Myeong and Lyang MyL-21

MyL-21
File:MyL-21 side view.png
MyL-21
Role	Air superiority fighter, multirole fighter
National origin	DSRA Anikatia
Manufacturer	Myeong and Lyang Design Bureau
First flight	8 December 1976
Introduction	12 November 1984
Status	In production
Primary users	DSRA Anikatia Rodarion
Produced	1984–present
Number built	400+
Unit cost	MyL-21DX: UR$35 million (flyaway cost, 2014) MyL-27SM: UR$65 million (flyaway cost, 2013)

The Myeong and Lyang MyL-21 (CDI reporting name: Fathom) is a twin-engine, all-weather multirole fighter aircraft developed by Myeong and Lyang Design Bureau to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It was intended as a direct competitor for growing threats of new large fourth-generation fighters, such as the Sieuxerrian Bloch MB.4000. It possess great range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability. The MyL-21 was designed as an air superiority aircraft, but its most modern variants are able to perform almost all combat operations. Complementing the smaller Ay-05.

There have been several developments of the MyL-21 design, such as a two-seat, dual-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. The MyL-21 entered service with the Anikatian Air Force in 1996. Later models frequently feature improved engines, glass cockpits with HOTAS-compatible flight controls, modern radar and IRST sensors, increased fuel capacity; some aircraft have also been equipped for aerial refuelling.

History

In late 1970s, the DSRA leadership soon realised that the new Ay-05 and older Ay-04 would not be enough against the threat of the CDI. Intelligence showed that the next generation of fighters would represent a serious technological advantage over existing DSRA fighters. What was needed was a better-balanced fighter with both good agility and sophisticated systems. They realised they needed a way for their air force to fight outnumbered, against the CDI and thus researchers emphasized that DSRA’s next fighter should be able to share targeting data, carry a big load of large, high-performance missiles and be able to guide them while retreating. Flying far was more important than flying fast, DSRA fighter technologists found in studies produced by the Defence force aimed at defining their country’s next combat aircraft. In response, the Air Force issued a requirement for a Advanced Experimental Fighter Program (AXF). Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including the ability to use cold weather runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed, and heavy armament. The aerodynamic design for the new aircraft was largely carried out by Aymovski in collaboration with the Myeong and Lyang Design Bureau. The results of this work committed the DSRA to full-scale development within four years.

The Myeong and Lyang design, emerged as the Y-21 which first flew on 8 December 1976. The aircraft had a large delta wing, clipped, with two engines and a twin tail. The Y-21 was spotted by Western observers and assigned the CDI reporting name. The development of the Y-21 was marked by considerable problems, leading to a fatal crash on 18 June 1979. Extensive redesigns followed, and a heavily revised version, the Y-21B, made its first flight on 6 May 1981. The production MyL-21 began to enter operational service in 1984, although manufacturing difficulties kept it from appearing in strength until the 1990s.

Design

The MyL-21's basic design is aerodynamically similar to the Ay-05, but it is substantially larger and the addition of twin horizontal tailplanes. The swept wing blends into the fuselage at the leading edge extensions and is essentially a cropped delta (the delta wing with tips cropped for missile rails or ECM pods). The MyL-21 is also an example of a tailed delta wing configuration, retaining conventional horizontal tailplanes, though it is not a true delta. The MyL-21 has a retractable tricycle landing gear. It is powered by two Bulgakov K56-107 engines with afterburners mounted side-by-side in the fuselage. The cockpit is mounted high in the forward fuselage with a one-piece windscreen and large canopy to increase visibility.

The MyL-21 had the DSRA's first operational fly-by-wire control system, developed based on Yukimov's experience in the Yukimov Yuk-31 project. Combined with relatively low wing loading and powerful basic flight controls, it makes for an exceptionally agile aircraft, controllable even at very low speeds and high angles of attack. Thanks to a high thrust-to-weight ratio enabling the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed. The MyL-21 is armed with a single 27 mm Esk-27-K cannon in the starboard wingroot, and has up to 12 hardpoints for missiles and other weapons.

