiG-29 , Sukhoi Su-22 , Sukhoi Su-25 , Aero L-29 , Antonov An-12 , Antonov An-24 , Antonov An-26 , Mil Mi-2 , and the Mil Mi-24 helicopter. The Air Force has several types of radars under its command, including 17 Israeli EL/M-2084 in various medium and short range variants. The Air Force also operates 5 long-range LÜR surveillance radars from Germany . The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . The Slovak aircraft marking

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6552-648: The Bulgarian Air Force ; and 11.3 losses per 100,000 flying hours in the Polish Air Force . By 1990, over 1,500 MiG-23s of different models were in service with the VVS and the V-PVO . With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the new Russian Air Force began to cut back its fighter force, and it was decided that the single-engine MiG-23s and MiG-27s were to be retired to operational storage. The last model to serve

6708-690: The Cold War , a Soviet response was necessary to avoid the possibility of the Americans gaining a serious technological advantage over the Soviets, thus the development of a new air superiority fighter became a priority. In 1969, the Soviet General Staff issued a requirement for a Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel ( PFI , roughly "Advanced Frontline Fighter"). Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including

6864-816: The E-3 Sentry . The early MiG-23M series was also used to test the American Northrop F-5s captured by the North Vietnamese and sent to the former USSR for evaluation. The Soviets acknowledged the F-5 was a very agile aircraft, and at some speeds and altitudes better than the MiG-23M, one of the main reasons the MiG-23MLD and MiG-29 developments were started. These tests allowed the Russians to make modifications to several of their fourth-generation aircraft. The MiG-23, however,

7020-500: The F-4 Phantom 's J-79 engine, the R-29 would generate smoke when operating without the afterburner. The engine outer cases ran very hot, which sometimes triggered false fire alarms. Moreover, the engine was good for only a couple of hundred sorties at most before requiring replacement. This was partly because Russian engines were designed to last about 150 hours before being replaced. It

7176-466: The Russian invasion . On September 6, 2023, Slovakia has started the acquisition of medium and short range air defence missile systems ( SHORAD /MRAD) with budget of 200 million Euros . The acquisition of these systems is part of first stage out of three stages. Among the medium-range systems, Slovakia has been choosing these systems Barak 8 , SPYDER , IRIS-T and MICA . From Short range systems Slovakia

7332-612: The Soviet origin MiG-29s operated by the Slovak Air Force were retired. An agreement with fellow NATO members Poland and the Czech Republic was signed in order to establish joint patrols of airspace, until the delivery of American F-16s to the Slovak Air Force in 2024. In August 2022 the decision was yet to be made whether the retired MiGs would be donated to Ukrainian Air Force as military aid. On 17 March 2023, after officially retiring

7488-671: The Soviet Union on the Eastern Front . While engaged on the Eastern Front, Slovakia's obsolete biplanes were replaced with German combat aircraft, including the Messerschmitt Bf 109 . The air force was sent back to Slovakia after combat fatigue and desertion had reduced the pilots' effectiveness. Slovak air units took part in the Slovak National Uprising against Germany from late August 1944. During this time Czechoslovakia

7644-588: The Soviet–Afghan War from 1987. Two MiG-23 were claimed shot down by Pakistani F-16s when crossing the border (they both were not confirmed ) while one F-16 was shot down on 29 April 1987. Western sources consider it a friendly fire incident but the Soviet-backed Afghan government of the time and Pakistan claimed that Soviet aircraft downed the Pakistani F-16 – a claim that The New York Times and

7800-637: The Sukhoi Su-57 , but a different design was needed to replace the lighter MiGs. A previous attempt to develop a MiG-29 replacement, the MiG 1.44 demonstrator, failed in the 1990s. The concept came up again in 2001 with interest from India, but they later opted for a variant of the Su-57. Air Force commanders have hinted at the possibility of a single-engine airframe that uses the Su-57's engine, radar, and weapons primarily for Russian service. This has since been revealed to be

7956-521: The Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate . Sharing its origins in the original PFI requirements issued by TsAGI , the MiG-29 has broad aerodynamic similarities to the Sukhoi Su-27 , but with some notable differences. The MiG-29 has a mid-mounted swept wing with blended leading-edge root extensions (LERXs) swept at around 40°; there are swept tailplanes and two vertical fins, mounted on booms outboard of

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8112-785: The Washington Post also reported. According to a Russian version of the event, the F-16 was shot down when Pakistani F-16s encountered Soviet MiG-23MLDs. Soviet MiG-23MLD pilots, while on a bombing raid along the Pakistani-Afghan border, reported being attacked by F-16s and then seeing one F-16 explode. It could have been downed by gunfire from a MiG whose pilot did not report the kill, because Soviet pilots were not allowed to attack Pakistani aircraft without permission. In 1988, Soviet MiG-23MLDs using R-23s (NATO: AA-7 "Apex") downed two Iranian AH-1J Cobras that had intruded into Afghan airspace. In

8268-401: The sound barrier , where it could out-accelerate any American fighter. The fighter's small profile gave it the advantage of being hard to spot visually as well. Overall, HAVE PAD testing determined that the MiG-23 - while a poor dogfighter - made for a good interceptor capable of performing hit-and-run attacks. Despite its limitations, in the hands of a very capable pilot the MiG-23 represented

8424-474: The " 23-01 ", also known as the MiG-23PD ( Podyomnye Dvigatyeli – lift jet), was a tailed delta of similar layout to the smaller MiG-21 but with two lift jets in the fuselage. This first flew on 3 April 1967, but it soon became apparent that this configuration was unsatisfactory, as the lift jets became useless dead weight once airborne. Work on the second strand of development was carried out in parallel by

