MiG-29G (Germany)
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Contents
Description
After the re-unification of Germany, the Luftwaffe liquidated or scrapped almost all of the Soviet-made NVA aircraft they had inherited. The notable exception was the MiG-29s, which not only were a valuable asset for NATO in dissimilar combat training, but as testing shortly afterwards showed, were superior to most fighters in service with NATO at the time. As such, it was decided to keep the MiG-29s in Luftwaffe service, and to extend their life by replacing parts and upgrading avionics to meet NATO standards and certifications. The resulting project was the MiG-29G. To integrate these aircraft into NATO operations, The MiG-29G had been upgraded with NATO-compatible communication and navigation systems, making it fully interoperable with NATO forces. The MiG-29G was also equipped with Western avionics. The aircraft was designed to operate in a multi-role capacity, capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. This German MiG-29 variant, with its blend of Eastern airframe prowess and Western technology, represented a unique fusion of capabilities that set it apart from its older Soviet counterparts and made it a valuable asset for NATO.
The ◄MiG-29 (9-12G), introduced in Update "Kings of Battle", is a major step in advancement from its counterparts in War Thunder. The main upgrade in this variant is the availability of the R-27ET1 and R-73E missiles which its older predecessor, the MiG-29 (9.12) lacked. The true advantage in this model lies in its airframe type; while the older East German MiG-29 and its Soviet counterpart, the MiG-29 (9.13) lack the advanced R-73 and R-27ET missiles in-game, the MiG-29G acts as a "next generation" equivalent (and direct sidegrade) to the Russian MiG-29SMT. While the MiG-29G lacks the upgraded ground ordnance, increased countermeasure count, expanded fuel capacity, and new radar system of the MiG-29SMT, it also lacks the main drawback of the SMT: the massive increase in weight turning the SMT into a "missile bus" compared to previous MiG-29s. The MiG-29G as such is essentially just the older 9.12 that players are already familiar with, but now with new and upgraded missiles to enhance its lethality in aerial combat.
General info
Flight performance
Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.
| Characteristics | Max speed (km/h at _,___ m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | ___ | ___ | 16000 | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | ___ |
| Upgraded | ___ | ___ | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 0 | 700 | ___ | ___ | ___ | ~__ | ~__ |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < ___ | < ___ | < ___ | - |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | |||
| _____ | _ | _,___ kg | ___ kg/m2 | |||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Gross Weight | ||||
| Weight (each) | Type | _m fuel | __m fuel | __m fuel | ||
| ___ kg | ___ | _,___ kg | _,___ kg | _,___ kg | _,___ kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP) | |||||
| Condition | 100% | ___%/WEP | _m fuel | __m fuel | __m fuel | MGW |
| Stationary | ___ kgf | ___ kgf | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
| Optimal | ___ kgf (_ km/h) |
___ kgf (_ km/h) |
_.__ | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
Survivability and armour
Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
Offensive armament
The MiG-29G (Germany) is armed with:
- 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, cheek-mounted (150 rpg)
- 60 x countermeasures
Suspended armament
The MiG-29G (Germany) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| Default weapon presets | |
|---|---|
| |
Usage in battles
The MiG-29G is a very efficient air superiority plane. It is based on the MiG-29A variants. One can say it is the same plane. The main difference between it and the early A variants is the addition of the R-73E and R-27ET missiles. The export R-73E is just an export of the R-73 with a few extra degrees of offbore, and the R-27ET is the longer range variant of the R-27T, similar to how the R-27ER is to the R-27R. It is a direct upgrade, comprised of the best of all worlds.
In Air Realistic Battles, the MiG-29G has multiple possible playstyles, which it can easly fit into due to its overall versatility. It is not the best in Ground RB due to it's non existent guided munitions. However it can be used as a superiority fighter in GRB, where the Stealth and Close range playstyles that are described below would work best, due to the nature of GRB where there are no markers.
- Long Range BVR - This playstyle uses the famous R-27ER missile, capable of hitting enemies at up to 40km, and 30-35km reliably in Air RB matches. This playstyle can also work identically on MiG-29A's due to their similar weight, thrust, radar and armament. If you want to play like this, you need to climb as much as you can during a match, and use your radar to find enemies high up and then fire the R-27ER upwards, so it gains more speed. The MiG-29SMT would technically be better at this due to its radar, which can look directly left and right, meaning you can notch while guiding missiles, but the additional weight of the SMT makes it arguably worse, since it can't climb as high and as fast as the MiG-29A or G, limiting the range and speed of the R-27ER, or how early you can fire them. In general, this playstyle is quite hard to nail down, because for example, an enemy F-14B has powerful engines, and can launch AGM-54s before you can even see him on the MiG-29's radar. not to forget they can also guide onto you without the F-14 locking you. After you have fired your R-27ER slightly upwards, you should start pulling to one side, so the enemy missiles start turning, and after around 5-10 seconds, you should pull the complete other direction, to further bleed the energy of enemy missiles coming at you. You need to do this while ensuring that the enemy remains locked. if you lose lock, it will be hard to re acquire lock due to the slightly primitive nature of the MiG-29G's radar. After you kill or miss, you should change direction again, and then continuing your match however you wish.
