Douglas Barrie/LONDON

MIKOYAN HAS SHOWN in the West for the first time an upgraded variant of its MiG-29 Fulcrum capable of simultaneously engaging two targets with the Vympel R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active air-to-air missile.

A MiG-29SM capable of two-target engagement was on static display at the Paris air show, fitted with mock-ups of the R-77. Mikoyan claims that it has been working on such an upgrade programme for several years, but this is the first time such an aircraft has been shown.

The Fulcrum's standard radar-control panel on the lower left-hand side of the cockpit has been modified, to allow engagement of multiple targets with the R-77.

Compared with the standard panel, the radar control-modes dial has been moved to make room for a toggle switch marked SNP2, translated as track-while-scan, and SNP1, which gives the pilot the option of single- or two-target engagement. Previously, the Fulcrum has been capable only of single-target engagement.

The two-target engagement capability is also associated with a radar upgrade developed for Phazotron's NO19A cassegrain radar. The so-called Topaz, also known as the NO19ME, may have gone into limited service with the Russian air force.

The MiG-29SM is also capable of carrying television-guided bombs and TV-guided stand off missiles, such as the Raduga Kh-29 (AS-14 Kedge).

The modified radar control- panel is also likely to find its way onto the MiG-29 Fulcrums now being supplied to the Malaysian air force.

Russian suppliers have insisted that these aircraft will have a two-target beyond-visual-range engagement capability using the R-77, making Malaysia the first export customer for the AA-12 Adder.

So far, however, pictures of the Malaysian aircraft have revealed only a standard Fulcrum A-type radar control-panel, with no indication of a two-target engagement capability.

The Malaysian air force is now thought likely to receive a stepped upgrade to its aircraft, following delivery, with the Topaz radar modifications and a revised radar control-panel likely to be available during 1996.

Source: Flight International