Mikoyan LMFS

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]

Mikoyan LMFS
Wind tunnel model from 2015 of the MiG-XX LMFS. This may not represent the final design of the plane.
Role Stealth light multirole fighter
Manufacturer Mikoyan
Status Under development
Primary user Russian Air Force
Developed from Mikoyan Project 1.44, Sukhoi Su-57

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 11-ton thrust engine based on the RD-33MK-35 engine used by the MiG-35. This new updated engine is expected to be 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] The aircraft could have canard wings, internal weapons bays and an empty weight of roughly 33,000 lbs and a maximum takeoff weight of 55,000 lbs.[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, even though the latest wind tunnel mock up of the plane shows a twin-engine aircraft .[3][5]

According to Russian aviation expert Piotr Butowski, the MiG LMFS will be 15.5 m long, with a wingspan of 11.5 m, just one internal weapon bay, a maximum take-off weight of 24.5 t, a maximum speed of Mach 2 at high altitude, and a range of 4000 km with suspended tanks.

Development

United Aircraft Corporation is developing the MiG LMFS out of its own funds,[3] 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] Indeed, Alexei Fedorov, President of Irkut, said that any decision on applying fifth-generation technologies to produce a smaller fighter, such as the MiG LMFS, must wait until after the heavy fighter Sukhoi Su-57 enters full production,[6] which is due to happen in 2020. Since the MiG LMFS is not included in the Russia's state armament programme 2020–2027, UAC hopes that the export sales of MiG-35 and MiG-29 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 used to help advance the development of the LMFS; the funds of a foreign co-investor being beneficial.[7]

On 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]

On December 20, 2020, the Head of the Rostec State Corporation (which owns Mikoyan) has announced that they were currently working ″to develop a combat aviation system of the future in its light and medium classes.″[10] He also stated that the company is currently working on the concept and the operational requirements of the plane, and that Rostec is doing this on their own initiative so far, without state budget funds. This advanced fifth-generation fighter will be single-engine, with the option of being either manned or unmanned. [11] It was announced later that Mikoyan is the firm in charge of creating this light strike fighter.[12] The aircraft might be a totally new platform, or it could also be based on the MiG LMFS, or be a variant of the MiG LMFS itself, in order to capitalize on the years of research already made on that light fighter.

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Majumdar, Dave (14 February 2017). "Russia is Working on a New Stealth Fighter". nationalinterest.org. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  2. ЛМФС. Paralay.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  3. ПАК ФА Т-50 Archived 2016-03-08 at the Wayback Machine. Paralay.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  4. Pike, John. "Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet (LMFS) [Light Multi-Function Frontal Aircraft] Light Multi-Role Tactical Aircraft". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  5. http://espacial-org.blogspot.com/2015/11/modelos-de-aviones-furtivos-rusos1.html
  6. "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.
  7. la russie pourrait rejoindre le programme de chasseur nouvelle generation turque
  8. В России начались работы над новым легким фронтовым истребителем
  9. Le constructeur russe MiG RSK planche sur un nouvel avion de combat léger de 5e génération
  10. https://eurasiantimes.com/why-russias-newest-fighter-jet-with-both-manned-unmanned-variant-is-a-great-idea-that-is-likely-to-fail/
  11. https://www.airway1.com/russia-is-developing-a-new-single-engine-fighter/
  12. https://www.interfax.ru/interview/741378
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