MiG-35

MiG-35
A MiG-35D
Role	Multirole fighter
National origin	Russia
Manufacturer	Mikoyan
First flight	2007
Status	Experimental
Number built	10 by 2008
Developed from	Mikoyan MiG-29M

The Mikoyan MiG-35  is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by its manufacturer. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. So far 10 prototypes have been built and are currently subject to extensive field trials. The MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent which exceeds its previous criteria of classification.
MiG Corporation first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show. The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG". 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.

MIG-35D at Aero India 2007

The first demonstrator, a dual-seat aircraft, was built on an existing MiG-29M2 airframe, which previously served as a demonstrator for modifications designated MiG-29MRCA and MiG-29M2.

Unveiling at Aero India

Russia unveiled the MiG-35 at the Aero India 2007 airshow in Bangalore, amid Moscow's keenness to sell these planes to India. It was reported that the MiG-35 made its way from Moscow to Bangalore in less than three hours, assisted by in-flight refueling on the way and flying at supersonic speeds.
The MiG-35 is a contender with the Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, JAS 39 Gripen and F-16 Falcon for the bid of more than 126 multirole combat aircraft to be procured by the Indian Air Force in Indian MRCA competition.

 

Aero India 2007 was the first time that the final version of the MiG-35 fighter was displayed in an international air show. Until then, only the prototype of the MiG-35 had been shown to the public at air shows in Russia and the UK in 2005.
It was again demonstrated at Aero India 2009 held at Yelahanka Airbase near Bangalore where it was flown by an Indian Air Force pilot.

As of 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. 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.

The MiG-35 is currently in development. Information listed below is preliminary and may change.

MiG-35 is a strong contender in india's future weapon development program. 126 MiG-35 could be ordered by indian government as part of mordenising indian air force  

 

General characteristics

• Crew: one or two
• Length: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
• Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
• Loaded weight: 17,500 kg (38,600 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 29,700 kg (65,500 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans
  • Dry thrust: 5,400 kgf, 53.0 kN (11,900 lbf) each
  • Thrust with afterburner: 9,000 kgf, 88.3 kN (19,800 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 (2,400 km/h, 1,491 mph) at altitude; 1,450 km/h (901 mph) at low-level
• Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)
• Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi)
• Ferry range: 3,100 km (1,930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks
• Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
• Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min)
• Thrust/weight: 1.03
• Max Maneuvering Load Factor: 10.0 g

Armament

• Guns: 1× 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, 150 rounds
• Hardpoints: 9 total (8× under-wing, 1× centre-line)
• Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-24, S-25L, S-250 unguided and laser-guided rockets
• Missiles:
  
  • Air-to-air:
    • AA-10 Alamo: 4× R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ET
    • AA-8 Aphid: 4× R-60M
    • AA-11 Archer: 8× R-73E, R-73M, R-74M
    • AA-12 Adder: 8× R-77
  • Air-to-surface:
    • AS-17 Krypton: 4× Kh-31A, Kh-31P
    • AS-14 Kedge: 4× Kh-29T, Kh-29L
• Bombs:
  
  • Guided:
    • KAB-500L: 500 kg laser-guided bomb
    • KAB-500T: 500 kg TV-guided bomb
  • Unguided:
    • FAB-250: 250 kg bomb
    • FAB-500: 500 kg bomb
    • ZAB-500 fuel-air explosive Bomb