Special report
The fighter jet stops mid-air, turns 360° and fires
By R. Prasannan/Moscow
A helicopter can stay still mid-air. But a fighter plane? No way. The laws of physics and jet propulsion don’t allow that.
Russian engineers have achieved just that. They are offering the plane to India, which is looking for 126 multi-role fighters like the US F-16 and F-18, the French Mirage-2000-V and Swedish Gripen.
"We have responded to India’s request for information, and are awaiting request for a proposal," said Col Mikhail Globenko, the general representative of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG in India.
The aircraft, temporarily called MiG-29M (since it is based on the airframe of the tried and tested MiG-29) and soon to be christened MiG-35, is claimed to be the only aircraft in the world with a thrust vector control that allows it to stop mid-air and manoeuvre 360 degrees.
And it is not just aerobatics to impress kids. "The thrust vector gives the aircraft certain advantages in close combat," said Andrey Karasev, deputy general designer of MiG. "An aircraft that can abruptly change speed and direction does not allow enemy aircraft to leave its firing range."
The manoeuvre, called ‘Bell’, also enables the pilot to stop mid-air and thus prevent himself from entering the enemy plane’s missile firing range. And then he can turn around abruptly in any direction but still fire its missile at the enemy.
A conventional aircraft cannot turn around abruptly; it will have to jet forward, take a long loop and then close in towards the enemy, by which time the enemy would either be waiting for it or have fled. "This is important in close combat," said Alexei Fyodorov, general director of MiG corporation. "This enhances the safety of the pilot and the manoeuvrability of the aircraft. "The pilot can recover from any position with this technology. We have modified the aircraft control system to enable this."
Thrust vector control technology, called OVT in Russian and developed by the Klimov plant and integrated with the RD-33 engine that powered the MiG-29 fighters, was first flight-tested in 2003, but was shown to the public for the first time at the recent MAKS-2005 airshow in Moscow.
But how difficult is it for an IAF pilot, shorter and leaner than a Russian, to master the manoeuvre? "Your pilots are the best in the world," said the lanky Pavel Vlatsov, MiG Corporation’s senior test pilot and winner of ‘Hero of Russia’ honour. "An average pilot can master it in 60 sorties. Perhaps your pilots would need fewer sorties. They have an additional advantage: they are familiar with the MiG-29 cockpit."
The MiG-29 came to India in the 1990s off the Russian shelf as part of what many call the stupidest (not for what was bought, but for what was not bought) of all Indo-Russian war jet deals. The Soviets had offered to sell not only the aircraft but also the technology and licence to manufacture it in India, but India said it wanted only a few readymade planes. Within months of the delivery, the Soviet Union broke up and India faced a severe service and spares problem as no one in India had seen the inside of the aircraft except the cockpit.
The Russians say they can offer the MiG-29M in a Brahmos-like package to India—transfer technology for manufacture within India, and jointly develop the aircraft further and sell it to third countries. "It is a double jump over the Sukhoi deal, so to speak," said a senior official in Rosoboronexport, Russia’s defence export agency. The Sukhoi-30MKI also has thrust vector technology, but is limited to one direction. The technology installed in MiG-29M would allow 360 degree manoeuvrability. And, though the Sukhoi-MKI was developed jointly, there is no provision for joint marketing in the deal.
Indian pilots at the air show were impressed with the plane and its new technology, but "it all depends on what we ask for in terms of avionics, weaponry and of course service support," said an IAF test pilot. Conceded Fyodorov, "IAF has very stiff requirements. We are willing to integrate any system, as the user wants it." MiG officials expect India to ask for Israeli Elta radars, display components from France and weaponry of Russian origin. "We have not frozen the technology specifications," said Fyodorov.
Russians, whose 70 per cent of arms exports are to India and China, are hopeful of beating competition on four counts. One, the competitors are offering old technology which will last only a decade or two whereas the new technology should last at least till 2040. Two, Russia has no problem outsourcing 30 per cent or more of manufacturing to Indian companies. Three, Indian pilots are familiar with MiG-29. Four, among the competitors, Russia alone is offering joint development of a new aircraft and part-rights to sell the plane to third countries. "In future, all projects will be for mutual design, production and marketing," said Fyodorov.
