Mikoyan MiG-35

MiG-35
MIG-35D at Aero India 2007
Role Multirole fighter
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Mikoyan
First flight 2007
Introduction 2018 (planned)[1]
Status Flight-testing/pre-series production[2][3][4]
Primary users Russian Air Force
Egyptian Air Force
Number built 3 known completed by June 2010[5] and 2 pre-series completed by 2016[6]
Unit cost
US$40 million[7]
Developed from Mikoyan MiG-29M

The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-35; NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-F) is a Russian multirole fighter that is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB fighters. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by Mikoyan.[8] The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as a MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. In 2009, ten prototypes had been built for field trials.[9]

Mikoyan first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show.[10] The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited the Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG".[11]

The single-seat version is designated MiG-35 and the two-seat version MiG-35D. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new AESA radar, precision-guided targeting capability, 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 multirole missions.

Development

Origins and unveiling at Aero India

There were 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.[12]

MIG-35D at Aero India 2007

Russia unveiled the MiG-35 at the Aero India 2007 air show in Bangalore,[13] amid Moscow's keenness to sell these planes to India. The MiG-35 was a contender with the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting 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.[14]

Production and upgrades

The MiG-35/MiG-35D exhibits advancements on the MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M/M2 fighters in combat efficiency enhancement, universality and operational characteristics improvement.[15] The main features of the new design are the fifth-generation information-sighting systems, compatibility with Russian and foreign weapons applications 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 multirole missions as their western counterparts.[15]

New avionics are intended to help the MiG-35 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.[15]

Testing

MIG-35 at MAKS 2009

By April 2010, pictures and additional information surfaced of two new MiG-35 demonstrators, the single-seat MiG-35 "961" and the two-seat MiG-35D "967". According to Russian media, they first flew in autumn of 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 place of the hook, present on the naval aircraft.[16] Subsequently, the MiG-35D "967" appears to have been equipped with a similar AESA radar as fitted to the older MiG-35 demonstrator "154", identifiable by the dark grey short nose radome.[17] Two MiG-35s were to be delivered to the Russian Air Force for flight tests in November 2016 to confirm the technical characteristics. This was stated by general designer of the United Aircraft Corporation Sergei Korotkov to Interfax on 6 September.[18][19]

MiG-35 pre-series

The MiG-35 has a unit cost of $40–45 million according to TV. Russia 24 and other sources.[20][21][22]

On 28 January 2017, MiG officially demonstrated the new MiG-35 to the Russian government, followed by subsequent demonstration for export customers on the next day.[23] However, the newly presented MiG-35 showed to be a bit different with the one unveiled in 2007. The new MiG-35 allegedly lacked the AESA radar as well as thrust vectoring control, supposedly to keep procurement cost low to attract foreign customer.[24]

Serial production of the new MiG-35 4++ fighter is to begin in the 2019 timeframe. Ilya Sergeevich Tarasenko, the Director general of the MiG, told journalists in July 2017: "We are now testing, and after the results will begin mass production. Serial production will begin within the next two years."[25][26]

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.[27][28][29] The number of weapon stations has increased to 10, flight range has increased by 50%, and radar visibility has been reduced.[30]

The final configuration of the MiG-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally using the MIL-STD-1553 bus.[31] According to the site domain-b - 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. The average cost flight personnel hours decreased by 2.5 times compared to MiG-29.[9] Weight load 7 tons (twice the weight load of MIG-29).[32][33]

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 in an increase in combat efficiency by 12% to 15%.[15][34]

The 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 the Sukhoi Su-35. Other current thrust-vectoring aircraft, such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, have nozzles that each vector in one plane.[9] Thrust vectoring capabilites enable this aircraft to use highways or grass strips for landing and takeoff instead of needing to rely on traditionally-prepared asphalt runways.[32][35]

Sensors and weapons

New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-A/AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the first such radar on any Russian fighter.[36] The Phazotron Zhuk-A/AE AESA radar offers a wider range of operating frequencies, providing better resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM)s, extended detection range and more air and ground targets detected. The FGA-35 radar type, featured 688 mm antenna and 1016 T/R modules (originally planned 1064) with initial stage performance of a 200 km detection range for 3m2 RCS target. Later detection range was raised up to 250 km.[37] It can track up to 30 targets at any time, engaging up to 6 air targets at once, or 4 ground targets at once.[38]

In a conference call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in January 2017, Yuri Slusar, director of United Aircraft Corporation, reported that the MiG-35 could possibly use a kind of laser weaponry in the future.[39][40] Military trials of the laser are to proceed immediately after flight testing of the aircraft.[41] However, there was doubt if Slusar made a mistake by saying laser weaponry instead of laser-guided weapon.[42]

