announced DCS MiG-29A

[Dragon1-1]

Yeah, it's the US that's weird, presumably because of the cultural importance of both transparency and military technology.  Everyone likes to flaunt their domestic military tech to some degree, but the US made it into an art form. 

[Berserk]

Is early MiG-29 really going to be made as full module to DCS?

 

MiG-29, together with Mi-24, was the scarriest boogieman when my dad served in Germany in 1980s. At that time, the Soviet Union still existed, having tens of thousands combat aircrafts and tanks, and the atmosphere was completely different to what we have today.

 

Soviet Fulcrum, Flanker, Hind, Fitter, Fencer, NATO Tornado, F-15C, F-16A, AH-64A and F-14A, A-6, A-7 would be my favourite aircrafts possible and i see some of them are already in DCS, other are being made.

I've just bought F-14A and i have magnificent time with DCS. After so many years with Falcon where i always felt a bit "cheated". 

Edited February 18, 2021 by Berserk

[Zibell]

On 2/11/2021 at 5:57 AM, Jonne said:

Corrected it for you.

Poor Mig-19. Everyone keeps forgetting about it.

[Jonne]

It is so forgotten, that there is not even a single AI aircraft matching its era in DCS 

Edited February 19, 2021 by Jonne

[Gierasimov]

14 hours ago, Berserk said:

Is early MiG-29 really going to be made as full module to DCS?

 

 

 

Yes, MiG-29A is in the queue of things that ED want's to do. I say, next two years or something similar. 

Edited February 19, 2021 by Gierasimov

[Northstar98]

On 2/18/2021 at 7:25 PM, Seaeagle said:

Why not an -SMT then - its much better known and I doubt you would have an easier time getting documentation for the Ukrainian upgrade.

 

Because, and this is a real killer reason here, it makes my eyes bleed every time I see one. 

 

Also, according to S.E.Bulba this seems to be that Russian law: http://www.szrf.ru/szrf/doc.phtml?nb=100&issid=1002021001010&docid=20

[Gierasimov]

34 minutes ago, Northstar98 said:

 

Because, and this is a real killer reason here, it makes my eyes bleed every time I see one. 

 

Also, according to S.E.Bulba this seems to be that Russian law: http://www.szrf.ru/szrf/doc.phtml?nb=100&issid=1002021001010&docid=20

I say that's a valid reason

Thanks for the link!

[Seaeagle]

4 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

 

Because, and this is a real killer reason here, it makes my eyes bleed every time I see one. 

 

Heh yeah the big-hump one(9.19) is pretty ugly. But we were talking about "extensive" 9.12 modifications and the "budget" version of the SMT(9.18) is based on this and doesn't have a hump:

 

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia-Air-Force/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-29SMT-9-12/1297445/L

 

 

[Matis]

New clouds are behind the corner (hopefully), i cannot wait for full fidelity Mig-29 

 

[killkenny1]

12 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

 

Because, and this is a real killer reason here, it makes my eyes bleed every time I see one. 

 

 

She's a thicc and hungry one!

 

 

7 hours ago, Seaeagle said:

Heh yeah the big-hump one(9.19) is pretty ugly. But we were talking about "extensive" 9.12 modifications and the "budget" version of the SMT(9.18) is based on this and doesn't have a hump:

 

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia-Air-Force/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-29SMT-9-12/1297445/L

 

 

 

9.18 would be amazing.

 

Do not get carried out...

Do not get carried out...

Do not get carried out...

[Berserk]

I'm waiting for the classic Soviet steampunk MiG-29 when it was operational and scarry for the west. The contrast between crude avionics and advanced aerodynamics and high performance, as well as an attractive both combat and non-combat history, are the most interesting in the MiG-29.

 

 

All this SMT and similar upgrades were only a prototypes or very low serie production for export, understandably classified so no chance for any data, with each serie different than others, without any combat use. SMT lost it's soul and unique character, inside it looks like typical western flying iPad, very similar to JF-17.

9.18 was just a handful of export aircrafts which Algeria refused to buy after being produced and RF was forced to take it. In Russian service after USSR collapse MiG-29 due to lack of founds were not even truly operational.