8580-622: The 1980s and early 1990s, the Czechoslovak Air Force consisted of the 7th Air Army, which had air defense duties, and the 10th Air Army, responsible for ground forces support. The 7th Air Army had two air divisions and three fighter regiments, and the 10th Air Army had two air divisions and a total of six regiments of fighters and attack aircraft. There were also two reconnaissance regiments, two transport regiments, three training regiments, and two helicopter regiments. In November 1989 Communism fell across Czechoslovakia. The two parliaments of

8736-409: The 1980s, Mikoyan developed the improved MiG-29S to use longer range R-27E air-to-air missiles. It added a dorsal 'hump' to the upper fuselage to house a jamming system and some additional fuel capacity. The weapons load was increased to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) with airframe strengthening. These features were included in new-built fighters and upgrades to older MiG-29s. Refined versions of

8892-582: The Indian Navy on 19 February 2010. MiG-23 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 ( Russian : Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-23 ; NATO reporting name : Flogger ) is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft , designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is a third-generation jet fighter , alongside similar Soviet aircraft such as the Su-17 "Fitter" . It was the first Soviet fighter to field

9048-608: The KM-1 was that it was not a zero-zero ejection seat – it required a minimum speed of 90 knots . Starting with the MiG-23 Edition 1971, the MiG-23 replaced the head-down radar scope with an ASP-23D gunsight/ head-up display (HUD) onto which data from the radar was displayed. This was updated in the MiG-23MLA with the ASP-17ML gunsight/HUD. Because information from the radar had to fit on

9204-412: The MiG-23 in Afghanistan occurred in April 1982, when aircraft of the 152nd IAP escorted a large air raid against Rabat-e-Jali in Nimruz province. This developed into a disaster when the MiG-23s failed to provide adequate air cover and the strike force accidentally crossed into Iran, losing several helicopters to Iranian F-4 Phantoms. Soviet and Afghan MiG-23s and Pakistani F-16s clashed a few times during

9360-492: The MiG-23 light and agile enough to dogfight with enemy fighters. The armament carried by the MiG-23 changed as new models underwent development. The initial production variant, the MiG-23S, was fitted with the S-21 fire control system borrowed from the MiG-21S/SM. Based on the RP-22SM Sapfir-21 radar with an ASP-PFD-21 lead computing gunsight, it could carry only four R-3/K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll") air-to-air missiles (typically two SARH R-3Rs and two IR R-3Ss) in addition to

9516-460: The MiG-23's stability issues at high AoA and made take-off and landings more difficult. The definitive Edition 3 wing design, introduced with the MiG-23M, retained the dimensions of the Edition 2 but added back in the leading-edge slats. A strengthening of the wing pivot in the MiG-23MLD allowed the addition of a fourth wing sweep position of 33°, which was intended to reduce turn radius and allow for rapid deceleration during dogfights. However, with

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9672-459: The MiG-23, instead of trying to turn one way or the other with the enemy aircraft (as in a one-circle or two-circle fight), would speed on ahead until it could come back into the fight from a different angle. The MiG-23's deficits and qualities were also recognized by allied air forces which received the fighter from the Soviet Union, including the East German Air Force : I spent a lot of time in Berlin watching GCI tapes to verify we were flying

9828-458: The MiG-23ML could also carry two UPK-23-250 23 mm gun pods on the underwing pylons. Starting in 1981, the MiG-23MLA could carry the improved Vympel R-24R/T missiles. The final fighter variant, the MiG-23MLD, could also carry the improved R-24R/T missiles in addition to a pair of B8M1 20-round rocket pods firing S-8 rockets, the Kh-23 /Kh-23M air-to-surface missile, or a single RN-24 or RN-40 nuclear bomb. The MiG-23MLD's maximum bomb load

9984-454: The MiG-23ML has a instantaneous turn rate of 16.7 deg/s and a sustained of 14.1 deg/s at 1 km (3,300 ft) of altitude and at a speed of 490 kn (900 km/h); and at maximum 7g load factor. It will take to the MiG-23ML around 25 seconds to complete the horizontal turn. In general, with this sweep wing angle of 45 degrees are significantly inferior to the wing 16 degrees of wing swept. Maximum sustained turn rate near

10140-474: The MiG-23ML. Early models of the MiG-23 ran into problems with the plane's No. 2 fuel tank suffering structural failures, which were especially problematic as the tanks were integral to the structure rather than contained within a fuel bladder . This meant that as the structure developed hairline fractures fuel would seep out. This eventually forced severe g-force limits until a solution could be found. Prior to quality being improved in later models, one fix

10296-438: The MiG-23MLD that Soviet pilots began to use the MiG-23 as a true air-superiority fighter. By the 1980s, the MiG-23's accident rate in the VVS averaged 12.5 losses per 100,000 flying hours. This was often worse in the air forces of the Warsaw Pact allies: 24.3 major mishaps per 100,000 flying hours in the Hungarian Air Force ; 20.4 losses per 100,000 flying hours in the East German Air Force; 18 losses per 100,000 flying hours in

10452-446: The MiG-29 fighters from active service, the Slovak government approved sending 13 Mikoyan MiG-29 jet fighters to Ukraine and one MiG-29UBS to Military History Museum Piešťany . 9 MiG-29AS, 1 MiG-29UBS, 2 MiG-29A and 1 MiG-29UB were sent to Ukraine. 3 of those fighters were missing engines and were intended to serve as a source of spare parts. Ukrainian pilots flew four MiG-29 jet fighters from Slovakia to Ukraine on 23 March in 2023, with

10608-409: The MiG-29 package and 50 million EUR for the KUB package, both from the European Peace Facility fund. The US offered aid in the form of approximately 66% discount on a package including 12 unused AH-1Z, training, related equipment and 500 Hellfire II missiles. The total value of the package is estimated at 1 billion USD, with 660 million USD paid by the US FMF. Should Slovak government accept the offer,

