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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 2553.PDF
of Flogger, was expected to be completed by the end ofl985. The aircraft are distinguished by a small infrared sensor under the nose. The Foxbat E also has 137-3kN uprated Tumansky R-31 turbojets. First identified in 1986, the Foxbat E is a dedicated defence-suppression aircraft armed with AS-11 anti-radiation missiles. The MiG-25 was first displayed in 1967, although a prototype, designated E-266, set a closed-circuit speed record in April 1965. The Foxbat A interceptor was followed by a MiG-25R Foxbat B reconnaissance version, a MiG-25U Foxbat C two-seat trainer, and Foxbat D, which was another reconnaissance model. A developed version of the Foxbat, the two-seat MiG-31 Foxhound, has a true lookdown/ shootdown capability and improved low-level performance, but maximum level speed at altitude is reduced to Mach 2-4 compared with the MiG-25's Mach 3-2. Foxhound was operational by mid-1985, and production continues. Customers: MiG-25 Algeria 36, India 10, Iraq 20+, Libya 55, Syria 40+, USSR 600+. MiG-31 USSR 160+. MiG-29 The MiG-29 Fulcrum A single-seat, twin- . engined air superiority fighter was first deployed early in 1985, and more than 500 were operational by early 1988. Fulcrum's design emphasises manoeuvrability, with a large, moderately swept wing and highly swept leading-edge strakes blend ing into the forward fuselage. The underslung wedge intakes are closed off on the ground to prevent foreign-object ingestion, the engines receiving air through slots in the upper edges of the leading-edge strakes. Fly-by-wire controls, a glass cockpit, and greater use of composite materials are planned MiG-29 improvements. A two-seat opera tional trainer, Fulcrum B, is also in service. Fulcrum appears larger than the F-18, resem bling a scaled-down F-15. The aircraft is assessed by the Pentagon as having true lookdown/shoot- down capability, with a pulse-Doppler radar and up to six AA-10 medium-range AAMs. A single six- barrel 30mm gun is mounted in the port strake, and an infrared sensor is located at the base of the wraparound forward section of the canopy. A 17-tonne-class aircraft with a 12m wing span, the MiG-29 is powered by two 120kN Tumansky R-33D turbofans. Estimated performance includes a Mach 2-2 maximum speed at altitude, and combat radius of 1,150km. The Warsaw Pact allies were not the first export customers for the Fulcrum. India, Iraq, and Syria all took delivery of full Soviet standard MiG-29s during 1987, while the first Jugoslav Air Force squadron was operational by mid-May 1988. Customers: East Germany 12+, India 44, Iraq 25+, Jugoslavia 16+, North Korea 30+, Syria 80, USSR 500+. '.- 1 MIL Mi-8/17 Combining the airframe of the Mi-8 Hip with the powerplant of the Mi-14 Haze, the Mi-17 Hip H is in Soviet service as an armed assault/ utility helicopter. Revealed in 1981, the hot-and- high Mi-17 has the tail rotor relocated on the port side of the fin. Some Mi-8s are being retrofitted to Mi-17 standard. The original single-engined Mi-8 Hip A proto type flew in 1961, followed in September 1962 by the initial Hip B twin-turbine version. More than 10,000 Hips have been built in several models, and production of both the Mir8 and Mi-17 continues. Hip C is the basic 24-seat troop transport, which can be armed with up to four 57mm rocket pods. Hip D is a communications relay derivative. Hip E is the heavily armed attack variant, fitted with six outrigger stations for up to 1,500kg of rockets and AT-2 Swatter anti-tank missiles. Hip F is the export version of the Hip E, with six AT-3 Sagger missiles, while Hip G is another communications relay model. Hip J and K are electronic warfare deriva tives, used principally to jam communications. Customers: Afghanistan 36+, Algeria 12, Angola 20+, Bangladesh 7, Bulgaria 24+, Cuba 46, Czech oslovakia 60+, Egypt 110, Ethiopia 30+, Finland 10, Guinea-Bissau 1+, Guyana 3, Hungary 30+, India 80, Iraq 110+, Jugoslavia 42, Kampuchea 2, Laos 10+, Libya 12, Madagascar 6, Mali 1, Mongolia 6+, Mozambique 10+, Nicaragua 24, North Korea 20+, North Yemen 12, Pakistan 12, Peru 58, Poland 35+, Romania 20+, Somalia 4, South Yemen 15, Sudan 14, Syria 70+, Uganda 8, USSR 3,600+, Vietnam 60+, Zambia 7. Mi-14 Production of the Mi-14 Haze amphibious antisubmarine derivative of the Mi-8 continues. The Mi-14 has a retractable landing gear and a boat hull, and is powered by two uprated, l,420kW Isotov TV3-117 turboshafts for single-engine over- water safety. Three versions have been identified: Haze A, the ASW variant with undernose search radar, towed MAD, and an internal weapons bay; and the Haze B mine-countermeasures variant. A special ised SAR version, the Haze C, is also in service with ..Soviet and Polish air arms. Customers: Bulgaria 10, Cuba 4, East Germany 8+, Ethiopia 2, Libya 6, Poland 15, Romania 6, Syria 12, USSR 110+. Mi-24 According to US figures, more than 2,300 Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunships have been built. Production continues, but began to slow down during 1987. The latest versions identified by NATO are the anti-tank Hind E, armed with AT-6 Spiral missiles, and a version of the Hind E without the 12 •7mm Gatling-type gun in the nose, but with a twin-barrel cannon pod attached to the fuselage side. The latter has been named Hind F by NATO. Hinds have also been reported carrying air-to-air missiles, and a specialised radiation sampling variant, the Hind G, has also been