Su 29 training and sports aircraft. The hard way of a light fighter: what will be the Russian military aviation

What made the Soviet Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters the most dangerous?

MiG-29 kyiveuromarathon

When the Su-27 and MiG-29 appeared on the world stage in the 1980s, they represented a dramatic generational leap from early Soviet fighters. Another such leap was rockets, which form the basis of their weapons.

Indeed, the R-73 short-range air-to-air missile and the R-27 medium-range missile, which were first installed on these aircraft, are still in service to this day. At the same time, the R-27 design has proven to be particularly successful and suitable for constant modernization. What is the secret of her longevity?

In 1974, the Central Committee of the CPSU decided to start developing the fourth generation of fighters - the MiG-29 and Su-27. As a consequence of this decision, Vympel Design Bureau began to develop the R-27 rocket (whose prototype was designated K-27).

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According to the original plan, two versions of the R-27 were supposed - a "light" K-27A for the MiG-29 with a shorter range and a "heavy" K-27B with an extended range for the Su-27. As a result, a modular propulsion system was developed for the rocket.

In keeping with the Soviet trend of simultaneous development of missiles with radar and infrared location, a modular guidance system was developed for the R-27. This will come in handy later when whole line R-27 variants with various systems homing.

Another interesting design decision was the butterfly-shaped control surfaces located in the center of the rocket. At first, they caused a number of complaints: some designers defended the scheme previously installed on the R-23, where the control surfaces were located in the tail of the rocket. This solution reduced air resistance at low angles of attack and was considered aerodynamically more advanced. However, since the priority was the modular design of the rocket, this decision was rejected, since the tail location of the control surfaces would compromise the very modularity of the power plant.

Su-27 kyiveuromarathon

It is also interesting that the developers feared that even taking into account the progress of Soviet technology, the radars of the R-27 and its carrier aircraft would be inferior in power and sensitivity to their Western counterparts. To prevent lag, Soviet designers improved the missile's ability to lock onto a target after launch.

The earlier R-23 missile had an inertial target acquisition system, in which the missile was aimed at the target after launch and could fly without blocking for some time, while its course was provided by the inertial navigation system. On the R-27, a significant improvement was achieved due to the ability of the carrier aircraft to correct the missile's course using a radio transmitter.

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During tests conducted in the late 1970s, K-27s were fired from MiG-23 fighters. The purpose was only to check the telemetry, and the launches were not made on purpose. A thermal imaging missile was also tested - it was fired at parachute targets. A working version of the K-27 with an infrared homing head was also released from the MiG-29 prototype in 1980 - despite the fact that the carrier aircraft at that time still lacked a radar.

State testing continued in the 1980s and ended in 1984. The K-27 missile was finally put into service in 1987 in two versions, under the names R-27R and R-27T. "R" denoted the variant with a semi-active radar homing head, and "T" - the variant with a passive infrared CGS.

At the same time, the "heavy" version of the missile, K-27B, originally intended for the Su-27, changed its designation to K-27E. The letter "E" meant a higher power output (and, therefore, an increased range). The development cycle proved to be longer than that of its lighter counterpart due to a radical overhaul of the Su-27's radar system in hopes of making it more competitive. Complicating the development and unforeseen problems associated with increasing the range.

The tests were finally completed in 1990, and the rocket was put into service under the names R-27ER and R-27ET - and its creators in 1991 were awarded a state prize.

R-27ET Aviaru.rf

During the long development cycle of the R-27, the designers realized that the semi-active radar homing system (when the missile is guided to the target by a radar signal from the carrier aircraft) could become obsolete. Therefore, studies were carried out to create an active homing system. The homing heads of this type of missiles are equipped with their own radar, which allows it to independently irradiate the target without relying on the carrier aircraft.

This version was named R-27EA. It was developed in 1983, but the difficulties encountered in creating a compact radar in a homing head led to a delay. The final fate of the project is unknown, but most sources agree that development finally stopped around 1989 - when the design bureau switched to the R-77 missile. However, the work could well continue even after this moment, already as a private initiative.