Future users

Russia

In May 2013, it was reported that Russia plans to order 37 aircraft.[43] 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.[44][45] 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.[46][1] 170 aircraft are planned.[30]

Egypt

In 2014, Egypt planned to sign a large arms deal with Russia for the purchase of 24 MiG-35 fighter jets.[47][48][49] In February 2015, RSK MiG's director general, Sergei Korotkov, announced that the company was ready to supply the MiG-35 jets to Egypt should the country request them.[50] In April 2015, Egypt signed a contract, worth up to $2 billion, for the purchase of 46 advanced MiG-29M/M2 multi-role fighters, also referred to as the MiG-35.[51][52]

The contract was later confirmed by the company's Deputy Director General, Alexey Beskibalov, during a visit to the MiG Sokol plant in February 2016, where he stated that Russia had already received prepayment from Egypt.[53] In February 2017, Russian FSVTS Deputy Director, Alexei Frolkin, said that the contract on the delivery of the fighter jets to Egypt, which sets the 2020 completion deadline, is on pace with its schedule.[54]

Egyptian Advanced MiG-29M/M2 overview

Source:[55] (Official aircraft designation yet to be announced)

According to officials who took part in executing the contract, in an interview with Izvestia, the MiG fighter intended for Egypt is a highly advanced version of the Mikoyan MiG-29M, fitted out with the latest Russian infra-red search and track (IRST) systems and ECM jamming pods. Egypt's MiG version nearly resembles the Russian MiG-35, which was displayed in January 2017 during its international presentation in Lukhovitsy.[56]

Egypt’s MiG-29Ms feature the latest OLS-UE IRST capable of thermally detecting enemy aircraft by their infrared signature and also acquiring surface threats. A Russian Air Force officer noted that the new IRST feeds both TV and IR imagery to the cockpit display including a laser rangefinder, unlike previous MiG-29 IRSTs which only feature IR imagery intended for dogfighting.

Egyptian MiG-29Ms will receive the T220/e high precision targeting pods comprising thermal imager/TV systems and laser rangefinders allowing the utilization of precision-guided munitions, as well as unguided ones with low circular error probability. These pods will also be featured on the latest MiG-35 fighter.[57][58]

Egyptian MiG fighters will be supplied with the MSP-418K active jammer pods which use Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology to spoof the homing heads of guided missiles. The ECM pods were previously displayed at MAKS international air shows but haven't yet entered service in the Russian Air Force.

ِAccording to RSK MiG's Procurement Plan for 2017, Egypt's MiG-29M fighters will receive the Zhuk-ME (FGM129C) pulse-doppler airborne radar capable to detect a 5 m2 RCS air target at a range of up to 120 km, and can track 10 targets and attack 4 at once.[59] The aircraft will be equipped with the latest RD-33MK smokeless engines.[60]

Variants

Future operators

 Egypt
 Russia

Specifications (MiG-35)

