One the main criticism directed to the MiG-29 was the lack of range. Before 1989 this issue was not well known, but it became clear when Luftwaffe inherited the Fulcrum fleet from East Germany. During the exercises the Fulcrum had to fly back to base before their counterparts due to lack of fuel. Many pilots regretted that no major upgrade was carried out, but the Fulcrum fleet carried on operating in a rather basic configuration until they were donated to Poland.
The issue was well known to MiG, even before the Fulcrum entered service. Soviet requirements stated a range of 800 kms with internal fuel and 2.750 at high altitude with a drop tank. The first version (9.12) managed 700 and 2.100 respectively. The drop tank was specifically designed for MiG-29 in order to prevent excessive drag.
The table below shows the fuel volume for different MiG-29 versions. Designations can be confusing because there have been 2 generations of MiG-29M and K. I used volume and not weight because the latter is usually a conversion of the former, and different densities are used (even in the same book).
Table 1: Fuel load in different MiG-29 variants. Click to enlarge.
The first improved variant was 9.13, easily identifiable by its “hunchback” configuration. It was added to increase the internal volume. In the original design it was difficult to do so because the auxiliary air inlet doors took a lot of space. The wing internal pylons were modified so 2 extra drop tanks could be used. These modifications led to an increase in fuel of more than 40%.
MiG-29M 9.15 is usually known as a second generation Fulcrum. In the 90s it was renamed MiG-33 for marketing reasons. MiG made extensive modifications. New alloys and composite materials were used, which led to an increase of 35% in internal fuel. MiG-29K was based on this variant and had a similar fuel load.
MiG-29SMT 9.17 and 9.18 were modernized variants created in the late 90s. 9.17 received two new fuel tanks with 1400 and 480 liters, which led to that massive spine. According to test pilots, it was too heavy. Internal fuel was 43% superior to 9.12, and 72% for total (internal+external).
MiG-29SMT 9.18 had a smaller deposit in the spine. This version has been sold to a few countries in different configurations…
The final versions of MiG-29M/K derive from the MiG-29M 9.15, thus fuel capacity is similar. MiG-29M and M2 were unified as MiG-35. A few months ago MiG-35 with 4 drop tanks were seen together with a refuelling kit.
References:
- Famous Russian Aircraft Mikoyan MiG-29, de Y. Gordon, Midland Publishing (2006).