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In general, the main advantage of the R-27 series over competitors is the increased range of the ER version, reaching 130 kilometers. This is far superior to any of the modifications of the AIM-7 Sparrow, its closest NATO counterpart. The main problem of the R-27 is the protracted development cycle, which allowed American missiles to surpass it.

One example of such a delay is the R-27 intermediate course correction system. Although this feature was originally developed back in the 1970s, the rocket did not enter service until 1987. By this time, American engineers had gradually made adjustments to the design of the AIM-7 rocket, including a similar course correction system. The AIM-7P Block II missile entered service in the same 1987.

The decision to stop further development of the rocket was probably facilitated by the compromise nature of the steering surfaces. The R-77, the next-generation active-homing missile designed for the Soviet Air Force, was equipped with lattice stabilizers for better maneuverability. Since reach aerodynamic characteristics its descendant R-27 was still not destined, the addition of an active homing system was considered a waste of time and money.

R-77 Wikipedia

In many ways, the R-27ER can be considered the swan song of the semi-automatic homing system. At the development stage, it became one of the most advanced missiles of its type due to its increased range and the possibility of intermediate course correction, but by the time it was accepted into service, the semi-automatic guidance itself began to become obsolete. The US launched its first self-guided missile, the AIM-120 AMRAAM, in 1991, just a year after the R-27ER.

Apparently, the Russian Air Force continues to use these missiles because their range exceeds the weakest possible adversaries, who are unlikely to have automatic homing missiles at their disposal. However, as has become clear in Syria, when a threat arises from an equal or almost equal enemy, the R-27 is abandoned in favor of the R-77.

Charlie Gao

The editors may not agree with the opinion of the author.

Today, the aircraft fleet of the Aerospace Forces is dominated by Su-27 aircraft, continuing the line of the 4th generation heavy fighter Su-27. These include Su-34 front-line bombers and modified aircraft of the 4++ generation - Su-30SM and Su-35. And finally, a new generation aircraft - the multifunctional Su-57. And what about light fighters - the heirs of the MiG-29? Do they have a future and a place in the combat formation of the Aerospace Forces? "Army Standard" studied the history of the issue and its current state. Once in the fleet of the Soviet, and then the Russian Air Force, the number of heavy Su-27 fighters with a maximum takeoff weight more than 30 tons and light MiG-29 with the same indicator over 18 tons, it was approximately equal. And in terms of export deliveries, the firms differed little. But in the 90s, Sukhoi took the lead. Significantly helped the company to survive in the difficult 90s the export of "dryers" to China and India. There was money for the development and fine-tuning of new projects, the modernization of production. RSK "MiG" was pursued by personnel leapfrog in the leadership and high-profile scandals with a taint of corruption. And here are the new worthwhile projects there was practically none. The export of the MiG-29 dipped heavily. There were also absolutely "steps". So, Algeria ordered a batch of modernized MiG-29SMT fighters, and then refused them, citing non-compliance with the requirements. The native Air Force helped to attach a squadron of "foreign" aircraft with a large number of imported components. Although the "adoption" went with difficulty and not without problems. We must pay tribute, the patriots of the company did not give up and fought for survival as best they could. The developments on upgrading the MiG-29 to the MiG-29SMT variant were partially used in the implementation of the Indian contract for the development and supply of ship-based MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB (ship-based combat training) fighters for the Vikramaditya heavy aircraft carrier cruiser purchased and modernized in Russia ( "Admiral Gorshkov"). This order inspired the MiG to make a design breakthrough - the creation of a new aircraft that continues the MiG-29 family - the 4 ++ generation fighter MiG-35.
At that time, the relatives of the Air Force could not support the aircraft builders with orders, there was no money. And so it was decided to try their luck in the Indian tender for a light multi-purpose aircraft. India was going to buy 126 of these fighters. Russia put up a MiG-35 prototype for tender in 2007. Why a prototype? Yes, because the key element of the aircraft, which ensures its versatility and combat effectiveness - the airborne radar with an active phased antenna array (ARLS with AFAR) - was still in operation. The MiG-35 did not win the tender at that time, since it was the only one of all foreign competitors that had not yet been mass-produced. The aircraft builders continued to work on the MiG-35, believing that it was too early to dismiss light fighters. The tests continued. Interest in the new aircraft was shown by the Aerospace Forces. And now, as it became known to "Army Standard", the MiG-35 fighter will soon receive a preliminary conclusion on the first stage of state tests. According to a source in the Russian aviation industry, after receiving a preliminary conclusion, the developer - the MiG Corporation - will finalize the fighter according to the comments received.
It is expected that after that the fighter will be presented in the fourth quarter of 2018 for state joint tests. Joint tests will take place at the State Flight Test Center of the Aerospace Forces in Akhtubinsk. Military test pilots will evaluate the combat qualities of the new aircraft and test it at aviation test sites. So far, two prototypes of the MiG-35 fighter are participating in state tests. They were built at the expense of the Ministry of Defense. It was decided that several more experienced fighters would join the state tests this fall. This will make it possible to carry out test flights more intensively and speed up the test program. Wherein main question- equipping the MiG-35 radar with AFAR - remains open. Several options are being worked out. In any case, their full implementation will require several more years of development work.
Fazotron-NIIR and the V.V. Tikhomirov Research Institute of Instrument Engineering are working on the radar with an active phased antenna array for the MiG-35. Fazotron has a radar demonstrator with AFAR. We still have to create a large-diameter antenna array to fit the size of the MiG-35 fuselage with several hundred transceiver modules. The Tikhomirov NIIP has its own developments. This company, in particular, has created a system of airborne radars for the 5th generation Su-57 fighter and has the necessary scientific and technical groundwork. The final decision on the fighter will remain with the state customer - the Russian Aerospace Forces. The State Armaments Program provides for the purchase of a small batch of 24 light fighters. The military department understands that light fighters have their own niche in air combat. In addition, the price of the MiG-35 is less than, for example, the Su-35. There is a demand for light front-line aircraft abroad as well. By the way, the same India, which initially preferred the French Rafales, is again carefully looking towards the MiG-35. The results of the extended Indian tender may be summed up by 2025. Now it all depends on how quickly the legendary MiG firm, which was founded more than 75 years ago by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, will respond to this demand.

