Russia Unveiled its New MiG-35 Multirole Fighter

The MiG-35 – Russia's most advanced fighter aircraft – was officially unveiled and presented to the Russian government. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have viewed the first demonstration via remote video due to poor weather in the region.     

Role	Multirole fighter, air superiority 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]
Developed from	Mikoyan MiG-29M

Specifications[edit]

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

Data from Mikoyan MiG-29M2 basic dimensions,^[49] and deagel.com,^[50]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 or 2
• Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
• Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 38 m² (409 ft²)
• 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 (19,840 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (>2500 km/h,^[51]) at altitude;^[30] 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, aerial refueling=6000 km^[27]
• Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
• Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min^[30])
• Thrust/weight: 1.03^[52]
• Max. maneuvering load factor: 10.0 g^[50]

Armament

• Guns: 1× 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, 150 rounds
• Hardpoints: 9 total (8× under-wing, 1× centre-line) with a capacity of 7,000 kg^[14]
• 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

Avionics

• Phazotron Zhuk AE AESA radar (or other members of the Zhuk radar family)^[53]
• NII PP OLS-UEM optical location station

The new MiG-35 (NATO reporting name: “Fulcrum Foxtrot”) is a greatly upgraded aircraft based on the earlier MiG-29 airframe. Significant upgrades on the MiG-35 include a completely new fly-by-wire flight control system, vastly improved cockpit, substantially upgraded avionics and an overall design philosophy that provides an enhanced degree of operational autonomy on the MiG-35 compared to earlier Russian combat aircraft. The MiG-35 will also integrate precision-guided targeting capability for air-to-ground weapons, a rarity in previous Russian air-ground doctrine. There is a significant engine upgrade on the new MiG-35. The aircraft uses two impressive Klimov RD-33OVT engines fitted with bi-directional thrust vectoring nozzles.

According to The Aviationist, the new MiG-35 marks a departure from previous Soviet-era combat aircraft capabilities while retaining the Russian penchant for lower unit cost in exchange for numerical superiority, a doctrine that has pervaded Russian military thinking for the entire century. The Russians have always traded unit capability for numerical superiority, relying on the hope that quantity would beat quality in a major conflict. Interestingly, this doctrine has shifted moderately toward a centrist mix of quality and quantity apparently in search of the best solution for indigenous use as well as attracting export buyers.

Russia has included significant sensor and capability upgrades on all recent combat aircraft, especially ones intended for the export market. Additionally, the reported domestic production for MiG-35 is only 37 aircraft, a very small acquisition by older Soviet and even modern Russian standards. A larger production capacity is earmarked for export sales, likely in the form of a 50-unit order from Egypt.

Reports indicate the Egyptian MiG-35s are to be fitted with a new advanced targeting pod, the PPK targeting pod from Precision Instrument Systems. The new PPK thermal imager/TV and laser rangefinder allows the MiG-35 to autonomously guide precision munitions. Previous Russian doctrine relied heavily on ground vectors to attack targets.

The Aviationist also reports that the indigenous MiG-35 is fitted with a Russian NPK-SPP OLS-K electro-optical targeting system. The OLS-K targeting and surveillance system is mounted directly to the aircraft below the right (starboard) fuselage on the engine nacelle in front of the elevators. It is not a removable pod. The OLS-K sensor can track moving vehicles from 20 kilometers and surface contacts at sea for 40 kilometers. An integrated laser rangefinder computes target distance up to 20 kilometers for weapons employment. There is also laser designation for guided weapons built into the pod.

The OLS-K targeting and surveillance system is mounted on the engine nacelle in front of the elevators

The new MiG-35 provides Russia and export customers with a uniquely scaled precision strike capability that may be a better fit for countries with smaller defense budgets. The MiG-35 contrasts aircraft like the larger (and more expensive) Sukhois. If a client’s ground strike requirements involve shorter range in a tactical rather than strategic setting the MiG-35 may be the right size and cost aircraft.

Given recent problems throughout the Middle East and Africa with managing strike accuracy and reducing the exposure to collateral damage from air strikes this may be an important export asset for Russia and its defense industry clients.