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[[Image:MiG35.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The '''[[Mikoyan-Gurevich|Mikoyan]] Project 1.44/1.42''' is a [[Russian Air Force]] prototype fifth-generation air-superiority fighter aircraft. Apart from a number of variations along the lines of Object/Project 1.44/1.42, the aircraft is also known as the '''MiG-MFI''', and (apparently unofficially) as the '''MiG-35''' and even '''MiG-39'''. Despite the prototype status of Project 1.44/1.42, NATO has assigned the reporting name "Flatpack" to this aircraft. The relationship between the 1.44 and 1.42 designations is unclear outside the military world, and these are generally used interchangeably. For the sake of simplicity, the '''1.44''' designation (the first known publicly in the West) is used throughout this article.
The 1.44 was Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau's entry to Russia's ''Многофункциональный Фронтовой Истребитель'' (''Mnogofounksionalni Frontovoi Istrebiel'' - Multifunctional Frontline Fighter) program (a development program that originated in the [[1980|1980s]], similar to the [[Advanced Tactical Fighter]] program held in the United States). It was designed to compete with and supersede the American [[Lockheed F-22 Raptor|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor]] in all aspects. It is comparable to the F-22 and the European [[EFA-2000 Typhoon/Eurofighter|EFA-2000 Eurofighter]]. Many of its design features are similar to those found on fifth generation Western fighters, including [[thrust vectoring]], [[supercruise|supersonic cruise]], [[stealth technology]], and modern avionics. Looking back upon its development history, the 1.44 served purely as a technological showcase and testbed for future aircraft designs, not as an actual air superiority fighter.
==Development==
The '''MiG 1.44/1.42''' has been shrouded in mystery throughout the course of its existence. The Russian government cancelled the MFI program in [[1997 in aviation|1997]] due to the unacceptably high per-unit cost of the aircraft (Ф2.05 billion RUR ($70 million USD)). Development continued, with the first test flight taking place on [[February 29]] [[2000 in aviation|2000]] and two confirmed test flights in [[2001 in aviation|2001]]. In Russia's abandonment of the MFI program, the PAK FA (''Перспективному Авиационному Комплексу Фронтовой Авиации - Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi'' - Prospective Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program was initiated for the development of an aircraft designed to fill a role similar to that of the F-22, and come at a size and cost similar to that of the [[F-35 Joint Strike Fighter]]. In 2001, [[Indian Air Force|India]] agreed with Russia to make the PAK FA program a development/production joint-venture between the two nations. Both Mikoyan-Gurevich and Sukhoi submitted concepts to the Defense Ministry for the PAK FA program (MiG entering an updated Project 1.44), but the Russian Defense Ministry selected the [[Sukhoi Design Bureau]] as the primary contractor for the PAK FA fighter. Design work has commenced on a backward-swept winged derivative of Sukhoi's experimental [[Sukhoi Su-47|Su-47 Berkut]] aircraft. PAK FA proves to be a very ambitious program, with production of the PAK FA fighter planned to commence in 2010. MiG-MAPO and [[Yakovlev]] have also been mentioned as secondary contractors. The MiG 1.44 is currently serving 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. Other details are not yet known.
==Description==
[[Image:MiG35_line.gif|left|300px]]
The 1.44 is a [[delta wing|delta-winged]], twin-tailed single seat air superiority/strike fighter with an all-moving forward [[canard]] plane. Its physical appearance and design characteristics most resemble the EFA-2000 Eurofighter (both of which provided much inspiration in the design of the [[PLAAF|People's Republic of China]] [[Chengdu J-10]]). It is powered by two Lyulka AL-41F afterburning, thrust vectored turbofan jet engines, each generating 175 kN (39,340 lbf) of thrust (these engines are still in development). Both engines are fed by a single air intake placed under the fuselage. The 35-ton aircraft has a theoretical at-altitude maximum speed of Mach 2.6 (which would make it faster than the F-22, and in the class of the variable geometry [[F-14 Tomcat]]), and is capable of long-term supersonic flight. The 1.44 has a [[tricycle landing gear]] system, with a single, dual-wheel landing gear in the front, and two in the rear. Avionics on the 1.44 are considered cutting-edge by Western standards: the [[Glass cockpit|glass-cockpit-enabled]] fighter features a [[Radar|pulse Doppler radar]] with a [[phased array|phased aerial 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. The excellent radar system also enables the 1.44 to compete with the likes of the F-22 at [[beyond visual range]] (BVR) aerial combat. The handling and manoeuvrability characteristics of the 1.44 are estimated to be on par with that of the F-22, since the MiG features thrust vectoring, digital [[fly-by-wire]] flight control, and two powerful engines. Its internal bay is large enough to carry 8 R-77 missiles.
==Specifications (Project 1.44)==
''Note: Since the 1.44 never went beyond pre-production, most of these numbers are highly speculative.''
===General Characteristics===
* '''Crew:''' one, pilot
* '''Length:''' 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
* '''Wingspan:''' 15 m (89 ft 6 in)
* '''Height:''' 4.50 m (49 ft 3 in)
* '''Wing area:''' m² ( ft²)
* '''Empty (estimated):''' 15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
* '''Loaded:''' kg ( lb)
* '''Maximum takeoff (estimated):''' 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)
* '''Powerplant:''' 2x [[Lyulka AL-41]]F, 175 kN (39,340 lbf) thrust each (Experimental model)
===Performance===
* '''Maximum speed (estimated):''' 2,750 km/h (1,720 mph), Mach 2.6
* '''Range (estimated):''' 4,000 km (2,500 miles)
* '''Service ceiling:''' m ( ft)
* '''Rate of climb:''' m/min ( ft/min)
* '''Wing loading:''' kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
* '''Thrust-to-weight:'''
===Armament===
* '''Guns:'''
[[Cannon]], 30 mm, [[Izhmash GSh-301]]
* '''Ordnance, Air-to-Air:'''
[[R-77 AA-12 Adder|AA-12 Adder R-77,]][[Missile| Missile,]][[R-77 AA-12 Adder| Medium Range, Radar Guided]]
AA-11 Archer R-73, Missile, Short Range, IR Guided
K-37, Missile, Long Range, Radar Guided
K-74, Missile, Short Range, IR Guided
* '''Ordnance, Air-to-Ground:'''
Unknown. Probably any late generation [[AGM]] or small-diameter free fall [[bomb]] in the Russian inventory.
==External Links==
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/mfi.htm FAS.org MiG-35 Page]
* [http://aeroweb.lucia.it/~agretch/RAFAQ/MiG1.42.html MiG Project 1.42 Article, Alexei Gretchikhine]
==Related content==
'''Related development:''' [[Mikoyan MiG-31|Mikoyan MiG-31]] -
[[MiG-25|Mikoyan MiG-25]]
'''Comparable aircraft:'''
[[F/A-22 Raptor]] -
[[YF-23|YF-23 Black Widow II]] -
[[Eurofighter Typhoon]] -
[[Sukhoi Su-47|Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut]] -
[[Chengdu J-10]]
'''Designation sequence:'''
[[Mikoyan MiG-27|MiG-27]] -
[[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29]] -
[[Mikoyan MiG-31|MiG-31]] -
[[Mikoyan MiG-33|MiG-33]] -
'''MiG-35'''
[[de:Mikojan-Gurewitsch 1.44]]
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[[Category:Russian fighter aircraft 2000-2009]]
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