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From ACIG.org ACIG Special Reports
MIRAGES AND MIGS  A Mirage-2000H 'Vajra' (KF-105) of the No.7 'Tigers' squadron. The type has earned a formidable reputation in the IAF thanks to it's reliability, maintability and combat performance during the Kargil war.  The superb loadout includes a Matra Magic-II training round (right) and a DB-3136 Remora ECM pod on the outer underwing pylons plus a Belouga CBU and a Matra Super-530D BVRAAM on the central underwing pylons. On the starboard inner pylon is seen an Atlis-II LDP and the related Matra BGL-1000 LGB is on the centerline rail. It must be noted that it is somewhat rare to see an earlier generation Mirage-2000 armed with LGBs. IAF Vajras are also compatible with the Vympel R-73 AAMs and R-27R1 BVRAAMs if needed.  Joint exercises and extensive mock combat took place between the IAF Mirage-2000Hs and the French ADA Mirage-2000Cs of the Escadron de Chasse 1/12 ‘Cambresis’, from the 6th to the 17th of February 2003. The exercise also involved Jaguar-ISs, MiG-23UMs, MiG-27MLs and MiG-21Us from TACDE, which also saw DACM against the French Mirages.  One of the latest entrants is the MiG-21 Bison (formerly known as the MiG-21-93/UPG), the ultimate upgrade to the ageing MiG-21bis in order to bring it up to modern standards. The upgrade mainly revolves around the Phazotron Kopyo-M radar and integrated BVR attack capability with R-77 BVRAAMs. Other features include a SURA HMS, a semi-glass cockpit and a Sextant Totem-3000 Ring laser gyro nav. system with GPS, to mention a few. Note the conformal countermeasure dispensers, the new Tarang RWR's antennae on the tailfin and the single piece windshield.  This MiG-21 Bison (CU-2252) is from the No.3 'Cobras' squadron. It's loadout includes the not so commonly seen seeker module of the KAB-500Kr TV guided bomb on the centerline pylon not to mention an R-73 training round and an R-77 BVRAAM carried underwing. The aircraft's sophisticated EW suite comprises of a DRDO Tarang RWR/RHAWS, "Tempest" internal Self-protection jammer (SPJ) and the conformal CMDS.  Apart from the new nose-cone, the forward fuselage needed some modification/extension to accommodate the new Kopyo-M radar. Apparently this modification does not feature on the MiG-21-93s which were photographed over Russia during their testing phase, giving the impression of larger nose-cones on the latter.  No show would be proper without the participation of the fabulous Fulcrum. This MiG-29A (KB-3111) from the No.28 'First Supersonics' squadron sports two R-27R1 BVRAAMs and four R-73 training rounds. With some difficulty, IAF MiG-29s were made compatible with Matra Magic-II and Super-530D AAMs. The actual deployment of those weapons on the type, remains uncertain.  Another one for the collection!  From the first generation, we move on to the next generation! The MiG-29M and the pictured MiG-29M2 are what the MiG-29s should have been in the first place. Strangely, Sukhoi did'nt fly any of it's aircraft from russia to the show.  The associated armament display includes Vympel R-27ET1, R-77 and R-73 AAMs, the Kh-35 AsHM, the Kh-31P ARM and the KAB-500Kr PGM. THE NEXT GEN HINDS  A pilot hands over a helmet and it's mounted sight to the gunner. IAF Mi-35s underwent an extensive upgrade in Israel, mainly to enhance their night fighting capabilities. The associated gyro stabilized turret holding a FLIR, CCD camera and laser rangefinder, can be seen on the starboard side of the chin. The aircraft's self-defense suite and cockpit environment have also been taken to the next generation. In the distance, one can just about make out the only American aircraft to participate in the event - a lone Bell 407+.  IAF Mi-35s will receive the Nag ATGM once it becomes available. These helicopters have an additional and unusual role of 'dumb bombing' as well. © Copyright 2002-3 by ACIG.org |