Mikoyan LMFS
| Mikoyan LMFS | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Stealth light multirole fighter |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan |
| Status | Under development |
| Primary user | Russian Air Force |
| Developed from | Mikoyan Project 1.44 |
The Mikoyan LMFS (Russian: Микоян ЛМФС) Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet (LMFS)—or Light Multi-Function Frontal Aircraft,[1], also known as the MiG-XX, is a proposed light Russian single-seat all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft, loosely based on the cancelled Mikoyan Project 1.44. It is designed to replace the Mikoyan MiG-29 and MiG-35 and support the Sukhoi Su-57 in combat.[2]
Background
After the Cold War, Russia started to develop a multirole combat aircraft as replacement for MiG-29, in light of the US Joint Strike Fighter program.
Design
Developed by the United Aircraft Corporation (OAK), this light fighter is believed to incorporate an engine based on the RD-33 engine, manufactured at the Klimov factory. The engine is supposed to be fifth generation, utilizing the latest advancements in turbine and combustion chamber technology, and receiving only minor changes to the fan blades.[3] Aircraft will have canard wings, internal weapons bays and an empty weight of roughly 33,000lbs and a maximum takeoff weight of 55,000lbs.[1][4] It is possible that Mikoyan may revise the design into a single-engine configuration by using the Sukhoi Su-57's next-generation izdeliye 30 engines.[5]
Development
United Aircraft Corporation is developing the MiG LMFS out of its own funds[5], the Russian MoD preferring to wait for the Su-57 to enter serial production before starting to finance the construction of another smaller stealth fighter.[6]. UAC hopes that the export sales of MiG-35 will be enough to help sustain the development of a new aircraft.
It is reported that, with the US decision not to export F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey anymore, Turkish authorities may decide to acquire instead the Russian Su-57 with Russia sharing some of its technology to Turkey. If this happens, Turkey would in exchange share some of its TAI TF-X stealth light fighter technology to MiG, which would be use to help advance the development of the LMFS.[7]
In April 16, 2020, after a long hiatus, United Aircraft Corporation announced on Twitter that MiG had restarted their research on a light fifth-generation stealth jet fighter. This new fighter is likely to support the Su-57 during missions. It is said that at the end of 2019, MiG placed an order for the aerodynamic calculation of a light multi-functional front-line twin-engine aircraft, comparable with foreign analogues, for the period 2020-25. The cost of work is estimated at 4 million rubles[8]. The CEO of MiG, as well as Alexander Vatagin, the general manager of the engine manufacturer Klimov, have said that the engines of this new MiG jet would be more powerful than those of the Mikoyan MiG-35[9].
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b Majumdar, Dave (14 February 2017). "Russia is Working on a New Stealth Fighter". nationalinterest.org. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ ЛМФС. Paralay.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
- ^ ПАК ФА Т-50 Archived 2016-03-08 at the Wayback Machine. Paralay.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
- ^ Pike, John. "Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet (LMFS) [Light Multi-Function Frontal Aircraft] Light Multi-Role Tactical Aircraft". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ a b ПАК ФА Т-50 Archived 2016-03-08 at the Wayback Machine. Paralay.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
- ^ "Легкий истребитель 5-го поколения будет создан на базе технологий тяжелого перспективного истребителя (in Russian)". Archived 18 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine arms-tass.su. Retrieved: 26 January 2011.
- ^ la russie pourrait rejoindre le programme de chasseur nouvelle generation turque
- ^ В России начались работы над новым легким фронтовым истребителем
- ^ Le constructeur russe MiG RSK planche sur un nouvel avion de combat léger de 5e génération
External links