2017-07-07T22:23:00+00:00

Training and aerobatic aircraft Su-29.

Developer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Country Russia
First flight: 1991

In 1990, at the OKB im. P.O. Sukhoi began work on the creation of a two-seat training and sports aircraft Su-29, which is further development Su-26M. The Su-29 two-seat aerobatic aircraft is designed for education, training and participation of pilots in aerobatics competitions and demonstration performances at air shows, as well as for maintaining the flying skills of military and civil aviation pilots.

In 1991, the construction of two aircraft prototypes intended for flight tests, as well as two for statistical tests, began. At the end of 1991, the first experimental Su-29 took off, and in May 1992, the first production aircraft flew. In 1994, an experimental Su-29KS was created, equipped with SKS-94 ejection seats, developed by the Zvezda association. The serial modification of the TCB with ejection seats received the designation Su-29M.

To date, more than 60 Su-29 aircraft have been produced. They are operated not only in Russia, but also in Australia, Great Britain, the USA, South Africa and other countries. In 1997, the Argentine Air Force decided to purchase seven Su-29 aircraft, which are supposed to be used to improve pilot training. The Argentine TCBs are equipped with a West German propeller, a Swedish-made cockpit canopy, and American landing gear wheels and avionics (including a GPS satellite navigation system receiver). In 1999, the delivery of Su-29 aircraft to Argentina will be completed.

The aircraft was created on the basis of the Su-26M and borrowed many structural and technological solutions from his predecessor. However, due to the widespread introduction composite materials, - the share of which in the Su-29 aircraft exceeded 60%, the empty weight of the aircraft increased by only 50 kg. When flying with one pilot, the aircraft is not inferior in its characteristics to the Su-26M.

At the request of the customer, the Su-29 aircraft can be equipped with Bekker and Bendix King navigation systems, as well as a GPS system.