Meanwhile, Russia has set up a service and spares base in India with the recently launched Rosoboronservice (India) Ltd. The company is a venture of Russian manufacturers and vendors and one Indian company.
"The activities of the company range from repairs and maintenance of systems to spare parts supply, training of personnel, etc. It is an initiative to improve product support and make them available at the doorstep of the Indian armed forces," said Commander V.G. Jayaprakasan, managing director of Rosoboronservice (India) Ltd.
Though the new company incorporates only naval vendors, it is expected to take up the responsibility for Russian origin assets of the Air Force, too, "making it Russia’s one-stop shop in India," said a Rosoboronexport official.
Russians concede they no longer enjoy a captive market in India. Israel, with which India had no defence relationship till a few years ago, has become the second largest supplier, beating France.
Now the US has made a dramatic offer of F-16 and F-18 fighters. "Yes, as exporters, we are a bit concerned about India diversifying its defence procurement sources," admitted Sergey Chemezov, director-general of Rosoboronexport. "But we still have the advantage. We always offer state-of-the-art technology, and you know it from the Sukhoi-MKI experience. At the last Paris air show, the Sukhoi-30 was the biggest draw. I doubt if the US will be so open and offering the latest. All the others may at best offer off-the-shelf products and their technology."
Russian officials expect that sale of readymade weapons to India may decline in the next few years, but are hopeful to carry on with a strategic partnership through joint development of weapon systems. Having signed a deal during the air show with Hindustan Aeronautics for licensed production in India of AL-551 aeroengines which will power India’s own intermediate jet trainer project, Russians are pitching strongly for a multi-role transport aircraft deal, currently roadblocked by differences on intellectual property rights protection.
"We have forwarded a draft inter-government agreement on this," said Chemezov. "But it may need legislation both in India and Russia."
But why pitch for India so much? Not only because India is a big buyer, but also because an Indian order is considered a certification for quality in the international market.
No wonder the Russians are pitching for joint development of a futuristic warplane with India. They have made presentations before the Indian defence ministry on this fifth-generation aircraft that may become a reality by 2020.
"The concept stage will start soon," said Fyodorov. "Some Russian companies are looking out for partners. Our preference is India."
looks like russians are putting up a fight with boeing
The fighter jet stops mid-air, turns 360° and fires
By R. Prasannan/Moscow
A helicopter can stay still mid-air. But a fighter plane? No way. The laws of physics and jet propulsion don’t allow that.
Russian engineers have achieved just that. They are offering the plane to India, which is looking for 126 multi-role fighters like the US F-16 and F-18, the French Mirage-2000-V and Swedish Gripen.
"We have responded to India’s request for information, and are awaiting request for a proposal," said Col Mikhail Globenko, the general representative of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG in India.
The aircraft, temporarily called MiG-29M (since it is based on the airframe of the tried and tested MiG-29) and soon to be christened MiG-35, is claimed to be the only aircraft in the world with a thrust vector control that allows it to stop mid-air and manoeuvre 360 degrees.
And it is not just aerobatics to impress kids. "The thrust vector gives the aircraft certain advantages in close combat," said Andrey Karasev, deputy general designer of MiG. "An aircraft that can abruptly change speed and direction does not allow enemy aircraft to leave its firing range."
The manoeuvre, called ‘Bell’, also enables the pilot to stop mid-air and thus prevent himself from entering the enemy plane’s missile firing range. And then he can turn around abruptly in any direction but still fire its missile at the enemy.
A conventional aircraft cannot turn around abruptly; it will have to jet forward, take a long loop and then close in towards the enemy, by which time the enemy would either be waiting for it or have fled. "This is important in close combat," said Alexei Fyodorov, general director of MiG corporation. "This enhances the safety of the pilot and the manoeuvrability of the aircraft. "The pilot can recover from any position with this technology. We have modified the aircraft control system to enable this."
Thrust vector control technology, called OVT in Russian and developed by the Klimov plant and integrated with the RD-33 engine that powered the MiG-29 fighters, was first flight-tested in 2003, but was shown to the public for the first time at the recent MAKS-2005 airshow in Moscow.
But how difficult is it for an IAF pilot, shorter and leaner than a Russian, to master the manoeuvre? "Your pilots are the best in the world," said the lanky Pavel Vlatsov, MiG Corporation’s senior test pilot and winner of ‘Hero of Russia’ honour. "An average pilot can master it in 60 sorties. Perhaps your pilots would need fewer sorties. They have an additional advantage: they are familiar with the MiG-29 cockpit."
