What is the life span of a mig? How much life is left on our planes? How will and how much will this upgradation improve the migs life span/effectiveness. ( sorry not military minded so surely have not expressed it correctly but you guys hopefully will understand what I mean)
Life span of a MiG-29 is typically 30 years.
MiG can upgrade the aircraft's lifespan at the customer's request.
They can also modify it by introducing new diagnostics and maintenance systems. They can proceed step by step to increase the fighter's life to 40 years.
In terms of effectiveness, it'll undoubtedly increase after the upgrade.
The SE variant or any legacy variant for that matter cannot use advanced guided air to ground munitions, nor the BVR capable R-77 air to air missile variants (The R-27's we use now are more or less garbage). That of-course coupled with a superior Zhuk-ME radar capable of handling the new tasks.
Weapons include the Kh-31A anti-ship missiles with active radar seekers, the Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, Kh-29TE missiles and KAB-500Kr TV-guided bombs.
When equipped with an external optical/laser targeting pod, the Fulcrum can use the Kh-29L air-to-surface missiles and KAB-500L laser-guided bombs.
This one is the UOMZ Sapsan E Electro-Optical Targeting System pod:
The upgrade will also increase internal fuel capacity. Internal fuel capacity can be increased by 950 liters through an addition of a strap-on tank behind the cockpit.
I like to call this "The Hunchback"
The capacity of the external fuel tank has increased up to 2,000 liters. Ferry range with three external fuel tanks and two R-73 air-to-air missiles (for self-defense) has increased up to 3,100 km, and with one in-flight refueling the range will be 5,400 km. Also, the aircraft has been equipped with an improved fuel system featuring a new digital fuel metering system.
The cockpit will follow the HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) concept.
What Does "HOTAS" Mean?
http://lockon.co.uk/upload/iblock/0fc/profile_chart.jpg
Two full-color liquid crystal multi-function displays are used. Compliance of the digital devices with the ÌIL-STD-1553B standard means that the aircraft can be completed with optional Russian- or foreign-made equipment and airborne weapons depending on the particular customer's requirements and financial capabilities.
I believe a "glass cockpit" may be possible.
So is the SMT upgrade worth it? A definite yes! It will be far more effective than the original MiG-29. The only thing is that it'll look..."fatter".
It'll essentially become a multi-role plane.
The indian migs had a lifespan of 25 years, once upgraded(depends on the type of upgrade though) it is said that its lifespan will increase to 40 years.
source:
We’ve no problem with MiG 29s: Air Marshal - Indian Express
If we go by these source, i think our migs still have a quite a bit of life left, since it was bought in 1999.
Since loki's article didnt mention the types of upgrade, or will it be upgraded to SMT, i am not really sure what improvements we will be getting
India started procuring its Fulcrums in batches way back in the early 80's.