- Close quarters - This playstyle is quite simple. It means taking 6x R-73E missiles, going straight into the "furball" and shooting missiles at enemies. There is not much theory or many tips about this one. You should always try to lead the R-73E's even though they have thrust vectoring. You should always fire them from the sides or rear aspects only to maximize your chance of scoring a hit. Front Aspect can work at extreme close range, but in general above 500m one flare in front aspect is too much for the R-73E's IRCCM. it works best at below 1km in side aspect and 1.5km in rear aspect, where the missiles becomes nearly un-flareable. You should always check your surroundings and keep good situational awareness to survive in the furball. The amazing manoeuvrability of the MiG-29G also makes gun kills quite easy. You should always try to use your gun wherever you can rather than missiles. the R-73's will have a very hard time hitting below 500m at low speed, during manoeuvering.
- Another variation of the Close quarters playstyle - Taking 2x R-27ER missiles, and 4x R-73E missiles. You still don't need to have the radar on alerting enemies of your existance, but you should keep it on the "HMD" setting, letting you lock players without using "SRC". Firing the R-27ER missiles at targets coming at you, which are not hugging the ground are generally free kills. just remember you should fire the R-27ER between 4.5km and 8km so the enemy has no chance to escape. If used correctly this can grant you 2 free kills.
- Stealth - This is more of a "fun" playstyle, which increases the difficulty of getting kills. It involves using 2x R-27ET, along with the standard 4x R-73E missiles. In this playstyle you should only use the IRST of the MiG-29. Searching and Locking enemies with the IRST does not alert them, therefore you can find and sneak up on players who are flanking or are not paying attention. This "playstyle" involves flanking while using the IRST to find enemies before they find you on the flanks. staying low ensures you won't be targeted by the enemies trying to do BVR (they can see you, but you are just not a good target. If they fire at you, staying low also ensures the proxi of the enemy missile won't detonate due to being too close to the ground). Due to how spotting works in this game, enemies can see you at around 6.84km for a lvl 75 expert pilot. Your IRST can see enemies in front aspect at a maximum range between 5km and 12km. 5km for a non afterburning target with low engine temperature, and about 12 for very hot targets, that are also afterburning. it becomes up to 35km in rear aspect. After flanking the furball, you can climb to around 6km, and start firing R-27ET's from above enemies that are not fighting. This ensures they are unlikely to look directly up at you, unlikely to drop flares (the IRCCM of the R-27ET is good, but is useless at long range due to the FOV nature if it). The missile is also unlikely to lock onto a friendly players that passes to close aswell. keep in mind the R-27ET has the same flight performance of the R-27ER, it's range is limited by the seeker. This playstyle is generally for when you are bored of firing easy missiles and want a bit of a switch, requiring a more interesting approach. This is not efficient or recommender if you want to spade the plane, or want to get as much RP as possible.
The MiG-29G remains one very efficient and scary plane to face. It has a good arsenal of reliable weapons, along with good flight performance, an HMD, and IRST. It is a very fun plane to fly and a real apex predator that can fill most if not all air superiority roles.
*The MiG-29G is the only MiG-29 in game that has the english voice "Betty". There are situations where Betty can tell you of an approaching enemy, missile, or is telling you useful things, which can help you in battle, so it might be a good idea to keep the RWR voice enabled.
Pros and cons
Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".
Pros:
- Light Airframe - it has the same flight performance of the early MiG-29's
- R-73E missiles - they are very superior and reliable. Best dogfighting and close range missile in game.
- R-27 missiles - ER is very reliable at long range
- Manoeuvrability - Easly one of the most manoeuvrable planes, which allow you to throw it in the air in ways other planes can't handle.
- Engine power - Extremely powerful engines that allow you to climb fast, and stay in doghfights for however long you need.
Cons:
- Missiles - R-73E is not good at long range due to how it's IRCCM works. R-27ET can very easly go for flares or friendly targets when fired from long range.
- Fuel - Very very fuel hungry. You need to use a drop tank if you wish to use the afterburner often, or if you want endurance.
- Pilot - A low level pilot with low G-tolerance and stamina will severely handicap the MiG-29, making it hard to sustain turns at high speeds.
- Radar - You don't have a radar that can compete with the Western fighters in range, features and SRC/ACM "zones".
- Countermeasures - You are limited to 60 countermeasures total, which is very few when compared to other top tier planes.
- RWR - Primitive RWR. Works with "zones" and doesn't tell you what is locking you, like western RWR's.
History
The Mikoyan MiG-29G, a variant of the famed MiG-29 fighter jet, has a rich history marked by its development, deployment, and combat use, reflecting the evolving landscape of military aviation and geopolitical dynamics.
