MiG-29SMT flight tests with 'Zhuk-MEh'

Flight Tests Begin of MiG-29SMT Fighter with New Radar

The flight test stage of the MiG-29 fighter with the “Zhuk-MEh” radar (RLS), developed by the Fazotron-NIIR corporation, are beginning, an informed source in the Russian defense industrial complex reported to Interfax-AVN on Tuesday.

“The ground stage of the MiG-29SMT fighter tests with the “Zhuk-MEh” has been completed in accordance with the state joint tests (GSI) program. In the coming days, flight tests of the “Zhuk-MEh” RLS will begin,” the source reported.

According to him, completion of state tests of the RLS which is makes up the airplane’s avionics suite ((RADIOEhLEKTRONNYY KOMPLEKS)) is expected in the first half of 2004.

“The plans for this year, besides completion of MiG-29SMT fighter and the “Zhuk-MEh” RLS state joint tests also call for the start of deliveries of the RLS for installation on airplanes subject to shipment to a foreign customer,” the agency source reported.

He recalled that at the present time flight tests are underway of the “Zhuk-MEh” with a slotted antenna array ( ShchAR). At the same time, according to him, plans for 2004 provide for the start of flight tests of the “Zhuk-MEh” with a phased antenna array for MiG-29 fighters.

The “Zhuk-MEh” is a multifunctional multimode coherent aircraft X-band RLS intended for installation on MiG-29SMT. Antenna diameter is 624 millimeters. An aircraft radar with an antenna diameters of 980 millimeters also can be installed on the airplane. Design of the “Zhuk-MEh” allows installing it in MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. Mean-time-between-failure is up to 150 – 200 hours.

The search zone (the maximum angles of target detection and tracking) is for the antenna with the ShchAR with a diameter of 624 millimeters +/-85; in elevation angle +/- 60; in a roll +/-120. Detection range of a fighter type target (radar cross section ((EhPR)) – 5 square meters) is up to 100 – 150 kilometers. An antenna with a 980-millimeter diameter provides an increase in RLS performance of 1.5 times in range in comparison with the 624-millimeter antenna diameter.

Source: 21.01.04, Interfax-AVN

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