10764-565: The MiG-29 with improved avionics were fielded by the Soviet Union, but Mikoyan's multirole variants, including a carrier-based version designated MiG-29K , were never produced in large numbers. Development of the MiG-29K carrier version was suspended for over a decade before being resumed; the type went into service with the Indian Navy 's INS Vikramaditya , and Russian Navy 's Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier . Mikoyan also developed improved versions MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT . There have been several upgrade programmes conducted for

10920-412: The MiG-29's ability to detect and track airborne targets at ranges available with the R-27 and R-77 missiles. The N019 was further compromised by Phazotron designer Adolf Tolkachev 's betrayal of the radar to the CIA , for which he was executed in 1986. In response to all of these problems, the Soviets hastily developed a modified N019M Topaz radar for the upgraded MiG-29S aircraft. However, VVS

11076-406: The MiG-29, outside of the Warsaw Pact . The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for 44 aircraft (40 single-seat MiG-29 9.12Bs and four twin-seat MiG-29UBs) in 1984, and the MiG-29 was officially inducted into the IAF in 1987. In 1989, an additional 26 aircraft were ordered, and 10 more advanced MiG-29 9.13s were bought in 1994. Since then, the aircraft has undergone a series of modifications with

11232-407: The MiG-29. Common upgrades include the adoption of standard-compatible avionics, service life extensions to 4,000 flight hours, safety enhancements, greater combat capabilities and reliability. On 11 December 2013, Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin revealed that Russia was planning to build a new fighter to replace the MiG-29. The Sukhoi Su-27 and its derivatives were to be replaced by

11388-601: The MiG-29s entered service with the newly formed Russian Air Force . In July 1993, two MiG-29s of the Russian Air Force collided in mid-air and crashed away from the public at the Royal International Air Tattoo . No one on the ground sustained any serious injuries, and the two pilots ejected and landed safely. The Russian Air Force grounded all its MiG-29s following a crash in Siberia on 17 October 2008. Following

11544-502: The Russian Aerospace Forces. Instead, the 35 MiG-29SMT/UBTs rejected by Algeria were bought by the Russian Aerospace Forces. Russia placed an order for 16 new-build MiG-29SMTs on 15 April 2014, with delivery expected by 2017. On 4 June 2015, a MiG-29 crashed during training in Astrakhan . A month later, another MiG-29 crashed near the village of Kushchevskaya in the Krasnodar region with

11700-497: The Slovak Air Force lost an Antonov An-24 in a crash . On September 20, 2011, all of the remaining Mil Mi-24 gunships were retired. In October 2014, the government approved the purchase of tactical transport aircraft Alenia C-27J Spartan . In January 2014, Slovakia started discussions with the Swedish Government regarding leasing or purchasing JAS-39 Gripen aircraft to replace their MiG-29 fighters. In April 2015,

11856-422: The Slovak government announced it would buy nine UH-60M utility helicopters to replace its fleet of Mi-17 helicopters. The deal worth US$ 261 million includes also full life-cycle support for the aircraft and training for aircrews and ground personnel. On December 12, 2018, Slovakia signed a contract to acquire 14 F-16V/Block 70 with additional equipment. All are to be delivered by 2025. The first completed jet

12012-519: The Soviet Union. On 4 February 2009, the Russian Air Force resumed flights with the MiG-29. However, in March 2009, 91 MiG-29s of the Russian Air Force required repair after inspections due to corrosion; approximately 100 MiGs were cleared to continue flying at the time. The Russian Aerospace Forces started an update of its early MiG-29s to the more current MiG-29SMT standard, but financial difficulties prevented delivery of more than three MiG-29 SMT upgrade to

12168-558: The Soviet fighter force was planned to be approximately 33% PFI and 67% LPFI. PFI and LPFI paralleled the USAF's decision that created the "Lightweight Fighter" program and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Northrop YF-17 . The PFI fighter was assigned to Sukhoi, resulting in the Sukhoi Su-27 , while the lightweight fighter went to Mikoyan. Detailed design work on the resultant Mikoyan Product 9 , designated MiG-29A , began in 1974, with

12324-505: The Ukrainian Air Force few days later. For a weapon that relies on digital display to fire, the question of how it has been integrated into the MiG-29's analogue displays remains unanswered. The footage shows a commercial GPS having been installed along with a tablet of some kind. On 13 October 2022, a Ukrainian MiG-29 crashed during a combat mission. Its pilot is claimed to have destroyed a Shahed-136 drone with his cannon, and it

12480-667: The West at that time. The Soviet Union did not assign official names to most of its aircraft, although nicknames were common. Unusually, some Soviet pilots found the MiG-29's NATO reporting name, " Fulcrum ", to be a flattering description of the aircraft's intended purpose, and it is sometimes unofficially used in Russian service. The MiG-29 was widely exported in downgraded versions, known as MiG-29 9-12A for Warsaw Pact and MiG-29 9-12B for non-Warsaw Pact nations, with less capable avionics and no capability for delivering nuclear weapons . In

12636-591: The ability to use austere runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed, and heavy armament. The Russian aerodynamics institute TsAGI worked in collaboration with the Sukhoi design bureau on the aircraft's aerodynamics. By 1971, however, Soviet studies determined the need for different types of fighters. The PFI program was supplemented with the Perspektivnyy Lyogkiy Frontovoy Istrebitel ( LPFI , or "Advanced Lightweight Tactical Fighter") program;

12792-534: The addition of new avionics, subsystems, turbofan engines and radars. Indian MiG-29s were used extensively during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir by the Indian Air Force to provide fighter escort for Mirage 2000s attacking targets with laser-guided bombs . The MiG-29's good operational record prompted India to sign a deal with Russia in 2005 and 2006 to upgrade all of its MiG-29s for US$ 888 million. Under