Modification: Su-29
Wingspan, m: 8.20
Aircraft length, m: 7.29
Aircraft height, m: 2.89
Wing area, m2: 12.20
Weight, kg
- empty aircraft: 735
-normal takeoff: 860
-maximum takeoff: 1204
Internal fuel, kg: 207
Engine type: 1 x PD M-14PT
- power, hp: 1 x 355
Maximum speed, km/h
-dive: 450
- level flight: 385
Practical range, km: 1200
Practical ceiling, m: 4000
Max. operating overload: 12
Crew, people: 1-2.

Su-29 aircraft in the parking lot.

Su-29 aircraft in the parking lot.

Su-29 aircraft in the parking lot.

Su-29 aircraft in the parking lot.

Su-29 in flight.

Su-27K (early)

Deck Su-27K, view according to the project of 1972 (drawing)

Development and production

Operation history

General design data

Engine

Armament

suspended

built-in

• 1 x 30 mm gun GSh-30-1

Su-27K/Su-29K "Lightning" and Su-28K "Groza"- a family of Soviet carrier-based catapult take-off aircraft, developed in 1971-1977 on the basis of the project of a promising front-line fighter T-10 under a common code Buran. They were intended to arm the nuclear aircraft carriers of the project. In connection with the cancellation of the construction of these aircraft carriers, the Buran project was postponed, although development work was continued. After 1984, as a development of this project, new fighter Su-33 and Su-27KUB attack fighter, designed to take off from the project 11435 TAKR springboard.

History of creation

Project 1160 aircraft carrier, general view. The deck shows the silhouettes of fighters and attack aircraft of the Su-27K family (Su-28K, Su-29K)

On September 1, 1969, a decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR was issued, instructing the Nevsky Design Bureau (NPKB, Leningrad) to develop a preliminary design nuclear aircraft carrier. A comprehensive research work (R&D) on the design and military-economic justification for the possibility of creating a nuclear aircraft carrier and its air group in the USSR bore the code "Order", and the aircraft carrier itself was designated as project 1160 "Eagle".

As part of the research work "Order", on June 5, 1971, the decision of the military-industrial complex No. 138 was issued, instructing the aircraft design bureau to submit in 1972 advance designs for deck-based aircraft of the classical type (ejection launch, finish landing) for deployment on Project 1160 aircraft carriers.

The main strike aircraft for the aircraft carrier's air group was ordered to be developed at the Design Bureau of Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi at the Kulon machine-building plant. It was originally planned to create a carrier-based attack aircraft based on the then developed frontline bomber Su-24. Due to its large dimensions and weight, this aircraft was unsuitable for deck-based, so instead of the Su-24, the Design Bureau specialists proposed their T-10 project, which existed then only on paper, the prototype of the Su-27 fighter. By the end of 1972, on the basis of the design of the early T-10, the design bureau of P. O. Sukhoi prepared a preliminary design carrier-based attack aircraft Su-28K, and with it - heavy fighters Su-27K and Su-29K, as well as ship reconnaissance and target designator Su-28KRTs. By design, all these machines were conceived as unified as possible - both among themselves and with the ground-based Su-27 interceptor. This decision promised great savings both in production and in the maintenance of a combat-ready fleet of aircraft in the future.

Su-27K (Su-33), designed since 1984 and coming into service with the aviation of the Russian Navy since 1993. It has little in common with the early versions of the Su-27K

As a result, in 1973, it was decided to unify the air group of the Project 1160 aircraft carrier, instead of separate types of fighter and strike aircraft (MiG-23A and Su-24K), adopting a single family of vehicles based on the Su-27K. This family was assigned the code "Buran". As part of common project"Buran" in the Sukhoi Design Bureau was developed for deck-based: multi-role fighter Su-27K with factory designation T-10K and code "Lightning-1"; long-range fighter-interceptor Su-29K with the factory designation T-12 and the code "Lightning-2"; double attack aircraft Su-28K with the factory designation T-11 and the code "Thunderstorm"; Su-28KRTS reconnaissance and target designation aircraft with the Vympel code. Work on the Buran project at the design bureau was headed by the lead designer S. B. Smirnov.