The MiG-29, developed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan Design Bureau in the 1970s, was a direct response to the American F-15 and F-16 fighters. It was designed to be a highly maneuverable air superiority fighter, boasting advanced avionics and weapons systems for its time. With a twin-engine setup and a distinctive leading-edge root extension (LERX), the MiG-29 quickly became known for its agility and speed.
The MiG-29G variant emerged in a unique context. After the reunification of Germany in 1990, the Luftwaffe inherited several MiG-29s from the East German Air Force. These aircraft, which were originally the MiG-29A variant, underwent substantial modifications to meet NATO standards, resulting in the designation MiG-29G. This transition symbolized a significant moment in military aviation history, as it marked the integration of a quintessentially Soviet fighter jet into a Western military alliance.
The modifications included upgrading avionics, communication systems, and the integration of NATO-compatible Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems. These changes not only enhanced the aircraft's operational capabilities but also facilitated interoperability with NATO forces, a crucial aspect during joint exercises and missions.
In terms of combat usage, the MiG-29G's legacy is less about direct engagement in warfare and more about its role in fostering post-Cold War military collaboration. The aircraft participated in numerous NATO exercises, serving as a valuable tool for Western pilots to train against a platform that was once an adversary's frontline fighter. These exercises provided NATO pilots with a rare opportunity to understand the capabilities and limitations of Soviet-era aircraft, contributing immensely to tactical knowledge and combat preparedness.
Moreover, the MiG-29G played a significant role in diplomatic and defense relations, symbolizing a bridge between former rivals. The jet's presence in NATO air forces represented a tangible outcome of the political thaw following the Cold War, showcasing how erstwhile adversaries could collaborate in a new world order.
In conclusion, the story of the MiG-29G is not just about a fighter jet's technical evolution; it's a narrative that intertwines with the broader historical context of the late 20th century. It reflects the transition from Cold War tensions to an era of cooperation and mutual understanding, illustrating how military technology can transcend its original intent and become a symbol of changing times.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the aircraft;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
| Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (Микоя́н и Гуре́вич Опытное конструкторское бюро) | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34 |
| I-225 | |
| Jet fighters | MiG-9 · MiG-9 (l) |
| MiG-15 · MiG-15bis · MiG-15bis ISh | |
| MiG-17 | |
| MiG-19PT | |
| MiG-21F-13 · MiG-21PFM · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-21SMT · MiG-21bis | |
| MiG-23M · MiG-23ML · MiG-23MLD | |
| MiG-27M · MiG-27K | |
| MiG-29 · MiG-29SMT | |
| Export/Licensed | ␗MiG-9 · ␗MiG-9 (l) |
| ◊MiG-15bis · ◔MiG-15bis · J-2* | |
| MiG-17AS · ◔MiG-17PF · J-4* · Shenyang F-5* | |
| ◊MiG-19S · J-6A* | |
| ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◊MiG-21MF · ◔MiG-21MF · ▄MiG-21bis · ◔MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M" · ▄MiG-21 Bison · J-7II** | |
| ◊MiG-23BN · ◊MiG-23MF · ◔MiG-23MF · ◊MiG-23MLA | |
| ◔MiG-29 · ◊MiG-29 · ◄MiG-29G | |
| *Licensed and domesticated with Chinese designations. | |
| **Unlicensed, reverse-engineered and domesticated with Chinese designations. | |
| See Also | Shenyang · Chengdu |
| Germany jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
|
Luftwaffe |
| He 162 | He 162 A-1 · He 162 A-2 |
| Me 163 | Me 163 B · Me 163 B-0 |
| Ho 229 | Ho 229 V3 |
| Ar 234 | Ar 234 B-2 · Ar 234 C-3 |
| Me 262 | Me 262 A-1a · Me 262 A-1a/Jabo · Me 262 A-1a/U1 · Me 262 A-1/U4 · Me 262 A-2a |
| Me 262 C-1a · Me 262 C-2b | |
|
LSK |
| Fighters | ◊MiG-15bis · ◊Lim-5P · ◊MiG-19S |
| ◊MiG-21MF · ◊MiG-21bis-SAU · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M" | |
| ◊MiG-29 | |
| Attackers | ◊MiG-23BN · ◊MiG-23MF · ◊MiG-23MLA |
| ◊Su-22UM3K · ◊Su-22M4 | |
| ◊IL-28 | |
|
Luftwaffe |
| F-84 | ◄F-84F |
| F-86 | ◄CL-13A Mk 5 · ◄CL-13B Mk.6 · ◄F-86K |
| F-104 | ◄F-104G |
| F-4 | ◄F-4F Early · ◄F-4F · ◄F-4F KWS LV |
| G.91 | ◄G.91 R/3 · ◄G.91 R/4 |
| Tornado | ◄Tornado IDS WTD61 · ◄Tornado IDS MFG · ◄Tornado IDS ASSTA1 |
| Other | Alpha Jet A · ◄Sea Hawk Mk.100 |
| Ex-LSK | ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◄MiG-29G · ◄Su-22M4 WTD61 |
|
Swiss Air Force |
| ◌Hunter F.58 · FFA P-16 | |