noted in service. Derived from the Mi-8 Hip, the Mi-24 was in operational service by 1974. Two basic versions exist: the Hind A/B/C assault helicopter has a three- man crew under an extensive glasshouse canopy, while the anti-tank Hind D/E/F has a two-man crew under separate armoured glass canopies in a steel-plated forward fuselage. Both versions have stub wings to carry up to 1,500kg of stores, and eight combat-equipped troops can be carried in the fuselage. Some export variants of the Mi-24 are designated Mi-25, indicating a different equipment standard. Customers: Afghanistan 40+, Algeria 24+, Angola 30+, Bulgaria 12+, Cuba 12, Czechoslovakia 20+, East Germany 30+, Ethiopia 12, Hungary 12+, India 12, Iraq 40+, Kampuchea 6+, Libya 35+, Mozambique 7+, Nicaragua 12+, North Korea 40+, Peru 12, Poland 30+, South Yemen 15, Syria 36, USSR 1,850+, Vietnam,30+. Mi-26 The world's largest helicopter, the Mi-26 Halo appeared in military service in 1983, and was fully operational by 1985. More than 50 are now in service, according to US estimates. The twin-turbine Halo has an eight-blade main rotor, is able to lift a 20-tonne payload, and has a fuselage similar in size to that of a C-130 Hercules, with loading through rear clamshell doors. The Mi-26 first flew in 1977. India is the only export customer to date, with two orders, for ten and four respectively. Deliveries began in 1986. -. Customers: India 14, USSR 50+. Mi-28 Three prototypes of the Mi-28 tandem-seat attack helicopter, NATO codename Havoc, are in the final stages of development flight testing, which is 90 per cent complete. First flight of the Havoc tookplacd on November 10, 1982, and production is expected to start before the end of 1991. Various additional trials are planned, including fly-by-wire tests and validation of a night-attack avionics suite. Twin Isotov TV3-117 turboshafts, mounted on the fuselage sides below the main rotor, power the Mi-28. MTOW is 11,500kg, some 2,000kg heavier than the AH-64A Apache. A weapons systems operator sits in the front seat, while the pilot occupies the rear. Both crew members are protec ted by titanium/steel armour plating. Although some composite materials are used around the cockpit and tail areas, the helicopter is predomi nantly of conventional aluminium construction. Weapons are carried on lift-producing stub wings, and include AT-6 Spiral anti-tank missiles and unguided rocket pods. Guidance for the AT-6s is provided by a radar housed in a thimble fairing in the nose. A 30mm cannon is positioned under the front fuselage on a flexible centreline mounting. Optical daytime sighting equipment and a rang ing laser are carried in an undernose turret. Provision for forward-looking infrared and low- light television has been made, but these systems are believed to be at an earlier stage of testing than the helicopter itself, and may not be fitted to early series production aircraft. An autonomous pilot's night-vision system will also be installed in later production helicopters. The main rotor is based on that of the Mi-24 Hind, but has five glass- reinforced-plastic blades of advanced design. Mi-38 Revealed in June 1989, the Mi-38 is a new assault helicopter designed to replace both the Mi-8 and Mi-17 from 1996. A mockup has been constructed, and the Mi-38 is the current priority programme within the Mil design bureau. Two Isotov TV7 turboshafts, each of some 2,400kW, will drive a new, composite six-blade main rotor of 21m diameter. Cruise speed will be approximately 270km/h, and a 4,200kg payload will be carried over 600km. The Mi-38 will feature a low-drag fuselage and will have a retractable landing gear. Naval ASW/ASV versions may be developed later. SUKHOI Su-24 Libya became the first export customer for the variable-geometry Su-24 Fencer interdictor/ strike aircraft earlier in 1989, when the first six of an eventual batch of 15 were delivered. Syria is also reported to be close to acquiring the Fencer. There are now some 860 Su-24 Fencers in Soviet service, and production continues. The aircraft, which has low-level, all-weather, terrain-following capabili ties, equips Soviet strategic, tactical, and naval air forces. The Fencer entered service in 1974. Five versions have been identified, the latest in 1983. Fencer B differs from Fencer A in having a brake parachute bullet fairing at the base of the fin. Fencer C, introduced in 1981, has this feature as well as radar homing and warning receiver anten nae on the fin and intakes. Fencer D has detail differences, including an under-fuselage recon naissance sensor, while the Fencer E electronic warfare aircraft is still under development. Customer: Libya 15, USSR 860+. Su-25 The Su-25 Frogfoot subsonic ground-attack aircraft entered service with the Czech Air Force in 1984, having become fully operational in the Soviet Union in 1981. A two-seat variant, the Su-25UB, is also in service. Frogfoot is smaller than its US counterpart, the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is powered by two u'nreheated (R-195) versions of the MiG-21's "Jumansky R-13 turbojet, has a maximum take-off Weight of around 19,500kg (some 3,000kg lighter than the A-10), and carries 4,500kg of stores on ten underwing pylons. The inner pair are plumbed for external tanks, while the outer pair are for Atoll or Aphid air-to-air missiles. Armament includes an internal 30mm cannon, and equipment fitted FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 19 August 1989 59
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