In September 1973, the research work "Order" was completed with the conclusion that it was still too difficult and expensive for the USSR to build ships similar to the Project 1160 aircraft carrier. However, the need for carrier-based conventional takeoff and landing aircraft along with VTOL aircraft was recognized, so the Su-27K project was not closed.

An experimental T-10-3 aircraft performs a cable hook during testing at the Nitka complex, 1983

In April 1974, Order No. 177 was issued by the Ministry aviation industry USSR, instructing the Design Bureau of P. O. Sukhoi in the first quarter of 1975 to develop a technical proposal for the creation of a ship-based fighter and catapult take-off attack aircraft based on the Su-27K design, which gave the 1972 project a continuation. At this stage, not four, but only two types of aircraft were being developed - fighter Su-27KI "Lightning" and attack aircraft Su-27KSh "Groza"; they were to be based on the atomic large cruiser of project 1153. The 1975 project of the year received the general designation "Buran-75", and in August 1977, the draft designs of the Su-27KI and Su-27KSh were defended.

It should be noted that the first flying prototype of even the basic - land - version of the Su-27 had only been completed by that time (first flight - May 20, 1977), so the creation of the deck "Buran" obviously required considerable time. For these reasons, the simpler and lighter MiG-23K was supposed to be the main fighter of the air group of the large cruiser of project 1153, and the Su-27KI and Su-27KSh were developed for the future.

In 1977-1978, flight tests of the first T-10 prototypes revealed that the future Su-27 in this form would not provide the desired advantage over potential opponents in air combat. To overcome the shortcomings in 1979, it was decided to completely redesign the aircraft; the new version received the designation T-10S. In fact, it was already a different aircraft, which today is known as the Su-27. New versions of the carrier-based fighter were subsequently based on the design of the T-10S, and in the future it was they who led to the creation of the serial Su-33. A Soviet government decree ordering this aircraft to be submitted for testing was issued on April 18, 1984.

However, the history of the early versions of the Su-27K did not end in 1979. It was decided to finalize three copies from the experimental series T-10 and use them in tests at the Nitka complex for taking off from a springboard, hooking on the arrester cable and landing in an emergency barrier. These tests were carried out in 1982-1983, and the data collected during this made it possible to accelerate work on the creation of the T-10K aircraft, the future Su-33.

Design Description

One of the first developments general view carrier-based fighter Su-27K "Lightning", 1972

Carrier-based aircraft of the Su-27K family, according to the project, were twin-engine jet monoplanes of an integral layout (with a load-bearing fuselage smoothly mating with the wing). From serial ground-based Su-27, the deck versions should have been distinguished by a reinforced chassis, the presence of a landing hook and a leash for a catapult, a folding wing, the use of corrosion-resistant materials in the design, as well as a significantly revised composition of weapons and equipment.

Modifications

General view of the carrier-based attack aircraft Su-28K (Su-27KSh) "Groza"

In the framework of the Buran project, the Sukhoi Design Bureau in 1972 developed for deck-based: the Su-27K multipurpose fighter with the code Lightning-1; long-range fighter-interceptor Su-29K with the code "Lightning-2"; two-seat attack aircraft Su-28K with the code "Thunderstorm"; Su-28KRTS reconnaissance and target designation aircraft with the Vympel code. With the unification of the airframe and engines, these aircraft differed significantly from each other in the composition of equipment and weapons.

Since 1974, only two modifications have been developed - the Su-27KI "Lightning" fighter and the Su-27KSH "Groza" attack aircraft.

At the beginning of 1979, the Air Force command issued the P.O. Sukhoi Design Bureau an assignment also for the design of the Su-27UBK combat training deck aircraft based on the Su-27K design.

Fuselage

The first experimental aircraft T-10-1 (1977). The differences from the future Su-27 are clearly visible: a different arrangement of the chassis and keels, brake flaps in front of the main pillars, and different cockpit glazing.

The fuselage was integral with the center section, smoothly mating with the wing of the aircraft. In the head part of the fuselage there was a nose compartment with a radar and an optical-electronic sighting system (OEPS, at an early stage its optical unit was placed under the fuselage), a cockpit, a niche for the front landing gear, an under-cabin and outside equipment compartments. The cabin was carried out single, pressurized; to open the glazing was moved back along the guides along the fuselage.

