MiG-29M

Multi-Role AT Cluster Bomber

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by  Pijove pijove

Posted on July 22, 2020

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MiG-29M was the first new-generation MiG-29 and would incorporate redesigned air intakes and significant changes to the airframe. In addition radar absorbent materials (RAM) reduced the frontal radar cross-section (RCS) of the aircraft tenfold. In Wargame some of these features are reflected in the stats in comparison to other MiG-29 variants.

MiG-29M stats
MiG-29M stats

Stats

Overview of MiG-29M (Fig.)

  • ECM: 40% is very good
  • Air Detection: Exceptional, is great.
  • Speed: 900km/h, is ok but other Blufor ASF (1,00km/h) can chase it.
  • Turn Radius: 250, is extremely good (Fig.) ASF have 300 or greater
Turn Radius comparion of MiG-29M (250) & Su-27S (300)
Turn Radius comparion of MiG-29M (250) & Su-27S (300)
  • Stealth: Medium, actual value is misleading, (Poor=1, Medium=1.5, MiG-29M=1.25)
  • T.O.T: 135s, very good.
  • Year: 1989, so no ERA decks.
  • Type: Every deck type except ‘Marine’
  • Prototyped: No

Weapons

GSh-301 (Main Cannon)

GSh-301 vs helicopter
GSh-301 vs helicopter

A strafing run, vs infantry can cause 2-3hp worth of damage. (Destroyed a Fernspaher recon unit trying to infiltrate once) Against a helicopter, a maximum of 4hp if the helicopter is flying away from you’re attacking direction (Fig.). Other vectors can be difficult for the plane to aim at.

RBK-500 (Cluster)

RBK-500 Cluster bomb test against multiple AI M60 Tanks
RBK-500 Cluster bomb test against multiple AI M60 Tanks

A payload of 4 bombs can destroy multiple units with ‘2’ top armour (Fig.). A ‘4’ top armour unit an be destroyed by a pair of MiG-29M in a single run. Cluster bombs can hit flying helicopters. [Note: bombing runs stat max range is 3500m, but the unit evacs near the target]

R-77 Vympel (Anti-Plane Missile)

R-77 Vympel missile launched and before hit.
R-77 Vympel missile launched and before hit.

R-77 is the best Redfor [F&F] anti-plane missile (Fig.). 2 hits are required to destroy planes. 4x long range AA Missiles, is very good as it means even if you miss a missile you can still take out the target plane. (Looking at you, E-Ger & POL MiG-29)

Veterancy (To Spam or not to spam, that is the question?)

R-77 Trained & Elite accuracy probability against a 50% ECM target
R-77 Trained & Elite accuracy probability against a 50% ECM target

twice the number of planes means half the chase/exposure time. Someone can myth bust if this correct of not (Fig.). Looking at the ‘hidden stats’ spread sheet, firing a R-77 against a 50% ECM plane there is only 7.2% difference on the probability to hit between a trained and elite unit, according to the SAM calculator. Using this data for binomial probability (https://www.gigacalculator.com/calculators/binomial-probability-calculator.php)

  • probability 2 or more out of 8 trained missiles hitting is 78%
  • probability 2 or more out of 8 elite missiles hitting is 88%
  • probability 2 or more out of 4 trained missiles hitting is 39%
  • probability 2 or more out of 4 elite missiles hitting is 51%

Other Planes comparisons

ASF, Multi-Role, Anti-Tank

Russian ASF - Anti-Tank continuum
Russian ASF - Anti-Tank continuum

Russia has an amazing selection of planes, which makes selection tough (Fig.). MiG-29M is equipped with the R-77 AA missiles, but AT cluster bombers, are not as versatile as an AT Missile.

  • ASF
    • Su-27PU is an exceptional ASF (2x Rookie or 1x Elite) [R-77]
    • YAK-141 is cost effective (2x Veteran) [R-77]
    • Su-27S another alternative with semi-active long ranged missiles (2x Hardened) [8400m]
  • Multi-role
    • Su-27M is the best multi-role AT plane (1x Veteran) [R-77] [3500m F&F 30AP AT Missile]
  • Anti-Tank
    • MiG-27K (2x Rookie or 1x Veteran) (+2 variants)
    • Su-25T (2x Trained or 1x Elite) (+1 variants)

Cluster or HE Bombs?