Quote

The Russian Air Force grounded all its MiG-29s following a crash in Siberia on 17 October 2008. Following a second crash with a MiG-29 in east Siberia in December 2008, Russian officials admitted that most MiG-29 fighters in the Russian Air Force were incapable of performing combat duties due to poor maintenance. The age of the aircraft was also an important factor as about 70% of the MiGs were considered to be too old to take to the skies. The Russian MiG-29s have not received updates since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

 

As other guys said analog Cold War 9.12 will be perfect fit for F-14, Mirage 2000, Fishbed, Viggen, F-5E, L-39, C-101, Gazelle, Huey and all 1980s modules coming to DCS Hind, Mirage F.1, Flogger, A-6, A-7, Bolkov, Sea Harrier, Phantom. A true menagerie of late Cold War distinct personalities.

Edited March 3, 2021 by Berserk

[killkenny1]

1 hour ago, Berserk said:

All this SMT and similar upgrades were only a prototypes or very low serie production for export, understandably classified so no chance for any data, with each serie different than others, without any combat use. SMT lost it's soul and unique character, inside it looks like typical western flying iPad, very similar to JF-17.

9.18 was just a handful of export aircrafts which Algeria refused to buy after being produced and RF was forced to take it. In Russian service after USSR collapse MiG-29 due to lack of founds were not even truly operational.

 

SMT was not only a prototype. Russian AF upgraded some of their 9.13 to SMT. It's not a huge number (44 according to Wiki), but it is not a one off prototype as it's very often with the Soviet/Russian aircraft designs around the era of USSR collapse.

They even updated their UBs to be more inline with SMT i.e. by adding AAR probe.

 

However it's true that the Russian MiG-29 fleet is in pretty bad shape, and most of it is deemed not to be reasonable to be upgraded.

Edited March 2, 2021 by killkenny1

[Dudikoff]

17 minutes ago, killkenny1 said:

 

SMT was not only a prototype. Russian AF upgraded some of their 9.13 to SMT. It's not a huge number (44 according to Wiki), but it is not a one off prototype as it's very often with the Soviet/Russian aircraft designs around the era of USSR collapse.

They even updated their UBs to be more inline with SMT i.e. by adding AAR probe.

 

However it's true that the Russian MiG-29 fleet is in pretty bad shape, and most of it is deemed not to be reasonable to be upgraded.

 

Most of those were the 35 ones built/converted for Algeria who rejected them on the basis that the airframes used were not brand new.

 

But, I think all SMT's are withdrawn from RuAF official service and are relegated to foreign deployments (e.g. Armenia, Lybia, etc.).

[killkenny1]

21 minutes ago, Dudikoff said:

 

Most of those were the 35 ones built/converted for Algeria who rejected them on the basis that the airframes used were not brand new.

 

But, I think all SMT's are withdrawn from RuAF official service and are relegated to foreign deployments (e.g. Armenia, Lybia, etc.).

 

SMT and MiG-35 have nothing in common with each other.

 

You cannot convert a -35 into SMT or vice versa, as -35 is already a newer aircraft with some airframe differences. -35 is derived from -29M/M2 (note, not -29SM) and -29K/KUB (9.41/9.47).

SMT is derived from 9.12/9.13.

Edited March 2, 2021 by killkenny1

[Dudikoff]

45 minutes ago, killkenny1 said:

SMT and MiG-35 have nothing in common with each other.

 

You cannot convert a -35 into SMT or vice versa, as -35 is already a newer aircraft with some airframe differences. -35 is derived from -29M/M2 (note, not -29SM) and -29K/KUB (9.41/9.47).

SMT is derived from 9.12/9.13.

 

OK, I'll try once more. AFAIK, the Russians didn't upgrade that many SMTs as you've said as most of their SMTs came from a rejected Algerian SMT order. So, basically they've bought them to help MiG out.

 

I don't know why you're writing about MiG-29M/M2/35 as I never mentioned those.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Dudikoff

[Tone_Picky]

19 minutes ago, Dudikoff said:

 

OK, I'll try once more. AFAIK, the Russians didn't upgrade that many SMTs as you've said as most of their SMTs came from a rejected Algerian SMT order. So, basically they've bought them to help MiG out.

 

I don't know why you're writing about MiG-29M/M2/35 as I never mentioned those.

 

The SMT numbers are close to reality because in late 2010s there was 1 full regiment of SMTs in Kursk (Khalino airbase, 14th GvIAP) and some amount of those in training/research centers across Russia like Lipetsk and Akhtubinsk.