In the middle part of the fuselage were the main fuel tanks and niches of the main landing gear, and under it were the air intakes and the middle parts of the engine nacelles with air channels. Flush with the middle part of the fuselage, it was planned to place a retractable brake flap, later two flaps were made and moved under the fuselage - in front of the landing gear niches.

The fuselage was integral with the center section, smoothly mating with the wing of the aircraft. In the head part of the fuselage there was a nose compartment with a radar, a cockpit, a niche for the front landing gear, an under-cabin and outside equipment compartments. The cabin was pressurized, double with crew members landing nearby.

In the middle part of the fuselage there were the main fuel tanks, the niches of the main landing gear, as well as the bomb bay for placing part of the weapons in it (on the Su-28KRTS, additional electronic equipment was located in the bomb bay). Under the middle part of the fuselage, on the sides of the bomb bay, there were air intakes and the middle parts of the engine nacelles with air channels.

The tail section of the fuselage included a central beam with compartments for aircraft equipment and engine nacelles, and a brake hook was also to be attached under it.

Su-27K/Su-27KI fighter

Attack aircraft Su-28K / Su-27KSh, reconnaissance - target designator Su-28KRTs

Wing and plumage

General view of the Su-27KI "Lightning" according to the project of 1978

arrow-shaped wing gave an animated shape with rounded ends. The sweep angle along the leading edge had to change smoothly from the influx to the tip. Mechanization of the leading edge was not provided, single-section flaps and ailerons were placed along the trailing edge. The wing according to the project was supposed to receive a significant aerodynamic twist. The wing span was 12.7 m, while in order to reduce the dimensions of the aircraft when it was placed on the deck or in the hangar of an aircraft carrier, the wing had to be folded (providing a transverse dimension of 9.3 m).

Consoles all-moving horizontal tail had oblique axes of rotation and were installed on the sides of the engine nacelles, below the plane of the wing.

vertical tail included two keels with rudders, fixed with a significant camber angle on the engine nacelles, and two ventral ridges.

Chassis

The chassis was planned to be the usual three-post, with an ejection leash on the front support. Apart from this leash, as well as the strengthening of shock absorbers and power elements, the chassis did not differ structurally from the basic (land) modification.

When operating from the deck - more even and smooth than a concrete airfield - it became possible to reduce the size of the pneumatics: one 930x305 mm wheel on the main racks (against 1030x350 for the ground version) and two 600x155 mm wheels (against 680x260 for the ground Su-27).

The chassis was planned to be three-post, with an ejection leash on the front support. The attack aircraft - heavier than the fighter - was supposed to receive a substantially redesigned chassis with twin bogies of the main supports.

Su-27K/Su-27KI fighter

Attack aircraft Su-28K / Su-27KSh, reconnaissance and target designator Su-28KRTs

Power point

For installation on a new fighter - both its ground-based version and deck ones - it was planned to use bypass turbojet engines with an afterburner thrust of over 10,000 kilograms. In the early 1970s, such engines were only being developed in the USSR. For installation on the Su-27 considered:

• AL-31F development machine-building plant"Saturn" (General Designer - A. M. Lyulka);
• D-30F-6 of the Perm Engine Design Bureau (chief designer - P. A. Solovyov);
• R-59F-300 MMZ "Soyuz" (General Designer - S. K. Tumansky).

In 1972, it was decided to equip the Su-27 power plant of two AL-31F engines, and in the future the project was developed specifically for them (full non-afterburning thrust of one engine 7770 kgf, afterburner 12500 kgf). By the time the first experimental T-10 aircraft were built, the new engines were not yet ready, so they were equipped with serial AL-21F-3 single-circuit engines with an afterburner thrust of 11215 kgf (full afterburner - 7800 kgf).

Armament and equipment

In terms of the composition of equipment and armament, the Su-27K / KI practically did not differ from the Su-27 "land" interceptor being developed for the Air Force and Air Defense Forces: the same Sword radar in combination with R-27 air-to-air guided missiles (medium range), R-60 and R-73 (for close combat). It also provided for the possibility of using unguided weapons against ground or surface targets (free-falling bombs or rocket projectiles).

