Mikoyan MiG-35

For the aircraft previously incorrectly known as MiG-35, see Mikoyan Project 1.44.
MiG-35
Role Multirole fighter, Air superiority fighter
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Mikoyan
First flight 2007
Introduction 2018 (planned)[1]
Status In development
Primary users Russian Air Force
Egyptian Air Force
Number built 3 known completed by June 2010[2]
Developed from Mikoyan MiG-29M

The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-35, NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-F) is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by Mikoyan.[3] The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. 10 prototypes have been built so far and are currently subject to extensive field trials.[4]

MiG Corporation first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show.[5] The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG".[6] The single seat version is designated MiG-35 and the two-seat version is MiG-35D. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new AESA radar and the uniquely designed Optical Locator System (OLS), relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-controlled interception (GCI) systems and enables it to conduct independent multi-role missions.

Development

Origins and Unveiling at Aero India

There have been references in the late-1980s to a very different design also identified as "MiG-35". This design was a single engined combat aircraft for air-to-air and secondary air-to-ground roles. According to unidentified Indian sources the aircraft was evaluated by Indian pilots in the Soviet Union and was probably suggested as an alternative for the Indian LCA being developed at that time.[7]

MIG-35D at Aero India 2007

Russia unveiled the MiG-35 at the Aero India 2007 airshow in Bangalore,[8] amid Moscow's keenness to sell these planes to India. The MiG-35 was a contender with the Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, JAS 39 Gripen, and F-16 Falcon in the Indian MRCA competition for 126 multirole combat aircraft to be procured by the Indian Air Force. The MiG-35 was ousted from the contest in April 2011.[9] It was again demonstrated at Aero India 2009 held at Yelahanka Airbase near Bangalore where it was flown by an Indian Air Force pilot.

Production and upgrades

The MiG-35/MiG-35D exhibits advancements on MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M/M2 fighters in combat efficiency enhancement, universality and operational characteristics improvement.[10] The main features of the new design are the fifth-generation information-sighting systems, compatibility with Russian and foreign origin weapons application and an integrated variety of defensive systems to increase combat survivability. The new overall design overtakes the design concepts of the baseline model and enables the new aircraft to conduct full-scale multi-role missions as their western counterparts.[10]

New avionics are intended to help the MiG-35 to gain air superiority as well as to perform all-weather precision ground strikes, aerial reconnaissance with opto-electronic and radar equipment and to conduct complex joint missions.[10]

Other technological improvements were also introduced to enhance the aircraft's ability to conduct independent operations. For example, an airborne oxygen generation plant was added. RAC MiG and the Italian company GEM-Elettronica signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide the MIG-35 with a new multifunction self-protection jammer.

Testing

MIG-35 at MAKS 2009

By April 2010, pictures and additional information surfaced of two new MiG-35 demonstrators, single-seat MiG-35 bort "961", and two-seat MiG-35D "967". According to Russian media, they first flew in Autumn 2009, and subsequently took part in MMRCA trials in India in October 2009. Both have a very high commonality with the previous MiG-29K/KUB airframes, an immediate visible difference being the braking parachute installed in the place of the hook present on the naval aircraft.[11] Subsequently MiG-35D "967" appears to have been equipped with a similar AESA radar as fitted to the older MiG-35 demonstrator bort "154", identifiable by the dark-grey short nose radome.[12]

Design

Overview

The most important changes are the Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the RD-33MK engines and the newly designed Optical Locator System, OLS-35.[13][14][15]

The final configuration of the MiG-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally using the MIL-STD-1553 bus.[16] The main advantage of an open architecture configuration for its avionics is that future customers will have options to choose from components and systems made by French, Israeli, Russian and United States companies. The Ramenskoye Design Company will act as systems integrator.[4]

Powerplant

The RD-33MK "Morskaya Osa" (Russian: Морская Оса, literally: "Sea Wasp" or Chironex fleckeri) was installed by the new modification. It is the latest version of the RD-33 and was intended to power the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB. It has 7% more power compared to the baseline model due to the use of modern materials in the cooled blades, providing a higher thrust of 9,000 kgf. In response to earlier criticism, the new engines are smokeless and include systems that reduce infrared and optical visibility. The engines may be fitted with vectored-thrust nozzles, which would result an increase in combat efficiency by 12% to 15%.[10][17]

RD-33OVT engine variant comes with thrust vectoring nozzles, and can direct thrust in two directions or planes. As of 2012, the only in-service, in-production fighter jet using this technology is Su-35. Other current thrust-vectoring aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI and the F-22, have nozzles that each vector in one plane.[4]

Sensors

New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The Phazotron Zhuk-AE AESA radar offers a wider range of operating frequencies, providing more resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), more detection range, more air and ground targets detected, tracked and able to be engaged simultaneously. The radar is thought to have detection range of 160 km (86 nmi) for air targets and 300 km (160 nmi) for ships.[18]