Cluster bombs cannot harm infantry, HE can. Both can harm armoured to different degrees of effectiveness. Unsure how lucky this was but 4 x HE:15 bomb strike (by MiG-29S) destroyed a ‘Top’ armour:4, that had 6HP remaining (Fig.). IL-102 has 14x HE:15 Bombs! Is armoured, has a tight turn radius (150), although a bit slow (750km/h), adding more planes to compete with.

4x HE:15 bombs vs 6hp M1A1[HC] Abrams
4x HE:15 bombs vs 6hp M1A1[HC] Abrams

Tactics

‘Tactics, comrades, tactics’- Squealer, Animal Farm

Groups of High value units Exposed

MiG-29M vs 3x M1A2 Abrams
MiG-29M vs 3x M1A2 Abrams

This is the ideal scenario, where you go “Ah ha, I’m glad I chose this plane” (Fig.). Unfortunately, these opportunities are rare.

Plane train

Figure 10. Multiple MiG-29 striking multiple Leopard 2A4
Figure 10. Multiple MiG-29 striking multiple Leopard 2A4

Using multiple planes on a bombing run, MiG-29S & MiG-29M complement each other, same speed, one has cluster other has HE bombs (Fig.). Be very careful of AA/ASF. Multiple planes in a strike is a lot of points invested.

Lurking

Tight turn circle and some stealth is a nice combo for this. Keep the planes flying close behind the front line near an area you suspect they will send strike planes.

Baiting

The fact you are a multi-role & not an ASF can be used to your advantage. Do dummy strike runs, either EVAC early, or fly away to safety while luring the enemy plane to be hit by AA.

ASF Support

Going toe to toe against an enemy ASF is risky. Flying this plane out with an ASF can be useful, as this unit can destroy planes. Being with an ASF, the enemy may calculate it would be too dangerous to attack.

Testing reflection (Reality check)

Different skill levels

Figure 11. Field testing the MiG-29M
Figure 11. Field testing the MiG-29M

I’ve been using the MiG-29M a lot but infrequently, to try and figure out this unit (Fig.). Cluster bombs are much harder to use, when the enemy skill level increases. Armour is valuable will likely be integrated with combined arms, even IR AA can be pain (Chaparral/Mistral etc), if the plane survives repair time can be long. Cluster bombs can strike enemy units hiding in smoke, but it is extremely likely that they have Heavy AA presence nearby. Not much to say about the AA missiles, only having 1 type of AA missiles hinders frequency of damage output. Which has meant some enemy strike planes have been able to escape, where it is more likely that they would have been destroyed if an ASF was used instead. Considering better opponents tend to be more careful with there planes, it’s a double-edged sword having a multi-role. The disadvantage being when opportunity presents itself, the multi-role may fail to destroy the plane it is targeting. However, the advantage is if there is a lot of sabre rattling, forced evacing and no actual destruction of units, The unit in the air doesn’t really matter, as it is supressed.

Usual timeline of usage

Acquiring it early, you may get an opportunity to get a ‘cheap shot’ before enemy AA builds up but this is risky. Most of the Game my MiG-29M is lurking or supporting ASF. An armoured target should be in an area of low AA presence, as I don’t like to risk my plane on bombing run. Late game, AA networks start to deteriorate, and I have better knowledge of AA presence due to recon etc, so the frequency of bombing runs should increase.

Summary

The unit itself isn’t bad, since Russia has an extremely competitive air tab, justifying this unit in a national deck can be difficult. Both Su-27M & MiG-29M are similar and can be used in general decks, Su-27M is often peoples first choice between the two planes. The medium stealth value is worse than other medium stealth planes. A way to describe this unit is like the KF-16C but with cluster bomb capability. Cluster bombs hinders its multi-role versatility compared to similar units which have AT missiles. It is equipped with excellent anti-plane missiles. If left unchallenged it can cause havoc.