In terms of on-board equipment, the difference between a carrier-based fighter and a conventional Su-27 was only in the presence of an autothrottle, which facilitates landing on a steep glide path, as well as in the provided possibility of pairing the sighting and navigation system (PRNK) with the ship's short-range navigation radio system (RSBN) "Resistor- B".

The basis of the onboard equipment was no longer the S-27 sighting and sighting system, standard for a conventional and carrier-based fighter, but the new Puma PrNK, optimized for working on ground and surface targets. The complex was supposed to include a multifunctional radar, a passive radar and a Kaira-12 quantum-optical station.

The complex made it possible to use all the same air-to-air missiles as the conventional Su-27 fighter (R-27, R-60 and R-73 missiles), and in addition to them, a wide range of air-to-air guided weapons. surface". The Kh-12 anti-ship missile was supposed to be the main weapon for operations against surface targets, and the use of Kh-25, Kh-29, Kh-58, Kh-59 and other types of missiles was also envisaged. The maximum bomb load was to reach six tons.

The Su-28KRTs Vympel, instead of armament and sighting and navigation system, was supposed to carry special equipment for conducting aerial reconnaissance (including electronic) in the interests of the strike formations of the fleet. Also, the aircraft was to be equipped with the Success hardware complex (similar to the Tu-95RTs aircraft and Ka-25Ts carrier-based helicopters in service), designed to issue target designation to Granite or Bazalt anti-ship cruise missiles.

Thus, the Project 1153 aircraft carrier, equipped with Su-28KRTS aircraft and Granit missiles, could itself provide over-the-horizon target designation for its main strike complex, not depending on communication with the Legend space system; compared to the Ka-25Ts helicopter, another deck carrier of the Success target designation complex, the Su-28KRTs aircraft had a significantly greater range and flight speed.

• Data modification date: 12/22/2015

Su-29 aerobatic aircraft

The Su-29 two-seat aerobatic aircraft is designed for education, training and participation of pilots in aerobatics competitions and demonstration performances at air shows, as well as for maintaining the flying skills of military and civil aviation pilots.

DIMENSIONS. Wingspan 8.20 m; aircraft length 7.29 m; aircraft height 2.74 m; wing area 12, 24 m2.

NUMBER OF PLACES. Crew 2 people, instructor - in the front cockpit.

ENGINE. 1xPD M-14P (265 kW, 360 hp) with three-blade propeller MTV-3 (Germany).

WEIGHTS AND LOADS Normal takeoff weight aerobatic version 862 kg, maximum takeoff weight 1205 kg, empty weight 735 kg; full fuel supply 260 l (including two distillation wing tanks with a total capacity of 200 l).

FLIGHT DATA. Maximum horizontal flight speed 385 km/h, maximum flight speed 450 km/h, takeoff speed 125 km/h, landing speed 120 km/h; rate of climb 16 m/s; practical ceiling 4000 m; takeoff run 160 m; run length 250 m; maximum rotation speed 6 rad/s (345 deg/s); maximum operational overload +12/-10; flight range 1200 km.

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT. At the request of the customer, the Su-29 aircraft can be equipped with Bekker and Bendix King navigation systems, as well as a GPS system.

DESIGN FEATURES. The aircraft was created on the basis of the Su-26M and borrowed many design and technological solutions from its predecessor. At the same time, thanks to the widespread introduction of composite materials, the share of which in the Su-29 aircraft exceeded 60%, the weight of an empty aircraft increased by only 50 kg. When flying with one pilot, the aircraft is not inferior in its characteristics to the Su-26M.

PROGRAM STATUS. Su-29 is successfully sold on the world market. The entire production program, which is more than thirty aircraft, was sold to the USA, Great Britain, Australia and other countries, starting from May 1992. Since 1993, the production of the aircraft has been launched at the Dubninsk Machine-Building Plant.
In June 1994, the Russian type certificate was received for the Su-29 aircraft.

PRICE. The price of the aircraft is 190 thousand US dollars

DEVELOPER. JSC ANPK Sukhoi Design Bureau.