Mig-29m OVT

MiG-29 OVT / Fulcrum “F”

At the Moscow MAKS airshow in 2001, RSK MiG unveiled a demonstrator with vectored-thrust nozzles. This aircraft, a modification of the sixth MiG-29M prototype, is designated the MiG-29OVT (Otklanyayemi Vektor Tyagi / Deflected Thrust Vector)”, and its RD-33 engines are to fitted with Klimov-designed nozzles that can rotate up to 15 degrees in any direction. It also has wingtip launch rails for short-range AAMs. Compared to the MiG-29 the MiG-29 OVT has increased range of more than 2,100 kilometres, improved avionics, vast improvements in weapon systems, HOTAS systems, wide range of weapons of air to air and air to ground, as well as a variety of defensive and offensive avionics suite. The engines have been moved backwards to make more room for fuel in the fuselage.

The MiG-29 OVT, is powered by a newly developed engine that offers an advanced level of manoeuvrability. The new engine’s secret lies in the design of the nozzles at the back of the plane, which move in all directions, allowing advanced steering capability. The MiG-29 OVT is the latest version of the MiG-29 jet, which has been on the market for several years. The “all-axis nozzles dramatically increase manoeuvrability, especially at low and zero speed,” Vladimir Barkovsky, chief of MiG’s design bureau told reporters. The demonstration of the new engine, known as the RD 33, was the culmination of several years’ work. MiG started work on developing a new all-axis nozzle in the late 1990s, Barkovsky said. To date, MiG has invested several million dollars in its development.

Production version of the latest MiG-29 with the proven thrust-vectoring engine that use fly-by-wire technology. The aircraft uses the same airframe of the MiG-29M1. The fighter is more agile and has an increase in range to 1,329 statute miles (2,139 km). With improved avionics, vast improvements in weapon systems, HOTAS systems, wide range of weapons of air to air and air to ground, as well as a variety of defensive and offensive avionics suite. It is no longer tied to the GCI system and would be able to conduct operations independently. It has eight weapon pylons and be able to refuel as well as carry three external fuel tanks. The aircraft is being marketed under the designation MiG-35 for potential export.

Many people still thing that 5th generation airplanes are the way to go… they are stealthy, expensive, and much less maneuverable that 4th generation airplanes that we can see are being developed in Russia.

One of those planes is MiGs thrust vectoring test platform MiG-29M OVT which has 3D thrust vectoring and there are no words that can describe what this airplane can do in the air… so, just watch it 😉

And as you can always expect from me, a gallery of some nice higher resolution photos: