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
Status In development
Number built 3 known completed by June 2010[1]
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.[2] 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.[3]

MiG Corporation first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show.[4] The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG".[5] 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

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.[6]

The MiG-35/MiG-35D exhibits the latest advancements on MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M/M2 fighters in combat efficiency enhancement, universality and operational characteristics improvement.[7] 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.[7]

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.[7]

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.[8]

MIG-35D at Aero India 2007

Unveiling at Aero India

Russia unveiled the MiG-35 at the Aero India 2007 airshow in Bangalore,[9] 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.[10]

MIG-35 at MAKS 2009

Aero India 2007 was the first time that the final version of the MiG-35 fighter was displayed in an international air show. Previously only the MiG-29OVT prototype of the MiG-35 had been shown to the public at air shows in Russia and the UK in 2006.

It was again demonstrated at Aero India 2009 held at Yelahanka Airbase near Bangalore where it was flown by an Indian Air Force pilot.[11]

By April 2010, pictures and additional info surfaced of two new MiG-35 demonstrators, single-seat MiG-35 bort "961", and two-seat MiG-35D "967". According to Russian media, they have first flown at the beginning of Autumn 2009, and subsequently they took part in MMRCA trials in India starting October 2009. Both have a very high commonality with the previous MiG-29K/KUB airframes, with the immediate visible difference being the braking parachute installed in the place of the hook present on the naval aircraft.[12] 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.[13]

In May 2013, it was reported that Russia plans to order 37 aircraft.[14] 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.[15][16]

In April 2014, it was reported that Egypt plans to order 24 MiG-35 fighters as part of a US$3 billion arms deal.[17][18][19] The MiG Company's readiness to offer its jets to Egypt comes amid Russia-Egypt rapprochement, strengthened during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Cairo in early February 2015. Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG is ready to supply MiG-35 fighter jets to Egypt should the country request them, MiG head Sergei Korotkov said at the Aero India-2015 exposition, "If Egypt decides to buy our jets, we will be pleased to prepare them and supply them. If they intend to hold talks with us, we will negotiate with them," adding that the company has no objection to this kind of cooperation. Last year, Korotkov said that his company planned to hold talks in Egypt over a Russia-Egypt deal on the acquisition of MiG-35 fighters.[20]

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.[21][22][23]

The final configuration of the MiG-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally using the MIL-STD-1553 bus.[24] 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 Russian, United States, French and Israeli sources. The Ramenskoye Design Company will act as systems integrator.[3]

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%.[7][25]

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.[3]

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.[26]

Variants

Specifications

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

Data from Mikoyan MiG-29M2 basic dimensions,[27] Rian.ru,[28] airforce-technology,[29] deagel.com,[30] and Aero India,[9]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

See also

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

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Vzlet magazine, June 2010, page 64
  2. ↑ " MiG-35/MiG-35D." RAC MiG Corporation. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Russia begins testing MiG-35 ahead of field trials in India news." domain-b.com, 14 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "MiG-35 photos from Air India 2007." aviapedia.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "MiG-35." Aviapedia. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  6. ↑ Jane's Defence Weekly, 13 August 1988, p. 235.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "MiG-35/MiG-35D." Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "News." adnkronos.com, 5–11 February 2007.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Russia to Unveil Latest MiG-35 at Bangalore During Aero India 2007." India Defence, 2 February 2007.
  10. ↑ "IAF to soon finalise multi-billion dollar aircraft deal." hindustantimes.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "Тендер MMRCA" (in Russian). Take-Off, November 2009, pp. 36–37. Retrieved: 13 April 2010.
  13. ↑ "Photo of MiG-35 '967'." Airliners.net. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  14. ↑ "РСК "МиГ" в июне подпишет контакт с Минобороны на поставку МиГ-35". РИА Новости. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Russian Defense Ministry Delays Deal on MiG-35 Jets." - Rian.ru, 17 August 2013
  16. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-35.htm
  17. ↑ News Desk. "Egypt interested in buying 24 MiG-35s from Russia". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "Russia said set to sell its top fighter jets to Egypt". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  19. ↑ "TASS: Economy - Russia’s MiG to hold talks with Egypt in October on MiG-35 supplies". TASS. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Russia Ready to Supply MiG-35 Jets to Egypt - Manufacturer
  21. ↑ "Account Suspended." Aviapedia.com. Retrieved: 13 November 2011.
  22. ↑ Aviapedia » Klimov fighter engines video. RD-33
  23. ↑ "New MiG-35 OLS." Aviapedia. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  24. ↑ "MiG-35 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  25. ↑ "Klimov Production: Aircraft Program, RD-33MK." Klimov. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  26. ↑ "MiG-35." airforce-technology.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  27. ↑ MiG-29M2 product page. RAC MiG
  28. ↑ "MiG-35." INFOgraphics via RIA Novosti. Retrieved: 29 December 2013.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "MiG-35 Fulcrum-F Multirole Fighter, Russia." airforce-technology.com. Retrieved: 29 December 2013.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "MiG-35." deagel.com. Retrieved: 29 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "MiG-35." Airforce Technology, 15 June 2011. Retrieved: 13 November 2011,
  32. ↑ "Specifications: MiG-35." Air Force Technology. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  33. ↑ "Zhuk AE." Defense-update.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-35.