MiG-29/ΜiG-35 Fulcrum: News

GarryB wrote:I remember reading in the 1990s that the klimov engine makers that make the RD-33s for MiG-29s was working on a 12 ton thrust RD-45 or something for new MiG medium fighters.

Putting an 18 ton thrust engine in the MiG-35... you would only need one and it simply would not fit.

If you wanted a MiG-29/35 sized aircraft with a single engine that one would actually be a good size, but it is too big for a twin.

Mig-35 with one izd.30 would be very interesting. Keeping two entry smaller ones but one engine in the center makes it more stealthy and more fuel economic. They could also add a small internal bay for two r-77 in front of the engine and have only r-73 on the wing for interception role. It could probably achieve supercruise too.

Light, modern, deadly and incredibly maneuverable. In Russia, the state tests of the MiG-35 aircraft began, which in the future will become the basis of the fighter front-line aviation of the VKS. If everything goes smoothly, next year the first serial cars will go to the combat aviation units. Although the "thirty-fifth" represents a profound modernization of the MiG-29 project, which first rose to the sky 35 years ago, it differs drastically from its predecessors. For combat capabilities, this is a completely new machine. About what is known about it at the moment, - in the material of RIA Novosti.
New MiG

The main task of a light fighter is to gain local superiority in the air on a relatively small sector of the front. Long-range raids and free hunting are for heavy Su-27 and Su-35S. The MiG-35 acts in close connection to the ground - it protects infantry and armored vehicles from aviation, covers rear facilities, interferes with enemy air reconnaissance. These fighters, as a rule, are based almost at the front line, often on poorly trained and not the most "comfortable" airfields. The MiG-35 inherited the main advantages of the MiG-29 - exceptional reliability and unpretentiousness.

For the first time, the "thirty-fifth" was shown to the general public at MAKS-2017 aerospace show. Outwardly, it differs little from the famous predecessor, but it has a completely new electronic "stuffing": the "Zhuk-A" radar with an active phased array, capable of tracking up to 30 air targets at a distance of up to 200 kilometers; three-channel electronic-remote control system (early MiG-29 flew by mechanic); advanced engines RD-33MK with controlled thrust vector; built-in and container optical-location stations; helmeted targeting and targeting system. The MiG-35S increased combat load, fuel reserve, engine life, and the cost of flying hours was reduced by 2.5 times.

The fighter's on-board radio electronic equipment includes a small-sized active interference station MSP-418KE in container design, intended for the individual protection of aircraft of this type from existing and prospective ground and air interceptors.

According to flight characteristics, the Russian lightweight fighter surpasses the main competitor in the weight category in the world arms market - American F-16C Block 50/52. The MiG-35 accelerates to 2560 kilometers per hour (against 2120 kilometers from the F-16), rises to a height of 17.5 thousand meters (against 15.2 thousand meters from the F-16), its maximum take-off mass is 29.7 tons against 21.7 for F-16). Both aircraft carry quick-firing aircraft cannons as artillery armament and have nine suspension points for various airborne weapons - guided and unmanaged air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions.

But the main advantage of the MiG-35 in front of the F-16 in close-range air combat is engines with a deflected thrust vector. Thanks to them, the Russian airplane easily performs the most complicated aerobatics: Nesterov's loop, Pugachev's cobra, a bell, barrels, half-caps and much more. Previously, this was only capable of a heavy super-maneuverable Su-35. It is important to note that aerobatics are not just "show-off" for an air show. Due to rapid changes in the direction and speed of the flight, the MiG-35 will go into the tail of any less maneuverable aircraft without much hassle. And to knock down the enemy, who "bared" the back hemisphere, is a matter of a few seconds.
Development prospects

The tactics of the combat employment of the new fighter are to be developed by pilots from the Strizhi group. This famous division of aerobatics will transfer to the MiG-35 one of the first. Then the planes will be sent to the combat units of the military aerial reconnaissance. According to some media, they will be based on airfields in the Moscow region and the Kursk region. Thus, the role of these aircraft is to provide air support to land units in the event of an armed conflict on the western borders of the country. It is expected that until 2020, the VCS will receive about 30 frontal fighters.

In addition to the basic version of the MiG-35S, two MiG-35Ds are being prepared for production. Over time, they can become the main combat training aircraft for frontline aviation pilots. "This light fighter is very economical.It is suitable for training cadets at the graduate course, for training pilots in combat units and mastering all types of piloting equipment, maneuvers, all weapons," explained the commander of the Russian Air Force Viktor Bondarev.

In addition, at the moment, the possibility of creating a ship version of the MiG-35 is under consideration. It is known that the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" (KRET) has already adapted a new landing system for the deck of BINS-SP-2 under the fighter. It autonomously determines the location of the aircraft in the absence of satellite navigation and communication with ground services, prompting the pilot, at which point to make this or that maneuver.

This fighter has a great future not only in Russia, but also abroad. Of the 56 MiG-29 operators, more than half are already interested in acquiring MiG-35 aircraft. They have all the necessary infrastructure for servicing these machines. Experts call India one of the largest potential buyers of a front-line fighter. The delegation from Delhi particularly studied the aircraft at the MAKS-2017 airshow.

In April, it became known that the RAC "MiG" participates in the tender of the Indian Air Force, which involves the purchase of 110 fighters for a total of $ 20 billion. Competitors on the tender - Western concerns Boeing, Lockheed Martin and SAAB. According to Ilya Tarasenko, General Director of RAC MiG, his enterprise does not exclude the prospect of transferring to the Indian side the key technologies underlying the new aircraft. This effective marketing move will give the MiG-35 additional competitive advantages.

NOTE: IMO perhaps this aircraft along with the Su-34 will indeed replace the Su-25 over time.

Two MiG-29 fighters joined the Russian airbase in Armenia.

Maybe from those in Kursk that were replaced by Su-30SMs??

http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5360285

George1 wrote:Two MiG-29 fighters joined the Russian airbase in Armenia.

Maybe from those in Kursk that were replaced by Su-30SMs??

http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5360285

Another article called them upgraded Mig-29's. We will have to wait, no mention in any article of Mig-29SMT's.

It would be time to mass produce them. They developed the newest one and showed it on weapons expositions which is an upgraded fga-35 3D with 260km range.

They seem to be working hard on them. A mig 35 without AESA is not a mig-35 but a mig29 M.

And yes, no PESA on mig-29 family at all.

KUBINKA (Moscow region), Aug. 22 - RIA Novosti. The Russian Defense Ministry and MiG signed a contract to supply six new MiG-35 light fighters until 2023, the RIA Novosti correspondent reports from the signing ceremony.

This is the first contract for the delivery of this type of aircraft. Under the agreement, the military department will receive aircraft in the modifications "UB" and "C".

franco wrote:KUBINKA (Moscow region), Aug. 22 - RIA Novosti. The Russian Defense Ministry and MiG signed a contract to supply six new MiG-35 light fighters until 2023, the RIA Novosti correspondent reports from the signing ceremony.

This is the first contract for the delivery of this type of aircraft. Under the agreement, the military department will receive aircraft in the modifications "UB" and "C".

5 years for 6 jets ? Seriously ? Where are the 36 that they said they will order ?