[killkenny1]

42 minutes ago, Dudikoff said:

 

OK, I'll try once more. AFAIK, the Russians didn't upgrade that many SMTs as you've said as most of their SMTs came from a rejected Algerian SMT order. So, basically they've bought them to help MiG out.

 

I don't know why you're writing about MiG-29M/M2/35 as I never mentioned those.

 

 

Sorry, my misunderstanding, I though by "35" you meant MiG-35... What was I ever thinking...

[Dudikoff]

1 hour ago, Tone_Picky said:

The SMT numbers are close to reality because in late 2010s there was 1 full regiment of SMTs in Kursk (Khalino airbase, 14th GvIAP) and some amount of those in training/research centers across Russia like Lipetsk and Akhtubinsk.

 

Again, I didn't dispute the total numbers, but simply the claim that all those were upgrades of older RuAF MiG-29s to SMT standard because IIRC most of them came from purchasing the SMTs built for, but eventually rejected by Algeria.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Dudikoff

[tosmonaute]

Is the MIG29 A the only one version we can expect? 

Any chance for an more recent version to come?

[SovietAce]

11 minutes ago, tosmonaute said:

Is the MIG29 A the only one version we can expect? 

Any chance for an more recent version to come?

Most likely yes. There is apparently a lots of issues due legislation concerning more modern variants of Russian jets. Maybe 9-13S variant could be doable as well, but I wouldnt take a bet on it. 

[Northstar98]

And even at that the MiG-29 9-12 is only a soft-confirm, it's something ED are looking into, but it hasn't been officially confirmed as definitely coming IIRC. 

 

Fingers crossed it'll get the green light.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Northstar98

[rkk01]

Nah, scratch the Fulcrum...

 

... put multi-crew AI to use and get us a Fullback

 

 

 

(ETA - don’t bother with the legislative stuff , that wasn’t my point)

Edited March 2, 2021 by rkk01

[Seaeagle]

6 hours ago, Berserk said:

I'm waiting for the classic Soviet steampunk MiG-29 when it was operational and scarry for the west. The contrast between crude avionics and advanced aerodynamics and high performance, as well as an interesting both combat and non-combat history, are the most interesting in the MiG-29.

Thats all good and I don't disagree that the original 9.12 should be the priority, but the discussion involving the SMT was in connection with people arguing in favour of an additional upgraded variant.

6 hours ago, Berserk said:

 

All this SMT and similar upgrades were only a prototypes or very low serie production for export, understandably classified so no chance for any data, with each serie different than others, without any combat use. SMT lost it's soul and unique character, inside it looks like typical western flying iPad, very similar to JF-17.

There is only one prototype variant - the 9.17. The others are operational aircraft and not just exports.

6 hours ago, Berserk said:

9.18 was just a handful of export aircrafts which Algeria refused to buy after being produced and RF was forced to take it. In Russian service after USSR collapse MiG-29 due to lack of founds were not even truly operational.

No the batch rejected by Algeria was the 9.19 variant and it was more than a "handful". The 9.18 is a different variant that was exported to Yemen.

 

[Seaeagle]

 

4 hours ago, Dudikoff said:

 

Most of those were the 35 ones built/converted for Algeria who rejected them on the basis that the airframes used were not brand new.

Most yes, but not all - Russia later upgraded some(cannot remember the number) of their own 9.13 to SMT as well.

4 hours ago, Dudikoff said:

 

But, I think all SMT's are withdrawn from RuAF official service and are relegated to foreign deployments (e.g. Armenia, Lybia, etc.).

Where did you read this?

[Dudikoff]

9 minutes ago, Seaeagle said:

Most yes, but not all - Russia later upgraded some(cannot remember the number) of their own 9.13 to SMT as well.

Where did you read this?

 

Perhaps Air Forces Monthly, not sure as it was a while back. IIRC from the original article, the only regiment that operated it (Kursk one) started switching to Su-30SMs and some of their SMTs were sent to Armenia to replace the 9.13s stationed there.

 

There is a mention of that in this article:

 

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/33666/mig-29-fighters-were-at-russias-air-base-in-syria-just-before-showing-up-in-libya

Edited March 2, 2021 by Dudikoff