Ukrainian MiG-29MU2

The modernization of the MiG-29 aircraft was developed at the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant according to the terms of reference of the State Aviation Research Institute. According to the first variant of modernization, the fighter is being refined to perform air defense functions, and in the second – to work on ground targets and thus support ground operations. The modernization work includes overhaul of the aircraft and its units according to the technical condition. Modernization of the MiG-29MU1 includes upgrading of the radar station, installation of a new on-board radio navigation complex of satellite navigation, control and registration system of the technical condition of the aircraft, etc.

More than ten domestic enterprises of the defense-industrial complex, both public and private, were involved in the implementation. For example, in addition to the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant, six other co-contractors were involved in the modernization of the previous version, and the cost of work for one aircraft is about UAH 100 million per aircraft.

The completion of state tests of the Soviet fighter upgraded to the MiG-29MU2 version was expected by the end of 2021, Militarny informs with reference to the information given by the director of the Lviv State Aviation Repair Plant Dmytro Matrunchyk. The result of the work would be the adoption of a multi-role fighter that can use guided weapons of the “air-to-ground” class. Such weapons include corrected KAB-500KR aerial bombs with a homing television head and X-29T missiles. They have already been tested for ground training purposes at the Povursk airfield in the Kovel district in the spring of 2020.

On the MiG-29MU2, it is possible to install missile-bomb weapons with television homing heads of the Kh-29T and KAB-500KR types. Previously, the MiG-29 fighter could, with little success, work on targets on the ground only with unguided missiles and aircraft guns. In addition, the modernization of the MiG-29MU2 aircraft received a "glass cockpit", i.e. analog indicators were replaced with digital ones. The MiG-29MU2 aircraft is equipped with VOR, ILS, and DME systems — on-board equipment that will enable automatic landing control and flights on international routes.

The Command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine concluded a contract with the SE "Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant" (SE "LDARZ") (part of the DK "Ukroboronprom") for the repair of the MiG-29UB fighter for the amount of about UAH 62 million. It was previously reported that the company handed over another MiG-29MU1 fighter jet to the Armed Forces after overhaul and modernization. This plant fulfilled the state defense order for 2021.

The modernization of the MiG-29 aircraft was developed at the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant according to the terms of reference of the State Aviation Research Institute. More than ten domestic enterprises of the defense-industrial complex, both public and private, were involved in the implementation. For example, in addition to the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant, six other co-contractors were involved in the modernization of the previous version, and the cost of work for one aircraft is about UAH 100 million per aircraft.

During the major overhaul and serial modernization to the level of the MiG-29MU1, the fighter increased the detection range of air targets, improved the accuracy of the aircraft's departure to a given point, and expanded the capabilities of monitoring and recording functional parameters of the technical condition of the aircraft, engine and a number of on-board systems. It was repeatedly written about in the mass media. However, the MiG-29MU2 became a rather interesting modernization option. It is multi-purpose and capable of hitting both air and ground targets.

The modernization work includes overhaul of the aircraft and its units according to the technical condition. Modernization of the MiG-29MU1 includes upgrading of the radar station, installation of a new on-board radio navigation complex of satellite navigation, control and registration system of the technical condition of the aircraft, etc. That is, in fact, according to the first variant of modernization, the fighter is being refined to perform air defense functions, and in the second – to work on ground targets and thus support ground operations.

The MiG-29MU1 is used as the basis for the MiG-29MU2. After all stages of modernization, the MiG-29MU2 has the ability to launch air-to-surface missiles and use guided aerial bombs. In addition, the MiG-29MU2 has improved the aircraft's navigation systems, which allows for navigation and landing based on GLONASS/GPS satellite signals, VOR/DME and ILS radio beacons. The use of the nomenclature of aviation means of destruction with munitions with television homing heads has also been expanded, and the nomenclature of removable weapon units has been supplemented. In addition, the aircraft protection systems were improved, a new interference emission system was installed, as well as audio and video recording systems and an electronic programmable control panel for the on-board radio station.

After all stages of modernization, the MiG-29MU2 has the ability to launch air-to-surface missiles and use guided aerial bombs. In addition, the MiG-29MU2 has improved aircraft navigation systems, which allows for navigation and landing based on GLONASS/GPS satellite signals, VOR/DME and ILS radio beacons.

According to director Dmytro Matrunchyk, LDARZ is the only enterprise in Ukraine that repairs and modernizes MiG-29s for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This fighter is the main combat aircraft of the Armed Forces. Of course, repairs and modernization are carried out in cooperation with many enterprises of the defense-industrial complex of Ukraine : State Enterprise "Orizon-Navigation" , State Enterprise "Novator" , Kiev JSC "Fazotron-Ukraine" , State Enterprise "KB Laser Technology", KP St. Petersburg "Arsenal" , OJSC NTK "Electronprilad" , LLC "AVIARM" and LLC TTC "Aviaradioservice", as well as Lviv OKB "Tekon-Electron". In addition to the mentioned partner enterprises, the Lutsk Repair Plant "Motor" SE, which repairs engines, and the Odesa Aviation Plant SE, which restores the box of aircraft units, also participate in the fighter modernization program.

The production of ILS-31 and NVU-2M glass products, as well as the production of the brake parachute earring together with the "Tokmacki Forging and Stamping Plant" has been mastered in cooperation with the SE "Izyum Instrumentation Plant". In cooperation with PJSC "Tokmacki Forging and Stamping Plant", a branch of SE Antonov "Serial Plant Antonov" and PJSC "Dniprospetsstal" mastered the production of the wheel axle (a particularly responsible part) of the main landing gear of the MiG-29 aircraft.

The management of SE "LDARZ" uses all available opportunities to update the technical park. For example, the AVIAturn 35 turning processing center, the HURCO VM10i three-axis vertical processing center, and the Diana-4.6M automated diagnostic complexes were purchased. DC "Diana-4.6M" is designed for diagnostics and finding faults in complex digital-analog nodes of electronic equipment, which is based on TTL-CMOS-ESL logic. Currently, programs for checking the serviceability of 38 types of electronic boards have been developed.

The repair of the aircraft begins with its acceptance at the company's flight test station and subsequent preliminary inspection and disassembly at the repair station in the workshop. Here it is washed and removable parts, assembled and delivered to the appropriate repair shops LiD, AO, REO, AOz. During the repair of the aircraft's airframe, its technical condition is analyzed, the power pack and skin are repaired, and the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft are completely restored. Also, a set of industry bulletins is being implemented in order to restore the resource indicators of the aircraft and increase reliability.

During the final phase, the aircraft undergoes final testing at the flight test station: both ground and flight tests. Control of work parameters is carried out with the help of "Tester" and "Berkut" automated information processing consoles. After test flights, the aircraft is handed over to the customer.