Operational history

Russia

In May 2013, it was reported that Russia plans to order 37 aircraft.[19] On 17 August 2013, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the purchase worth 37 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) will be delayed until 2016. The delay was caused by state arms spending cuts.[20][21] In August 2015, Colonel General Viktor Bondarev, commander of Russia’s Air and Space Forces stated that MiG-35 development is to be completed in 2017; entry into service is to follow in 2018.[1]

Egypt

In April 2014, it was reported that Egypt plans to order 24 MiG-35 fighters as part of an arms deal.[22][23] MiG head Sergei Korotkov said at the 2015 Aero India exposition they will provide the fighters if Egypt orders them and are ready to negotiate.[24] In April 2015, Egypt signed a contract, worth up to $2 billion, for 50 MiG-35 fighters.[25][26] Egyptian MiG-35s are to be equipped with high precision targeting pods. Russia already received pre-payment from Egypt, and the first 2 aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2016.[27][28][29]

Variants

Operators

 Egypt
 Russia

Specifications

The MiG-35 is under development and specification data may change.

Data from Mikoyan MiG-29M2 basic dimensions,[33] airforce-technology,[34] deagel.com,[35] and Aero India,[8]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Russia's MiG-35S multirole fighter aircraft could enter service in 2018 - Airrecognition.com, 14 August 2015.
  2. ↑ Vzlet magazine, June 2010, page 64
  3. ↑ "MiG-35/MiG-35D." RAC MiG Corporation. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. 1 2 3 "Russia begins testing MiG-35 ahead of field trials in India news." domain-b.com, 14 August 2009.
  5. ↑ "MiG-35 photos from Air India 2007." aviapedia.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 18 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "MiG-35." Aviapedia. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 17 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Jane's Defence Weekly, 13 August 1988, p. 235.
  8. 1 2 "Russia to Unveil Latest MiG-35 at Bangalore During Aero India 2007." India Defence, 2 February 2007.
  9. ↑ "IAF to soon finalise multi-billion dollar aircraft deal." hindustantimes.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "MiG-35/MiG-35D." Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "Тендер MMRCA" (in Russian). Take-Off, November 2009, pp. 36–37. Retrieved: 13 April 2010.
  12. ↑ "Photo of MiG-35 '967'." Airliners.net. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Account Suspended."] Aviapedia.com. Retrieved: 13 November 2011. Archived 8 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ Aviapedia » Klimov fighter engines video. RD-33
  15. ↑ "New MiG-35 OLS."] Aviapedia. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 9 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ "MiG-35 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Klimov Production: Aircraft Program, RD-33MK." Klimov. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "MiG-35." airforce-technology.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  19. ↑ "РСК "МиГ" в июне подпишет контакт с Минобороны на поставку МиГ-35". РИА Новости. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  20. ↑ "Russian Defense Ministry Delays Deal on MiG-35 Jets." - Rian.ru, 17 August 2013
  21. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-35.htm
  22. ↑ News Desk. "Egypt interested in buying 24 MiG-35s from Russia". defense-update.com. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  23. ↑ "Russia said set to sell its top fighter jets to Egypt". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  24. ↑ Russia Ready to Supply MiG-35 Jets to Egypt - Manufacturer
  25. ↑ "Мы обезопасились от катастрофических последствий". migavia.ru (in Russian).
  26. ↑ "Корпорация "МиГ" поставит два истребителя МиГ-29М/М2 в Северную Африку" (in Russian).
  27. ↑ "Корпорация "МиГ" поставит два истребителя МиГ-29М/М2 в Северную Африку" (in Russian).
  28. ↑ "Системы наведения на цель ракет с МиГ-35 поставят в Египет в 2016 году". Novosti.com (in Russian).
  29. ↑ T220/e
  30. ↑ "Мы обезопасились от катастрофических последствий". migavia.ru (in Russian).
  31. ↑ "Корпорация "МиГ" поставит два истребителя МиГ-29М/М2 в Северную Африку" (in Russian).
  32. ↑ "Системы наведения на цель ракет с МиГ-35 поставят в Египет в 2016 году". Novosti.com (in Russian).
  33. ↑ MiG-29M2 product page. RAC MiG
  34. 1 2 "MiG-35 Fulcrum-F Multirole Fighter, Russia." airforce-technology.com. Retrieved: 29 December 2013.
  35. 1 2 "MiG-35." deagel.com. Retrieved: 29 December 2013.
  36. ↑ "MiG-35." Airforce Technology, 15 June 2011. Retrieved: 13 November 2011,
  37. ↑ "Specifications: MiG-35." Air Force Technology. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  38. ↑ "Zhuk AE." Defense-update.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.

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