Cockpit

The cockpit features a conventional centre stick which is used for pitch and roll control while rudder pedals control yaw. A throttle is located to the left of the pilot. The pilot sits in a Wallis-Thornton WTK-14EM zero-zero ejection seat which has had impressive performance in emergency escapes. The cockpit has conventional dials, with a head-up display (HUD) and a Svalov-1M helmet mounted display, but no HOTAS ("hands-on-throttle-and-stick") capability. On earlier models the emphasis was placed on making the cockpit similar to the earlier Ay-05 and other Anikatian aircraft for ease of conversion. Nonetheless, the Ay-05 style bubble canopy provides substantially better visibility than previous Ay-04 fighters. Since the MyL-21SM upgrade models have been redesigned to incorporate contemporary features with the latest models having a true "glass cockpits" with modern liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and true HOTAS as well as a uppgraded/new helmet mounted display.

Avionics

The baseline MyL-21 are equipped with a AKI/RAL K10R-G look-down/shoot-down coherent Pulse-Doppler radar and Arsanukayev Type 1094 central digital computer. The aircraft also features electronic countermeasures (ECM) and RAL-05KPG Rakovski radar warning (RWR) systems, chaff/flare dispensers, fighter-to-fighter data link, and a precise inertial navigation system. The AKI/RAL K10R-G radar was an evolution of the AKI/RAL K05R-EB architecture used on the Ay-05. A useful feature the MyL-21 is the Tagirbekov General Industries Tgk-75, a combined laser rangefinder and IRST in an "eyeball" mount forward of the cockpit canopy.

The latest variants such as the MyL-21 are outfitted with the new AKI/RAL K10R-GX-M2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Applied Kinetics and Rakovski Aeronautics developed the latest AESA radar upgrade for the MyL-21. An evolution of the AKI/RAL K10R, was introduced with the first generation. has greater range and resolution, as well as 25 operating modes, including ground-mapping, Doppler beam-sharpening, ground moving target, sea target, and track-while-scan (TWS) for up to 30 aerial targets, and engage ten targets simultaneously in the attack mode.

Powerplant

The MyL-21 is powered by a two Bulgakov K56 turbofan engine, the exact version of this propulsion system depending on the variant. However the latest variants utilise the newer Bulgakov K57 turbofan engines, although the exact version of these propulsion systems is depending on the variant. the MyL-27 variant is powered by the Bulgakov K57-117OVT with thrust vectoring control (TVC) this engine gives more thrust and a lower specific fuel consumption than earlier variants of the engines while also providing even greater maneuverability.

Variants

DSRA-era

Y-21 ("Fathom-A")

Initial prototype configuration.

Y-21B ("Fathom-A")

Improved prototype configuration.

MyL-21 ("Fathom-A")

Pre-production version used as testbeds, built in small numbers with Bulgakov K56P-101 engine.

MyL-21S ("Fathom-B")

Initial production single-seater with improved Bulgakov K56-107 engine.

MyL-21PF ("Fathom-B")

Single-seater specialized air-defense interceptor variant that entered service with the Anikatian Air Force.

MyL-21DI / MyL-21DX ("Fathom-B")

Single-seat multirole, export version of MyL-21S with slightly downgraded radar with multiple target tracking ability. The aircraft can be fitted with active ECM systems, weapons guidance aids, improved built-in check and training systems. It was originally given the designated MyL-21DI originally but has been re-designated under the new systems as the current MyL-21DX.

MyL-21UBI / MyL-21UBX ("Fathom-C")

Two-seat export version has similar downgraded systems to the MyL-21DX. It was originally given the designated MyL-21UBI originally but has been re-designated under the new systems as the current MyL-21UBX.

MyL-21UB ("Fathom-C")

Initial production two-seat operational conversion trainer.

MyL-21PFU (MyL-24) ("Fathom-C")

Two seat version of the MyL-21PF interceptor, designed to support with tactical data other single-seat MyL-21PF, Later prototypes were modified into a multi-role fighter mainly for export market, moving away from the original purpose of the aircraft.

Post-DSRA-era

MyL-21MX ("Fathom-D")

Single-seat multi-role fighter for export. It is a derivative of the MyL-21S rather than the earlier MyL-21DX export version as it includes substantial upgrades such as advanced cockpit, new Bulgakov K57-117 engine, more sophisticated self-defense electronic countermeasures (ECM) and an in-flight refuelling system. Single-seat multi-role fighter for export.

