In 1969 the USSR learned of the USAF's "F-X" program, which resulted in the F15 Eagle.
The Soviet leadership soon realised that the new American fighter would represent a serious technological advantage over existing Soviet fighters.
What was needed was a better-balanced fighter with both good agility and sophisticated systems. In response, the Soviet General Staff issued a requirement for a "Perspective Frontline Fighter".
Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including the ability to use austere runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed and heavy armament.
The aerodynamic design for the new aircraft was largely carried out by the Russian aerodynamics institute design bureau.
Detailed design work on the resultant Mikoyan Product 9, designated MiG-29A, began in 1974, with the first flight taking place on 6 October 1977.
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