Air force to enhance flying life of MiG-29
The IAF has sought life-enhancement of its frontline fighter MiG-29 by an additional 500 hours from 2,500 to 3,000 flying hours. Depending on the aircraft’s performance in the fatigue test and after, IAF may seek further enhancement of MiG 29 life to 4,000 flying hours an additional flying time of 1,500 hours. Like in the case of the MiG 21, IAF has put in a request to the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) to conduct the Total Technical Life Enhancement (TTLE) of the MiG-29. The project works out to around Rs 7 crore. Preparations for the Full Scale Fatigue Test (FSFT) of the aircraft are under way. Preparations commence early as it takes time for the entire process to be in place by the time the aircraft arrives for test. It does take around 18 months from concept to putting all equipment in place for the test. Two important elements of the MiG 29 test preparation have been completed. The aero model or the external contour mapping of the aircraft is ready. The model is crucial for aero dynamic calculations. We need to be completely accurate about its outer surface. It took us about one and a half to two years to arrive at the model. It is a process that takes time and that needs to be done carefully,an official said. NAL, the official observes, has also completed analysis of relevant flight data of the aircraft. The data is about input that is needed to calculate the load factor how much and what kind of loads we need to apply on the aircraft to ensure quality results, he said. The test aircraft is expected to arrive at NAL late 2007/early 2008. NAL expects to complete the fatigue test and technical life enhancement by 2009 one year from the date of aircraft arrival. As soon as the aircraft arrives, in the first three or four months, NAL will check out hydraulics, controls, software and the like to ensure the aircraft is in proper condition. A trial will be carried out before the actual testing begins. Experts say that NAL is moving gradually towards reducing the time taken to complete preparations and fatigue testing. While MiG-21 life-enhancement testing took roughly around three years, the MiG-29 is expected to take just one year. NAL’s experience in fatigue testing is growing.
link http://www.idrw.org/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articleid=441
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