12948-399: The afterburner was used that could fall down to around 45 minutes or less. Introduced with the MiG-23M were plumbed pylons under the movable wing panels which could be fitted with 800-litre (210 US gal) drop tanks, though these could only be carried with the wings at full spread and had to be jettisoned otherwise, and a third 800-liter drop tank could be carried under the fuselage on

13104-411: The air force replaced the Soviet style aviation regiment organization with the western wing and squadron system. Around 2000–2002, Slovakia gradually retired many of the older aircraft, including the entire fleet of Su-22 , Su-25 , and MiG-21 . In 2004, the flight training academy and national aerobatic demonstration team Biele Albatrosy, both based at Košice, were disbanded. On January 19, 2006,

13260-412: The aircraft conducted flying displays at the 1989 Paris Air Show where it was involved in a non-fatal crash during the first weekend of the show. The Paris Air Show display was only the second display of Soviet fighters at an international air show since the 1930s. Western observers were impressed by its apparent capability and exceptional agility. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, most of

13416-423: The aircraft top speed of Mach 2.4. It also had a fast acceleration time, taking 3–4 seconds to go from idle to full power, and took less than a second to ignite the afterburner . The aircraft's placarded top speed was set by cockpit canopy structural strength. The engine intake had louvers which supplied the environmental control system with air to keep the avionics and pilot cool. Similar to early examples of

13572-433: The aircraft was theirs and says they did not have any pilots in the air that day. Abkhazia 's administration claimed its own forces shot down the drone with an L-39 aircraft "because it was violating Abkhaz airspace and breaching ceasefire agreements." UN investigation concluded that the video was authentic and that the drone was shot down by a Russian MiG-29 or Su-27 using an R-73 heat seeking missile. On 16 July 2014,

13728-626: The aircraft. As of 2024 Flight Global estimates that 809 MiG-29s, of all types, are in service with air forces, making it the 5th most common active fighter. In the mid-1960s, the United States Air Force (USAF) encountered difficulties over the skies of Vietnam. Supersonic fighter bombers that had been optimized for low altitude bombing, like the F-105 Thunderchief , were found to be vulnerable to older MiG-17s and more advanced MiGs which were much more maneuverable. In order to regain

13884-451: The base, all aircraft were relocated to 46th Wing. After the reconstruction of the base is completed, it will again host fighter and trainer jets such as F-16 Block 70/72 and Aero L-39 . The 46th Wing is at the moment only active air base of Slovak Air Force that is able to host fighter jets as well as subsonic aircraft . But is meant to be home for all transport aircraft as Alenia C-27J Spartan and Let L-410 Turbolet . The 51st Wing

14040-471: The best Slovak pilots in World War I . Much of Austria-Hungary's manufacturing companies were Czech, therefore Czechoslovakia could quickly develop an aircraft industry . As the industry developed it designed more aircraft and engines of its own. Czechoslovak aircraft builders included Aero , Avia , Beneš-Mráz , Letov , Praga , Tatra and Zlín . Engine makers included ČKD , Walter and Škoda . After

14196-449: The combining glass of the HUD, the amount of space that could be scanned was limited to a relatively thin slice. This required that the fighter be flown very close to the target's altitude and well ahead of it to be picked up, necessitating good ground-controlled interception (GCI) instructions. Israeli pilots who flew captured versions of the MiG-23 found it relatively easy to use. The MiG-23

14352-412: The computer architecture to accept NATO standard weapons. The interface would be difficult; however with a "crude modification", such as an e-tablet, it would be possible. While the MiG-29's true capabilities could only be estimated from the time it first appeared In 1977 until the mid-1980s, a combination of persistent intelligence and increasing access afforded by the Soviet foreign sales effort allowed

14508-541: The controls. The General Dynamics F-111 and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II were the main Western influences on the MiG-23. The Soviets, however, wanted a much lighter, single-engined fighter to maximize agility. Both the F-111 and the MiG-23 were designed as fighters, but the heavy weight and inherent stability of the F-111 turned it into a long-range interdictor and kept it out of the fighter role. The MiG-23's designers kept

14664-678: The deal, the Indian MiGs were modified to be capable of deploying the R-77 /RVV-AE (AA-12 'Adder') air-to-air missile. The missiles had been tested in October 1998 and were integrated into the IAF's MiG-29s. The IAF has also awarded the MiG Corporation another US$ 900 million contract to upgrade all of its 69 operational MiG-29s. These upgrades will include a new avionics kit, with the N019 radar being replaced by

14820-404: The different combat systems, with a limited number of losses and victories confirmed by both parties. The MiG-23 was first officially commissioned into the Soviet Air Forces (VVS) on 4 January 1974, but even before its mass introduction there had been many teething problems with the brand-new fighter. Stability issues and limited maneuverability resulted in numerous flight restrictions placed on

14976-515: The dissolution of the Soviet Union , the militaries of multiple ex-Soviet republics have continued to operate the MiG-29, the largest of them being the Russian Aerospace Forces . The Russian Aerospace Forces wanted to upgrade its existing fleet to the modernised MiG-29SMT configuration, but financial difficulties have limited deliveries. The MiG-29 has also been a popular export aircraft; more than 30 nations either operate or have operated

15132-562: The division of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany in 1939, Slovakia was left with a small air force composed primarily of Czechoslovak combat aircraft. This force defended Slovakia against Hungary in 1939, and took part in the invasion of Poland in support of Germany. During the World War II , the Slovak Air force was charged with the defense of Slovak airspace, and, after the invasion of Russia, provided air cover for Slovak forces fighting against

