Mikoyan MiG 35

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.

Russia unveiled the MiG-35 at the Aero India 2007 air show in Bangalore, 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.

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. 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 multi-role missions as their western counterparts.

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.

Testing

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 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. Subsequently, 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. Two MiG-35 fighter jets will be given to the Russian Air Force for flight tests in November 2016 in order to confirm the technical characteristics. This was stated by general designer of the United Aircraft Corporation Sergei Korotkov to Interfax on 6 September.

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

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. Number of suspension points for of armament has grown to 10 and a half times increased flight range and radar visibility has been reduced on several occasions.

The final configuration of the MiG-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally using the MIL-STD-1553 bus. 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.

Weight 7 tons of weapons (MiG-29 3.5).

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%.

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 Su-35. Other current thrust-vectoring aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI and the F-22, have nozzles that each vector in one plane. Instead aerodrome may use the highway.

Can use ground strips as an aerodrome.

Sensors

New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the first such radar on any Russian fighter. The Phazotron Zhuk-AE AESA radar offers a wider range of operating frequencies, providing better resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), extended detection range, more air and ground targets detected, for tracked and able to be engaged simultaneously. The radar is thought to have a detection range of 160 km (86 nmi) for air targets and 300 km (160 nmi) for ships. Capture of 30 targets in the air, firing in the air 6 and simultaneously on the ground 4.

Laser weapon and other systems

The laser system is working effectively. It may be used at different heights, for high altitude power loss of less than 30% per hundred kilometers. Military trials of the laser are to proceed immediately after of flight testing of aircraft.

It may include Plasma shield provides 100% stealth against all radar designed to shield. Plasma panel also can be used as a radar. This shield is small, and easy install on the plane, or even a rocket.

Russia

In May 2013, it was reported that Russia plans to order 37 aircraft. 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. 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. Full 170.

Egypt

In April 2014, it was reported that Egypt plans to order 24 MiG-35 fighters as part of an arms deal. 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. In April 2015, Egypt signed a contract, worth up to $2 billion, for 50 MiG-35 fighters. Egyptian MiG-35s are to be equipped with high precision targeting pods. Russia already received pre-payment from Egypt, and the first two aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2016.

Variants

Operators

Specifications

Data from Mikoyan MiG-29M2 basic dimensions, and deagel.com,

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics