Vocabulary:

1. fighter – истребитель;

2. toshareevenly– равномерно распределять;

3. subsidiary facility - дочерняя компания, филиал;

4. former- создатель, разработчик (чего-л.);

5. vigorous – сильный, мощный;

6. todiversify– разнообразить, изменять, модифицировать;

7. modestly – скромно, умеренно;

8. prominent - выдающийся, знаменитый, известный;

9. torequest– просить, требовать (ненавязчиво);

10. deputy- заместитель, помощник, исполняющий обязанности;

11. complementary - комплементарный, дополняющий;

12. prolific – плодотворный, продуктивный;

13. interceptor - истребитель-перехватчик;

14. designation - знак, обозначение, имя;

15. to capture – захватить, поглотить;

16. toretire- уходить в отставку, на пенсию;

17. dissolution - распад;

18. toconsolidate- сливаться, объединяться (об организациях);

19. avionics - авиационное электронное оборудование;

20. embezzlement- растрата, хищение; присвоение (денег, имущества; обманным путём);

21. resignation- отставка; уход в отставку или на пенсию;

22. layoff– увольнение из-за отсутствия работы; приостановка/прекращение производства

23. tobeset– осаждать;

I. Answer the following questions:

1. What was the first design of MiG in 1940?

2. Why did only few MiG interseptors take part in the World War II?

3. Why was the Russian former engaged in marketing abroad in the 1990s?

4. What did happen after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991?

5. How did the MiG Aircraft Building Corporation survive in an extremely strained post-Communist economy?

II. Find the English equivalents of the following phrases in the text:

• главный завод-производитель;

• технологически сложный;

• насчитывающий приблизительно;

• выдающийся авиаконструктор;

• единое целое;

• ослабленная экономика;

• отсутствие интереса;

• переименовать в честь кого-либо;

• яростная конкуренция;

• оборонные предприятия;

• скорость звука;

• быть задействованным в нескольких проектах;

• слияние компаний;

III. Match the words with their definitions:

1. design a) an armed aircraft designed for destroying other aircraft;

2. leadership b) any machine capable of flying by means of aerodynamic forces;

3. to consolidate c) systematic investigation to collect information on a subject;

4. advanced d) the position or function of a leader;

5. aircraft e) to have as one's property;

6. research f) a project, plan or scheme of smth.;

7. fighter g) being ahead in development, knowledge, progress, etc.;

8. to possess h) to unite or to be united;

IV. Find the odd word:

1. a) sophisticated b) complex c) simple d) difficult

2. a) designer b) constructor c) developer d) worker

3. a) research b) to explore c) to investigate d) to search

4. a) plane c) touchdown c) helicopter d) balloon

5. a) take-off c) landing c) to fly d) flight

6. a) to fly c) to take off c) to land d) touchdown

7. a) rotor c) blade c) tyre d) chassis

8. a) to run c) to control c) to drive d) to propel

Upgrading the MiG-29

MiG Russian Aircraft Corporation’s main product, its pride, remains the MiG-29 light frontline fighter, which may pilots and specialists regard as the best aircraft in its class. The MiG-29 preformed its maiden flight 25 years ago, and it has since become the backbone of the Air Forces of Russia and an additional 30 foreign countries.

One of the main priority directions for the further development of the MiG-29 family consists is upgrading the aircraft of different versions, which are currently in service with numerous customers worldwide. The upgrading philosophy is mostly focused towards giving the aircraft new combat capabilities, while at the same time enhancing the existing functions and considerably increasing the aircraft’s combat range.

MiG Corporation has developed a modular approach for the MiG-29 upgrade up to the MiG-29SMT level. This system is flexible, allowing potential clients to choose the set of additional capabilities and features they really need. The system includes three kits or modules.

The first module involves upgrading the aircraft’s weapons control system, thus transforming the MiG-29 into a multirole fighter. An important advantage of the MiG-29SMT over foreign competitors is the fact that is weapons control system provides effective joint work of the three main sighting devices – the radar, infra-red search and track sensor (IRST) and helmet-mounted sighting system – with the capability of automatically shifting which is the most effective under the current combat situation.

The second module covers increasing both internal and drop fuel tanks capacity, upgrading the fuel system and installing an in-flight refueling equipment.

The third module is for upgrading on-board equipment. The cockpit is equipped with modern navigation system and communication equipment including satellite navigation of Russian or foreign origin.

MiG Corporation has also developed a new sophisticated concept for training pilots and ground personnel for MiG aircraft of different generations. Interactive computer training systems, modern flight simulators and advanced visualization systems are used for training. Training systems can be delivered together with new or for already delivered aircraft with consideration of each customer’s aircraft specification. They provide unified pilots and ground personnel training with considerably reduced costs and time.

The simulator allows to imitate all stages of flight of a fighter aircraft from taking off, executing the flying mission, elements of aerobatics and combat tasks to landing. Visualization technology allows to provide full illusion of submerging into flight. One of the simulator’s main features is real geographical updatable database, made on the basis of satellite photos. So, for the trainee could be created real geographical environment of the region where he is to fly in real life. Simulator can be configured for the aircraft features and demand of each customer.