15288-407: The earlier MiG-23 and other Soviet aircraft for ease of conversion, rather than on ergonomics . Nonetheless, the MiG-29 does have substantially better visibility than most previous Soviet jet fighters, thanks to a high-mounted bubble canopy . Upgraded models introduce " glass cockpits " with modern liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and true HOTAS. The baseline MiG-29 9.12 has

15444-412: The engines generates lift , thereby reducing effective wing loading , hence improving maneuverability. The engines are fed through intake ramps fitted under the leading-edge extensions (LERXs), which have variable ramps to allow high- Mach speeds. Due to their relatively short combustor, the engines produce noticeably heavier smoke than their contemporaries. As an adaptation to rough-field operations,

15600-529: The engines. Automatic slats are mounted on the leading edges of the wings; they are four-segment on early models and five-segment on some later variants. On the trailing edge , there are maneuvering flaps and wingtip ailerons . The MiG-29 has hydraulic controls and a SAU-451 three-axis autopilot but, unlike the Su-27, no fly-by-wire control system. Nonetheless, it is very agile, with excellent instantaneous and sustained turn performance, high-alpha capability, and

15756-470: The fighter as efforts to rectify these concerns began in the mid-1970s. Despite numerous updates, these restrictions would only be partially lifted with the introduction of the MiG-23MLD. Still, the large number of MiG-23s deployed in Central Europe represented a sufficiently potent threat in a possible war with the West. Although many MiG-23 pilots were disappointed to discover their fighter would lose in

15912-568: The first flight taking place on 6 October 1977. The pre-production aircraft was first spotted by United States reconnaissance satellites in November of that year; it was dubbed Ram-L because it was observed at the Zhukovsky flight test center near the town of Ramenskoye . The workload split between TPFI and LPFI became more apparent as the MiG-29 filtered into front line service with the Soviet Air Forces (Russian: Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily [VVS]) in

16068-514: The fuselage also functioned as the aircraft's carry-through wingbox and was welded together with thick plates of VNS-2 steel alloy. The MiG-23 Edition 1971 redesign allowed for a fourth tank carrying 470 litres (120 US gal) to be fitted in the rear of the fuselage. This fuel capacity gave the MiG-23 better endurance than a "clean" F-4 (carrying no drop tanks ); if traveling at the MiG-23's endurance speed of 230  knots an individual sortie could be stretched out to an hour, though if

16224-639: The fuselage and one in each wing. The internal fuel capacity of the MiG-29 (Fulcrum-C) is 4,540 L (1,000 imp gal; 1,200 US gal) due to a larger #1 fuselage tank. For longer flights, this can be supplemented by a 1,500 L (330 imp gal; 400 US gal) centreline drop tank on the Fulcrum-A and two 1,150 L (250 imp gal; 300 US gal) underwing drop tanks on later production batches. In addition, newer models have been fitted with port-side inflight refueling probes, allowing much longer flight times by using

16380-517: The ground, it could more easily suck debris into its engine intakes. In general the MiG-23 was unpopular with the American pilots because it was so dangerous to fly. Among the nicknames the Constant Peg pilots had for the MiG-23 was the "Looping Hog" because it flew like a pig and one of the few basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) it could pull off in a dogfight was a massive loop . If going fast enough,

16536-478: The ground. Starting with the Edition 1971 model, the MiG-23's wings (known as Edition 2) had their surface area increased by 20%, necessitating the positions be changed to 18°, 47° 40', and 74° 40' (though for convenience the cockpit indicators and manuals retained the original labeling). A dogtooth extension was added but the leading-edge slats were removed to simplify manufacturing. However this proved to exacerbate

16692-426: The ground: 13.35 g/s for MiG-23 model 71, 14.5 g/s for MiG-23M and 15.4 g/s for MiG-23ML. The maximum climb rate for the MiG-23 variant 1971 and the MiG-23M, especially at low altitudes shows a big difference gap. The difference between the MiG-23M and MiG-23ML is much smaller, but also noticeable. The maximum calculated climb rate on the MiG-23 sub variant 1971 is 174 m/s (34,300 ft/min), which

16848-447: The horizontal, and had superior BVR capability. The Soviet combat manual for MiG-23M pilots claims the MiG-23M to have a slight superiority over the F-4 and Kfir , and describes combat history involving Syrian MiG-23MFs versus Israeli F-15 and F-16s, which it labels "successful". This manual also recommends tactics to be used against these fighters. According to the MiG-23ML technical manual,

17004-474: The issue", Antony said. Despite concerns of Russia's grounding, India sent the first six of its 78 MiG-29s to Russia for upgrades in 2008. The upgrade program will fit the MiGs with a phased array radar (PESA) and inflight refuelling capability. In January 2010, India and Russia signed a US$ 1.2 billion deal under which the Indian Navy would acquire 29 additional MiG-29Ks, bringing the total number of MiG-29Ks on order to 45. The MiG-29K entered service with

17160-426: The kind of situational awareness routinely enjoyed by pilots operating comparable US aircraft. Analysts and Western pilots who flew examples of the MiG-29 thought this likely prevented even very good pilots from harnessing the plane's full combat capability. Later MiG-29s were upgraded to improve their capabilities. The Soviet Union exported MiG-29s to several countries. Because 4th-generation fighter aircraft require

17316-399: The latter case working in conjunction with wing control surfaces when the wings were not fully swept back. In addition to a large vertical stabilizer (which also stored the brake parachute for landings), the MiG-23 had a ventral fin to improve directional stability at high speeds. During take-off and landing, the fin hinged sideways when the landing gear was extended to prevent it striking

17472-454: The limited air superiority enjoyed over Vietnam, the US refocused on air combat using the F-4 Phantom multirole fighter, while the Soviet Union developed the MiG-23 in response. Towards the end of the 1960s, the USAF started the "F-X" program to produce a fighter dedicated to air superiority, which led to the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle being ordered for production in late 1969. At the height of

17628-630: The limited number of jet fighters available, a MiG-29 belonging to the Ukrainian Falcons display team was spotted armed with a full air-to-air load and performing a low altitude fly by. In the evening of 7 August 2014, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29MU1, bort number 02 Blue, was shot down by an antiaircraft missile fired by pro-Russian rebels near the town of Yenakievo, and exploded in midair. The pilot ejected safely. On 17 August 2014, another Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29, bort number 53 White, tasked with air to ground duties against separatists' positions

17784-500: The main air inlet can be closed completely and the auxiliary air inlet on the upper fuselage can be used for takeoff, landing and low-altitude flying, preventing ingestion of ground debris . Thereby the engines receive air through louvers on the LERXs which open automatically when intakes are closed. However the latest variant of the family, the MiG-35 , eliminated these dorsal louvers, and adopted

17940-411: The mesh screens design in the main intakes, similar to those fitted to the Su-27. The MiG-29 has a ferry range of 1,500 km (930 mi) without external fuel tanks, and 2,100 km (1,300 mi) with external tanks. The internal fuel capacity of the original MiG-29 (Fulcrum-A) is 4,300 L (950 imp gal; 1,100 US gal) distributed between six internal fuel tanks , four in

18096-468: The mid-1980s. While the heavy, long range Su-27 was tasked with the more exotic and dangerous role of deep air-to-air sweeps of NATO high-value assets, the smaller MiG-29 directly replaced the MiG-23 in the frontal aviation role. In the West, the new fighter was given the NATO reporting name "Fulcrum-A" because the pre-production MiG-29A, which should have logically received this designation, remained unknown in

18252-655: The most powerful aircraft of the 2-3rd generation, as well as some 4th generation fighters. Western and Russian aviation historians usually differ in respect to combat record for their military vehicles and doctrines part due to the bias in favor of their respective national industries and academies. They also usually accept claims going along with their respective political views since usually many conflicting and contradictory reports are written and accepted by their respective historians. Before recent years, with widespread use of hand-portable cameras, little pictorial evidence could be published about specific losses and victories of

18408-458: The new BVR R-23 (AA-7 "Apex") missile, although only the R-23R SARH variant. However, the Sapfir-23L was considered unreliable and lacked look-down/shoot-down capability. The MiG-23M, the definitive first-generation variant of the fighter, was equipped with the improved Sapfir-23D look-down/shoot-down radar and could carry a pair of R-23 missiles (either the R-23R SARH or R-23T IR variants) and

18564-533: The older R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid"). A single 1,500 L (330 imp gal; 400 US gal) tank can be fitted to the centerline, between the engines. The US has supplied AGM-88 HARM missiles to Ukraine. It appears that they are fired from MiG-29s. It was only disclosed after Russian forces showed footage of a tail fin from one of these missiles. U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl has said this: "I would just point to two things. One, you know,

18720-431: The pilot safely ejecting. A series of accidents in the Russian Aerospace Forces that happened in 2015 were caused mostly by overall increase of flights and training. On 20 April 2008, Georgian officials claimed a Russian MiG-29 shot down a Georgian Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle and provided video footage from the ill-fated drone showing an apparent MiG-29 launching an air-to-air missile at it. Russia denies that

18876-459: The pilot, the cockpit was fitted with a mirror or 'periscope' embedded in the middle rail of the canopy, similar to the one on the MiG-17 . With an infinity focus , the periscope provided a clear view of behind the plane, but did not have a wide field of view. The MiG-23's ejection seat , the KM-1, was built with extreme altitude and speed in mind: leg stirrups, shoulder harness, pelvic D-ring , and

19032-622: The pilots to have extensive training, air-defense infrastructure, and constant maintenance and upgrades, MiG-29s have had mixed operational history with different air forces. The MiG-29 was first publicly seen in the West when the Soviet Union displayed the aircraft in Finland on 2 July 1986. Two MiG-29s were also displayed at the Farnborough Airshow in Britain in September 1988. The following year,

19188-686: The planes appeared to be in inoperable condition. In May, Russian troops dismantled them and shipped them back to Ukraine. On 4 August 2014, the Ukrainian government stated that a number of them had been put back into service to fight in the war in the east of the country. During the initial days of the war in Donbas in April 2014, the Ukrainian Air Force deployed some jet fighters over the Donetsk region to perform combat air patrols and show of force flights. Probably due to

19344-465: The point where it crashed near a village in northeast Vinnytsia. The pilot managed to eject and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital." On 20 September 2023, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 was struck by a ZALA Lancet drone at the Dolgintsevo air base near Kryvyi Rih . A second drone was used as a spotter, recording the first Lancet's impact. India was the first international customer of

19500-509: The remaining 63 MiGs will be upgraded at the HAL facility in India. India also awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to Israel Aircraft Industries to provide avionics and subsystems for the upgrade. In March 2009, the Indian Air Force expressed concern after 90 MiG-29s were grounded in Russia. After carrying out an extensive inspection, the IAF cleared all MiG-29s in its fleet as safe in March 2009. In

19656-429: The remaining 9 sent at a later date. The military aid included 2 KUB missile launchers, radar, spare parts, 52 pieces of 3M9ME missiles and 148 pieces of 3M9ME missiles. After Slovakia gifted its S-300 missile system . Germany and Netherlands and United States deployed its MIM-104 Patriot systems to cover countries air defense needs. As a compensation for the aid provided, Slovakia received 200 million EUR for

19812-450: The remaining value of the package, in the amount of 340 million USD, is to be paid by the Slovak government in 3–4 years. The total value of the compensation from both the EU and US is approximately 900 million USD per statement from Ministry of Defence of Slovak Republic. The AH-1Z offer is also provided as a compensation in the context of the delays to Slovak F-16C/D delivery. The Slovak government