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

Data from Mikoyan MiG-29M2 basic dimensions,[64] deagel.com,[65] airforce-technology.com[66]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Russia's MiG-35S multirole fighter aircraft could enter service in 2018 - Airrecognition.com, 14 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Russia's Lethal New MiG-35 to Start Flight Testing This Summer". The National Interest. 2016-03-21.
  3. ↑ "Pre-Series Production of a Multi-Purpose MiG-35 Fighter.". Sputnik (news agency). 2016-08-19.
  4. ↑ "Russian engineers produce advanced MIG-35 fighter jets.". LiveLeak. 2016-03-17.
  5. ↑ Indian pilots checked MiG-35 in. Take-off magazine. CEO. June 2010, p. 64.
  6. ↑ https://lenta.ru/news/2017/01/27/production/
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "MiG-35/MiG-35D." RAC MiG Corporation. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. 1 2 3 "Russia begins testing MiG-35 ahead of field trials in India news." domain-b.com, 14 August 2009.
  10. ↑ "MiG-35 photos from Air India 2007." aviapedia.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 18 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ "MiG-35." Aviapedia. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 17 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ Jane's Defence Weekly, 13 August 1988, p. 235.
  13. ↑ "Russia to Unveil Latest MiG-35 at Bangalore During Aero India 2007." India Defence, 2 February 2007.
  14. ↑ "IAF to soon finalise multi-billion dollar aircraft deal." hindustantimes.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "MiG-35/MiG-35D." Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  16. ↑ "Тендер MMRCA" (in Russian). Take-Off, November 2009, pp. 36–37. Retrieved: 13 April 2010.
  17. ↑ "Photo of MiG-35 '967'." Airliners.net. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "Минобороны РФ получит первый образец истребителя МиГ-35 в этом году". Interfax. 2016-03-30.
  19. ↑ "Истребитель МиГ-35 передадут военным для испытаний в ноябре". Lenta.ru. 2016-09-06.
  20. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRjgVoJlAzc
  21. ↑ https://hi-tech.mail.ru/news/mig-35/
  22. ↑ https://russian.rt.com/russia/article/353877-mig-35-minoborony
  23. ↑ https://theaviationist.com/2017/01/27/new-mig-35-fulcrum-foxtrot-demonstrated-for-putin-and-foreign-market/
  24. ↑ http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-mig-35-has-big-secret-time-nato-will-be-pleased-19246
  25. ↑ "МиГ-35 пойдет в серийное производство в ближайшие два года". RIA Novosti. 2017-07-14.
  26. ↑ "Mass production of MiG-35 fighter jet to be launched within 2 years". Ruptly. 2017-07-15.
  27. ↑ "Account Suspended." Aviapedia.com. Retrieved: 13 November 2011. Archived 8 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  28. ↑ Aviapedia » Klimov fighter engines video. RD-33
  29. ↑ "New MiG-35 OLS." Aviapedia. Retrieved: 8 November 2012. Archived 9 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  30. 1 2 https://rg.ru/2017/02/03/reg-pfo/proizvodstvo-mig-35-razvernut-v-nizhnem-novgorode.html
  31. ↑ "MiG-35 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft". defense-update.com. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  32. 1 2 3 https://ria.ru/arms/20170126/1486495384.html
  33. ↑ http://army-news.ru/2016/07/mig-35-start-opozdavshij-na-gody/
  34. ↑ "Klimov Production: Aircraft Program, RD-33MK." Klimov. Retrieved: 8 November 2012.
  35. ↑ http://www.aif.ru/dontknows/infographics/rossiyskiy_istrebitel_chetvertogo_pokoleniya_mig-35_infografika
  36. ↑
  37. ↑ "Aviation week & space technology/ august 15. 2011".
  38. ↑ https://news.rambler.ru/weapon/35151404-mig-35-osnastyat-stantsiey-zhuk-ame/
  39. ↑ http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/page/45
  40. ↑ https://sputniknews.com/russia/201703091051411399-russia-fighter-jet-laser-weapons/
  41. ↑ https://life.ru/t/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%B0/970285/smi_migh-35_mozhiet_poluchit_laziernoie_oruzhiie
  42. ↑ https://medium.com/war-is-boring/dont-expect-russia-to-arm-mig-35s-with-laser-cannons-1d819463674
  43. ↑ "РСК "МиГ" в июне подпишет контакт с Минобороны на поставку МиГ-35". РИА Новости. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  44. ↑ "Russian Defense Ministry Delays Deal on MiG-35 Jets." - Rian.ru, 17 August 2013
  45. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-35.htm
  46. ↑ http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4027093
  47. ↑ News Desk. "Egypt interested in buying 24 MiG-35s from Russia". defense-update.com. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  48. ↑ "Russia said set to sell its top fighter jets to Egypt". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  49. ↑ "MiG-35: The plane that won’t die". in.rbth.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  50. ↑ Russia Ready to Supply MiG-35 Jets to Egypt - Manufacturer
  51. 1 2 "Мы обезопасились от катастрофических последствий". migavia.ru (in Russian).
  52. ↑ "Contract for the supply of 46 MiG-29 fighters to Egypt". vedomosti.ru. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  53. 1 2 "Корпорация "МиГ" поставит два истребителя МиГ-29М/М2 в Северную Африку" (in Russian).
  54. ↑ Russia to Fulfill MiG-29 Delivery Contract to Egypt on Schedule
  55. ↑ "Izvestia". Retrieved 2016-07-15.
  56. ↑ "Izvestia". Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  57. ↑ "Системы наведения на цель ракет с МиГ-35 поставят в Египет в 2016 году". Novosti.com (in Russian).
  58. ↑ T220/e
  59. ↑ План закупок АО "РСК "МИГ" 2017
  60. ↑ Russian MiG-29M fly to Egypt
  61. ↑ "Системы наведения на цель ракет с МиГ-35 поставят в Египет в 2016 году". Novosti.com (in Russian).
  62. ↑
  63. ↑ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2737394.html
  64. ↑ MiG-29/MiG-29UB/MiG-29SE specifications. RAC MiG, 8 December 2014.
  65. ↑ "MiG-35." deagel.com. Retrieved: 29 December 2013.
  66. ↑
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