Mikoyan Project 1.44

Project 1.44

Picture - An artist's conception of the MiG 1.44 technology demonstrator with delta wing design

Role: Air-superiority fighter, multirole fighter
National origin: Russia
Manufacturer: Mikoyan
First flight: 29 February 2000
Status: Technology demonstrator
Primary user: Russian Air Force

The Mikoyan Project 1.44/1.42 is a technology demonstrator developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau. Apart from a number of names along the lines of "Object/Project 1.44/1.42", the aircraft is also known as the MiG-MFI. Although the MFI was once unofficially referred to as the MiG-35, MiG is now using this designation for an advanced Mikoyan MiG-29.

Development

The 1.44 was Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau's entry to Russia's (Mnogofounksionalni Frontovoi Istrebitel - Multifunctional Frontline Fighter) program, which originated in 1986, similar to the United States' Advanced Tactical Fighter. It was designed to compete with the American Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Many of its design features are similar to those found on 4.5 generation Western fighters, including supercruise ability and modern avionics. The 1.44 served mainly as a technological showcase and testbed for future aircraft designs, not as an actual air superiority fighter prototype.

The MiG 1.44 program has been shrouded in mystery throughout the course of its existence. The Russian government cancelled the MFI program in 1997 due to its unacceptably high unit cost (Ф2.05 billion RUR, US$70 million). Development continued, with the first test flight taking place on February 29, 2000 and two confirmed test flights in 2001. Despite the non-production status of the 1.44/1.42, NATO assigned it the reporting name "Flatpack".

After the cancellation of the MFI program the PAK FA - Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi - Prospective Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program was initiated in order to develop an advanced air superiority fighter to fill a role similar to that of the F-22, and at cost similar to that of the F-35 Lightning II. In 2001, India agreed with Russia to make the PAK FA program a development/production joint-venture between the two nations. Both Mikoyan and Sukhoi submitted concepts to the Defense Ministry for the PAK FA program, with MiG entering an updated Project 1.44. The Russian Defense Ministry selected the Sukhoi Design Bureau as the primary contractor for the PAK FA fighter. MiG-MAPO and Yakovlev have also been mentioned as secondary contractors. The MiG 1.44 formerly served as a technology demonstrator for the PAK FA program. The in-development PAK FA aircraft will use the same in-development Lyulka AL-41F engine planned for the 1.44.

Design

The 1.42/44 is a delta wing, twin-tailed single seat air superiority/strike fighter with an all-moving forward canard plane. It has a tricycle landing gear system, with a single, dual-wheel landing gear in the front, and two single-wheels in the rear. It is powered by two Lyulka AL-41F afterburning, thrust vectored turbofan engines. Both engines are fed by two air intakes placed side by side under the fuselage. The intakes include serpentine ducts covered in radar adsorbent material. It features an internal weapons bay between the engines. Weapons and fuel tanks can be carried under the wings as well.

The 35-ton aircraft has a maximum speed of over Mach 2 at altitude, and is capable of long-term supersonic flight. The fighter is equipped with a glass cockpit and features a Pulse-Doppler radar with a passive electronically scanned array antenna. The radar system is linked to a fire control system that allows the fighter to engage up to twenty separate targets at the same time.

Variants

MiG 1.42/42 Primary version which may go onto production; the functions are better than that of the 1.44. NATO named it "Foxglove".

MiG 1.44 Demonstrator prototype with failure upgrades; will remain a demonstrator. 2 have been built. NATO named it "Flatpack".

Operators

Russia

Russian Air Force

Specifications (Project 1.42/44)

Picture - 4 view illustration

Note: Since the 1.44 and 1.42 never went beyond pre-production, most of the specifications are estimated.

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 19 m (63 ft)
Wingspan: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 4.50 m (15 ft)
Empty weight: 18,000 kg (40,000 lb)
Loaded weight: 28,000 kg (62,000 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,000 lb)
Powerplant: 2x— Lyulka AL-41F afterburning turbofans, 176 kN (39,680 lb) each

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 2.6 (2761 km/h, 1716 mph)
Range: 4,000 km (2,500 mi)
Service ceiling: 27,000 m (70,720 ft)

Armament

Guns: 1x— 30 mm Izhmash GSh-301 cannon, 250 rounds
Missiles: R-77 (AA-12 Adder) medium-range radar-guided missiles, R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range IR-guided missiles, K-37 long-range radar-guided missiles, K-74 short-range IR-guided missiles
Payload: likely any AGM or small-diameter free fall bomb in the Russian inventory

Sukhoi PAK FA
Sukhoi/HAL FGFA

Related development

Mikoyan Project LFI

Comparable aircraft

F-22 Raptor
F-35 Lightning II
Sukhoi Su-47
Shenyang J-XX
Mitsubishi ATD-X
Medium Combat Aircraft

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Source: WikiPedia