19968-415: The required timeframe and still fit within the MiG-29's nose. Rather than design a new radar, Phazotron reverted to a version of the Sapfir-23ML's twisted-polarization cassegrain antenna and traditional analog signal processors, coupled with a new NII Argon-designed Ts100 digital computer to save time and cost. This produced a working radar system, but inherited the weak points of the earlier design, plaguing

20124-558: The right tactics, and it became clear to me that the East Germans knew exactly what the MiG-23's limitations were. They knew that since it was unmaneuverable, they had to attack from many different directions as fast as possible. It was sophisticated, and they were going to overwhelm us if we ever went up against them. I sat down with some analysts and linguists and listened to what the pilots were saying to their GCI controllers and I actually started to respect them for what they were doing with

20280-517: The same corner as you. One of the MiG-23s would retreat while the other guy would come in behind you. In the training environment the Blue Air pilots would do their intercepts at 350 to 400 knots , so when they all of a sudden get this Flogger coming at Mach 1.5, it really changes the geometry of things. It blows your mind because you are not used to seeing that kind of speed. The MiG-23's speed in particular

20436-495: The spoilers, the wings were fitted with trailing edge flaps and leading edge slats to try to give the fighter a short take-off and landing performance. Although there was a gauge in the cockpit showing the position of the wings, when they were in motion, and the Mach limit for each position, there was none to indicate what was the optimum wing position for the prevailing flight condition. Two tailerons controlled pitch and roll, in

20592-536: The turbine causing turbine blades to break off, destroying the engine. Introduction of the R-29B-300 addressed this design deficiency. The prototype version of the MiG-23 carried three fuel tanks in the fuselage, with capacities of 1,920, 820 and 710 litres (510, 220 and 190 US gal) respectively. Additionally, each wing carried three integral fuel tanks of 62.5, 137.5 and 200 litres (16.5, 36.3 and 52.8 US gal). The No. 2 fuel tank in

20748-488: The two new states from 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia , decided how to split the assets of the former air force. The assets were divided 2:1 in the Czechs' favor, and thus the Slovak Air Force was (re)formed. However the 20 MiG 29s were shared equally between the two countries. After the formal dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, Czech and Slovak aircraft were divided according to each nation's population, in

20904-411: The wings at mid-spread of 45° was used for basic fighter maneuvering, as well as cruising at high speeds or making low-altitude intercepts. Moving the wings to fully swept at 72° was reserved for making high-altitude intercepts or high-speed dashes at low altitudes. The wings were not fitted with ailerons but used spoilers to control rolling when the wings were at 16° and 45° angles. In addition to

21060-401: The wings at the 33° position, the MiG-23MLD was much more difficult to handle and suffered from poor acceleration. Moving the wings to this position was primarily reserved for experienced MiG-23 pilots, while combat manuals continued to emphasize the 45° position. The MiG-23's original engine was a 122 kN (12,500 kgf; 27,500 lbf) thrust Tumansky R-29 -300 with thrust to spare at

21216-457: Was 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), with a standard loadout comprising four FAB-500 500 kg (1,100 lb) general-purpose bombs (GP) or ZAB-500 napalm bombs. Other configurations included sixteen FAB-100 100 kg (220 lb) GP bombs carried on four ejector racks, four FAB-250 250 kg (550 lb) GP bombs, or two RBK-500 cluster bombs . The MiG-23 cockpit was considered an improvement over previous Soviet fighters as it

21372-520: Was a member of the Eastern Bloc , allied with the Soviet Union , and from 1955 a member of the Warsaw Pact . Because of this, the Czechoslovak Air Force used Soviet aircraft, doctrines, and tactics. The types of aircraft were mostly MiGs . MiG-15 , MiG-19 , and MiG-21 F fighters was produced in license; in the 1970s, MiG-23 MF were bought, accompanied by MiG-23 ML and MiG-29s in the 1980s. During

21528-437: Was also a way to generate income from export customers by selling them new engines in exchange for hard currency . Changing an engine was difficult because the aircraft had to be separated in the middle. The engine was also a weak point on early models of the MiG-23 as it was not stressed for high yaw manoeuvre loads. If the fighter entered a spin , the engine shaft could bend. Compressor blades would rub sending debris into

21684-401: Was also to be improved over the MiG-21. Manoeuvrability was not an urgent requirement. This led Mikoyan to consider two options: lift jets , to provide an additional lift component; and variable-geometry wings , which had been developed by TsAGI for both "clean-sheet" aircraft designs and adaptations of existing designs. The first option, for an aircraft fitted with lift jets, resulted in

21840-407: Was among the first Soviet aircraft to feature variable-geometry wings . These were hydraulically controlled by means of a small lever set beneath the throttle in the cockpit. There were three main sweep angles that were set by the pilot for different levels of flying. The first, with the wings fully spread at 16°, was used when cruising at or below Mach 0.7 or when taking off and landing. Putting

21996-507: Was choosing between Piorun , RBS 70 , Mistral 3 and KP-SAM Chiron . The systems have not yet been purchased, but negotiations with governments about the acquisition have already begun. On February 7, 2024 Slovakia is comparing NASAMS , IRIS-T , KM-SAM with the winners of the past tender Barak 8 . On January 29, 2024, Slovakia started negotiations with the United States about the possible purchase of MIM-104 Patriot . Slovakia wanted

22152-499: Was comparable to an original F-4E Phantom , newer American fighters like the F-15 Eagle or F-4E upgraded with slats could easily out-turn the MiG-23 in a dogfight. In fact, whenever the MiG-23 approached high angle of attack it became very unstable and liable to depart controlled flight . Conversely, the MiG-23's acceleration capability was tremendous, particularly at low altitudes (below 10,000 ft or 3,000 m) and crossing