The MiG-29 came to India in the 1990s off the Russian shelf as part of what many call the stupidest (not for what was bought, but for what was not bought) of all Indo-Russian war jet deals. The Soviets had offered to sell not only the aircraft but also the technology and licence to manufacture it in India, but India said it wanted only a few readymade planes. Within months of the delivery, the Soviet Union broke up and India faced a severe service and spares problem as no one in India had seen the inside of the aircraft except the cockpit.
The Russians say they can offer the MiG-29M in a Brahmos-like package to India—transfer technology for manufacture within India, and jointly develop the aircraft further and sell it to third countries. "It is a double jump over the Sukhoi deal, so to speak," said a senior official in Rosoboronexport, Russia’s defence export agency. The Sukhoi-30MKI also has thrust vector technology, but is limited to one direction. The technology installed in MiG-29M would allow 360 degree manoeuvrability. And, though the Sukhoi-MKI was developed jointly, there is no provision for joint marketing in the deal.
Indian pilots at the air show were impressed with the plane and its new technology, but "it all depends on what we ask for in terms of avionics, weaponry and of course service support," said an IAF test pilot. Conceded Fyodorov, "IAF has very stiff requirements. We are willing to integrate any system, as the user wants it." MiG officials expect India to ask for Israeli Elta radars, display components from France and weaponry of Russian origin. "We have not frozen the technology specifications," said Fyodorov.
Russians, whose 70 per cent of arms exports are to India and China, are hopeful of beating competition on four counts. One, the competitors are offering old technology which will last only a decade or two whereas the new technology should last at least till 2040. Two, Russia has no problem outsourcing 30 per cent or more of manufacturing to Indian companies. Three, Indian pilots are familiar with MiG-29. Four, among the competitors, Russia alone is offering joint development of a new aircraft and part-rights to sell the plane to third countries. "In future, all projects will be for mutual design, production and marketing," said Fyodorov.
Meanwhile, Russia has set up a service and spares base in India with the recently launched Rosoboronservice (India) Ltd. The company is a venture of Russian manufacturers and vendors and one Indian company.
"The activities of the company range from repairs and maintenance of systems to spare parts supply, training of personnel, etc. It is an initiative to improve product support and make them available at the doorstep of the Indian armed forces," said Commander V.G. Jayaprakasan, managing director of Rosoboronservice (India) Ltd.
Though the new company incorporates only naval vendors, it is expected to take up the responsibility for Russian origin assets of the Air Force, too, "making it Russia’s one-stop shop in India," said a Rosoboronexport official.
Russians concede they no longer enjoy a captive market in India. Israel, with which India had no defence relationship till a few years ago, has become the second largest supplier, beating France.
Now the US has made a dramatic offer of F-16 and F-18 fighters. "Yes, as exporters, we are a bit concerned about India diversifying its defence procurement sources," admitted Sergey Chemezov, director-general of Rosoboronexport. "But we still have the advantage. We always offer state-of-the-art technology, and you know it from the Sukhoi-MKI experience. At the last Paris air show, the Sukhoi-30 was the biggest draw. I doubt if the US will be so open and offering the latest. All the others may at best offer off-the-shelf products and their technology."
Russian officials expect that sale of readymade weapons to India may decline in the next few years, but are hopeful to carry on with a strategic partnership through joint development of weapon systems. Having signed a deal during the air show with Hindustan Aeronautics for licensed production in India of AL-551 aeroengines which will power India’s own intermediate jet trainer project, Russians are pitching strongly for a multi-role transport aircraft deal, currently roadblocked by differences on intellectual property rights protection.
"We have forwarded a draft inter-government agreement on this," said Chemezov. "But it may need legislation both in India and Russia."
But why pitch for India so much? Not only because India is a big buyer, but also because an Indian order is considered a certification for quality in the international market.
No wonder the Russians are pitching for joint development of a futuristic warplane with India. They have made presentations before the Indian defence ministry on this fifth-generation aircraft that may become a reality by 2020.
"The concept stage will start soon," said Fyodorov. "Some Russian companies are looking out for partners. Our preference is India."
looks like russians are putting up a fight with boeing
