Mikoyan MiG-AT
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The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-AT is a Russian trainer aircraft that first flew in 1996, selected to replace Aero L-29 and L-39 for the Russian Air Force. While "AT" stands for "advanced trainer", this is only in English.
[edit] Design
The MiG-AT is more conventional than the competing Yak-130. It has a low-set, straight wing, engines mounted on either side of the fuselage and a mid-mounted tail. Two prototypes have been built, with orders hoped to exceed 1,200 by the manufacturer. The first flight took place between March 16 and 22 1996 in Zhukovsky and lasted seven minutes. Up to 20 were built or started production by September, 1996.
The MiG-ATF has French engines, and is also being developed in cooperation with the South-Korean Daewoo.
The MiG-AT aircraft is developed by the RAC "MiG" in the framework of the international project involving the French SNECMA and TURBOMECA companies (power plant) and THALES AVIONICS (airborne equipment). On the Russian side, involved into the program are the largest aircraft enterprises and research centers, including GOSNIIAS (avionics integration and software), TSAGI (project aerodynamics), ZVEZDA (K-93L ejection seat), M. Gromov LII (flight tests).
The MiG-AT trainer embodies a number of in-principle novelties. Namely, this trainer aircraft, first in Russia and in the whole world, is equipped with a digital three-channel fourfold redundant fly-by-wire system of national design. This new system is a vital element for the set-up of contemporary training system which makes possible to vary the aircraft controllability characteristics, thus simulating the flight behavior of agile fighter and heavy ground attack aircraft. Consequently, one type of trainer can be used for training the pilots of different aircraft classes and makes possible to significantly reduce the cost of military and civil pilots training.
The fly-by-wire system has one more distinguishing feature, it enables the airborne computer to monitor the flight envelope and prevent the critical flight conditions and thus enhances flight safety in the event of pilot's erroneous actions.
The MiG-AT trainer is the first aircraft equipped with the K-93L unique reduced-weight ejection seat - modified version of the K-36 seat. The specific features of the K-93L ejection seat developed by the ZVEZDA joint-stock company are as follows: the possibility of pilots ejection at V=0, H=0, in inverted flight, at minimum altitude of 50 m; minimum time of ejection (about 1 s) and the possibility of ejection through the cockpit canopy glazing.
The MiG-AT trainer is powered by two turbofan engines, type LARZAC 04R20, with thrust of 1430 kgf, produced by the SNECMA company. Nowadays, the Russian and French specialists work at uprating the LARZAC engine thrust to 1700 kgf.
The SOYUZ Machine-Building Plant of Tushino is busy with developing the RD-1700 engine that now undergoes bench tests.
The trainer can be equipped both with the French TopFlight system produced by the THALES Avionics company and with the avionics of Russian design. The ergonomic design of the trainer cockpit corresponds to the fighters of the "4" and "4+" generations. The display system employs color liquid-crystal indicators. The cockpit controls are designed to suit the HOTAS concept.
The trainer performance satisfying the up-to-date demands, high thrust-to-weight ratio, avionics of "4+" generation and open architecture, digital fly-by-wire system and ground training system facilities make possible to sharply reduce the time and cost of pilots training for such aircraft as MiG-29, Su-27, Mirage-2000, Rafale, Typhoon, F-15, F-16, F-18.
Besides the trainer version, the MiG-AT family can include a combat-trainer version, light tactical single-seat aircraft, carrier-based trainer version and patrol single-seat aircraft.
The MiG-AT trainer can be converted into the MiG-ATC combat trainer version that is equipped with the multimode radar and tailored for use of guided and unguided weapons at air, ground and sea-surface targets.
At the Customer's request, the Manufacturer can install avionics and weapons of national systems, create special versions and grant licenses for the trainer production.
The MiG-AT trainer program provides for: · Training of pilots at all stages, including primary, basic and advanced training to satisfy the lead-in fighter requirements; · High flight safety and reliability; · Easy operation and low DOCs; · Proven engines and avionics that have passed certification and confirmed their effectiveness on other types of aircraft; · Simulators, mission-planning and post-flight mission analysis systems built around computers and integrated with the trainer; · The trainer maintenance system relies on the scientific-production potential of the RAC "MiG" and the existing infrastructure of the Snecma Group, Snecma Moteurs, Turbomeca and THALES AVIONICS.
Performance data:
[edit] External links
The initial version of this article was based on material from aviation.ru. It has been released under the GFDL by the copyright holder.
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