22308-683: Was delivered to the Ukrainian Air Force in July 2020. In August 2020, Ukraine began negotiations with Elbit Systems to help modernize the MiG-29 fleet. On 29 May 2020, Ukrainian MiG-29s took part in the Bomber Task Force in Europe with American B-1B bombers for the first time in the Black Sea region. In September 2020, B-52 bombers from the 5th Bomb Wing conducted vital integration training with Ukrainian MiG-29s and Su-27s inside Ukraine's airspace. During

22464-512: Was deployed to take part in the Syrian Air War. The MiG-29SMT were involved in bombing missions and secondary strategic bombers escort duties. Two Russian MiG-29s operated by Wagner Group crashed near Sirte , Libya on 28 June 2020 and on 7 September 2020. In April 2014, during the Russian invasion of Crimea , 45 Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29s and 4 L-39 combat trainers were reportedly captured by Russian forces at Belbek air base . Most of

22620-568: Was expected to make a decision on the AH-1Z offer early into the year 2024. The signing of the deal was threatened due to the change in government after the elections. Chief of the general staff of the Slovak armed forces gen. Daniel Zmeko was critical of the Slovak MiG-29 jet fighters in the last years. Problems with spare parts and maintenance, which was outsourced to Russia and resulted in 4 air frames being airworthy on average, while still plagued by

22776-527: Was launched. While police couldn't prove Russia did it on purpose, the findings were enough for the Slovak army to loose their trust in the Russian maintenance crews. The deal with Russia for servicing the jet fighters resulted in a cost of 70 000 EUR per flight hour, higher than the cost of the state of the art 5th generation F-35 Lightning II jet fighter. The 81st Wing Air Base should function as standard base for all fighter aircraft as well as trainer aircraft of Slovak Air Force. But because of reconstruction of

22932-422: Was more ergonomic in its layout. However the pilot still had a high workload, having to manipulate switches and monitor gauges, compared to more modern aircraft with HOTAS controls. The instrument panel featured a white stripe to serve as a visual aid for centering the control column during an out-of-control situation. To prevent the pilot from exceeding a 17° angle of attack , the control column incorporated

23088-502: Was not designed to combat F-5s, a weakness reflected by early MiG-23 variants. Dutch pilot Leon van Maurer, who had more than 1,200 hours flying F-16s, flew against MiG-23MLs from air bases in Germany and the U.S. as part of NATO's aerial mock combat training with Soviet equipment. He concluded the MiG-23ML was superior in the vertical to early F-16 variants, just slightly inferior to the F-16A in

23244-516: Was reportedly still not satisfied with the performance of the system and demanded another upgrade. The latest upgraded aircraft, MiG-29M, offered the N010 Zhuk-M , which has a planar array antenna rather than a dish, improving range, and a much superior processing ability, with multiple-target engagement capability and compatibility with the Vympel R-77 (or RVV-AE). Armament for the MiG-29 includes

23400-601: Was shot down by pro-Russian rebels in the Luhansk region. The Ukrainian government confirmed the downing. The pilot ejected safely and was recovered by friendly forces. As of 2018, the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant began domestically upgrading the MiG-29 to have multirole capability, known as the MiG-29MU2. Development was expected to be completed by 2019 and enter production in 2020. The first upgraded MiG-29

23556-452: Was supposed to help rotate the seat into the windblast and stabilize into a flight path that would take it above and behind the vertical stabilizer . As the first chute and rod separated from the seat, a larger drogue parachute deployed to slow down the seat, allowing the deployment of the main parachute. If engaged at low altitudes, the seat included a barometric element that allowed the drogue chute to separate more quickly. One deficiency of

23712-632: Was the MiG-23P air-defense variant: it was retired on 1 May 1998. When East and West Germany unified, no MiG-23s were transferred to the German Air Force , but twelve former East German MiG-23s were supplied to the United States. When Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Czechs received all the MiG-23s, which were retired in 1998. Hungary retired its MiG-23s in 1996, Poland in 1999, Romania in 2000, and Bulgaria in 2004. The MiG-23

23868-479: Was the Soviet Air Force's " Top Gun "-equivalent aggressor aircraft from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. It proved a difficult opponent for early MiG-29 variants flown by inexperienced pilots. Exercises showed when well-flown, a MiG-23MLD could achieve favorable kill ratios against the MiG-29 in mock combat by using hit-and-run tactics and not engaging the MiG-29s in dogfights. Usually the aggressor MiG-23MLDs had

24024-598: Was to weld a plate on the inside surface and a stiffener on the outer skin. Most potential enemies of the USSR and its client states have had opportunities to evaluate the MiG-23's performance. In the summer of 1977, after a political realignment by its government, Egypt provided a number of MiG-23MSs and MiG-23BNs to the United States; these were evaluated under a pair of exploitation programs codenamed HAVE PAD and HAVE BOXER respectively. These and other MiGs, including additional MiG-23s acquired from other sources, were used as part of

24180-468: Was unveiled by the manufacturer on 7 September 2023, and first two aircraft were delivered to Slovakia on 22 July 2024. On April 13, 2022, Slovakia was negotiating with Bayraktar about the procurement of Bayraktar TB2 . The negotiations been never formally ended. On October 13, 2022, Slovakia joined European Sky Shield Initiative . To strengthen future air defense procurement. In 2022, Slovakia has donated its S-300 missile system to Ukraine to aid in

24336-579: Was used as a teaching aid for a couple of situations during a potential war with the Soviet Union. The first was at low altitudes to demonstrate its ability to run down any NATO or American strike aircraft (barring the late-model F-111F Aardvark ), which would be attempting to go low and fast to penetrate Soviet territory. The second was to simulate the MiG-25 Foxbat , a high, fast flyer which would be going after high-value targets such as aerial refueling or airborne early warning and control aircraft like

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