MyL-21M ("Fathom-D")

Advanced multirole variant, powered by enhanced Bulgakov K57-117OVT engines. The glass cockpit with an enhanced HOTAS design. The upgraded Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) AKI/RAL K10R Radar system.

MyL-21UBM ("Fathom-C")

The two-seat version of the advanced SM variant. It can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft.

MyL-21MUX ("Fathom-C")

Comparable upgraded MyL-21UBX two-seater.

MyL-27SM ("Fathom-E")

A 4++ highly advanced multirole variant, incorporates a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and radar absorbing coatings to reduce radar signature.

MyL-24MX ("Fathom-C")

Next-generation multi-role two-seater. Based on the few MyL-21PFU's that were built for DSRA. The MyL-30MX export variant was embodied as a series of two demonstrators of different levels of capability.

MyL-24MPRR ("Fathom-C")

Export version for Rodarion based on the two-seater MyL-24 multi-role variant. MPRR stands for "Modernised, Papal Republic of Rodarion" it is built under licence in Rodarion for the Papal Air Force.

Operators

Current

Anikatia

• Anikatian Air Force - 342 MyL-21 aircraft, including 120 MyL-21Ss, 60 MyL-21UBs, 24 MyL-21PFs, 54 MyL-21UBM and 84 MyL-21Ms in service as of May 2010. A modernisation program began in 2005. Half of the fleet has been modernized by 2012. The Anikatian Air Force (AAF) is currently receiving aircraft modernized to the SM standard.

Rodarion

• Papal Air Force - 354 MyL-24MPRR as of June 2012. Rodarion recieved domestic production rights in 2005.

Template:Country data Saarland

• Template:Country data Saarland Saarland Air Defense Force - Up to 24 were supplied to the People's Democratic Republic of Saarland

Former operators

Template:Country data Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia

• Template:Country data Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia Anikatian People's Air Force Passed on to successor state.

Template:Country data Saarland PDRS

• Template:Country data Saarland People's Revolutionary Air Force Passed on to successor states.

Specifications (MyL-21MX)

3-view drawing of MyL-21

Data from Myeong and Lyang specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: One / Two (UB)
• Length: 21.9 m (72 ft) ()
• Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in) ()
• Height: 5.63 m (18.5 ft) ()
• Empty weight: 15,780 kg (34,789 lb) ()
• Loaded weight: 25,115 kg (55,369 lb) ()
• Max. takeoff weight: 34,450 kg (75,949 lb) ()
• Powerplant: 2 × Bulgakov K57-117 afterburning turbofan, Wet:137 kN (13,970 kgf, 30,799 lbf) ()Dry: Dry: 88 kN (8,981 kgf, 19,800 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,491 mph)
• Combat radius: 1,870 km (1,162 mi) ()
• Ferry range: 3,890 km (2,417 nmi) with external fuel ()
• Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,523 ft) ()
• Thrust/weight: 1.01 (1.37 with loaded weight plus 50% fuel)

Armament

• 1 x 27 mm Esk-27k cannon with 180 rounds
• 12 total (8× under-wing, 2 fuselage, 2× centre-line) with a capacity of 8,500 kg (18,739 lb) of weapons and fuel tanks, including:
• 70-100 Km range beyond visual range active missiles
• Imaging infrared short range missiles
• Air-to-surface missiles
• Air to sea missiles
• Anti radiation missiles
• Laser guided weapons
• Runway penetration bombs
• General purpose bombs
• Training bombs
• Countermeasures (Flares, Chaff)
• Up to 3 external drop tanks (2× under-wing 1,500 litres, 1× under-fuselage 1,700 litres for extended range/loitering time)

Avionics

• AKI/RAL K010R-G all-weather multimode coherent pulse Doppler Radar system
• Tagirbekov General Industries Tgk-75M sophisticated multi-channel Infrared search and track (ISRT) sighting system
• Rykovatia Weapon Systems Rtk-5QMP Datalink communications system
• RAL-05KPG Rakovski RWR

See also

• Related development
  • Myeong and Lyang MyL-24
  • Myeong and Lyang MyL-27
• Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
  • Lawley F-8 Stingray
  • Arthuristan Dynamics Cyclone
  • Aetochoric Dynamics M5 Aetos