View source for MiG-29

{{Infobox warplane
| image      =DF-SD-05-07713.JPEG
| primary    =Air-superiority, multi-role fighter
| contractor =Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB
| unitcost   =$29 million (U.S.)
| models     ='''A''': MiG-29 basic version<br/>'''B''': MiG-29UB trainer<br/>'''C''': MiG-29S<br/>'''D''': MiG-29K, MiG-29KUB, naval versions  <br/>'''E''': MiG-29M upgrade test plane<br/>'''F''': MiG-29OVT, MiG-35  thrust-vector control engine
| date       =1983
| countries  =[[USSR]] / [[Russia]] (country of origin)<br/>[[Belarus]], [[Bulgaria]]<br/>[[Croatia]], [[Cuba]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Germany]]<br/>[[Hungary]], [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]]<br/>[[Kazakhstan]], [[Malaysia]], [[Moldova]]<br/>[[North Korea]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]]<br/>[[Slovakia]], [[Syria]], [[Turkemenistan]]<br/>[[Ukraine]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Yemen]], [[Yugoslavia]] 
| wingspan   =36 feet, 5 inches
| length     =56 feet, 10 inches
| height     =15 feet, 6.25 inches
| weight     =24,030 pounds empty
| ceiling    =59,100 ft
| speed      =Mach 2.3 maximum 
| range      =905 nnautical miles
| propulsion =Two Klimov/Sarkisov RD-33 turbofan engines 
| thrust     =22,200 pounds
| crew       =One 
| armament   =One 30mm GSh-30L cannon, 150 rounds 
| payload    =2x AA- 8 Aphid (R60)<br/>2x AA-10 Alamo (R27T)<br/>2x AA-11 Archer (R73)<br/>FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000, TN-100, ECM Pods, S-24<br/>AS-12, AS-14 
}}
The '''MiG-29''', known to Western operators as the "Fulcrum," is a Soviet-built air superiority fighter. It is a widely exported aircraft, used by more than 20 countries, among whom are [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[North Korea]], and [[Cuba]].<ref>[http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avmig29.html Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum]</ref>  At shorter ranges, it is equal to the [[F-15]], but at ranges of eight miles or more, the F-15 and [[F-18]] are superior. 

The MiG-29 was designed to meet a 1972 requirement for a maneuverable, high-tech fighter to replace the [[MiG-21]] and [[MiG-23]].  The first prototype flew in 1977, and the Fulcrum entered operational service in the mid-80s.<ref>''The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft'', ed. by Sophearith Moeng, Airlife Publishing, 1994</ref>

The [[Department of Defense]] acquired 21 "Fulcrums" from [[Moldova]] after learning that Iran had inspected the aircraft and were attempting to purchase them. Fourteen of the aircraft were the advanced "C" version, which carry a radar jammer.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_281.shtml War in Moldova, 1992]</ref>

==Operational History==
The [[Syria]]n Air Force acquired the new MiG starting in 1987, but it has had little success in clashes with [[Israel]]i fighters.  On September 14, 2001, two Fulcrums threatened an IAF 707 on an intelligence gathering mission, and were promptly shot down by F-15s.  Both Syrian pilots were recovered safely.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_437.shtml   Israeli-Syrian Shadow Boxing]</ref>

During the [[Gulf War]], Iraqi MiG-29s challenged the initial Coalition air strikes, but five were shot down by USAF F-15s in the first few days, and they never came close to being a serious threat.<ref>''F-15C Eagle Units in Combat'', by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref>

MiG-29s were used by the Yugoslav Air Force during the Yugoslav Civil War.  On May 2, 1992, one was shot down by a [[Croatia]]n [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]], the pilot surviving to become a POW.<ref>[http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/mig-29.htm MiG-29 Fulcrum Losses and Ejections]</ref>  When [[Kosovo War|Operation Allied Force]] began, five Fulcrums were downed by [[NATO]] fighters in the first three days, with another falling to an American [[F-16]] later in the campaign.  By this time, Serbian MiGs suffered from lack of spare parts and proper radar support, so were not able to seriously challenge the NATO airstrikes.

On February 24, 1996, a Cuban Air Force MiG-29 shot down two unarmed Cessna prop planes over international waters.  The Cessnas were flown by members of Brothers to the Rescue, an anti-[[Castro]] activist organization.  All four pilots were killed, and the Cuban government was widely condemned for the incident.<ref>[http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/cases/86-99.html University of Minnesota Human Rights Library]</ref><ref>[http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju63608.000/hju63608_0.htm Shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue Planes]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-29.htm MiG-29 Fulcrum at GlobalSecurity.org]
*[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_380.shtml Yugoslav and Serbian MiG-29s]

[[Category:Russia]]
[[Category:Military Aircraft]]