From rec.aviation.military FAQ by Ross Smith (avfaq@meanmach.actrix.gen.nz)
From rec.aviation.military FAQ by Ross Smith (avfaq@meanmach.actrix.gen.nz)
Also known as MFI (Multirole Fighter/Interceptor), and sometimes referred to in the West as "ATFski", Mikoyan's Project 1.42 is a low-visibility multirole fighter, with air superiority as the primary mission, intended as an Su-27/35 replacement; in short, the Russian equivalent of the F-22. The 1.42 is one of the few Mikoyan projects to survive the recent wave of defence budget cuts from the Kremlin, although its schedule has apparently been slowed by shortage of funds as well as technical problems. The first airframe is reported to be already complete, but problems with the engines have delayed the first flight, now expected to be in September 1994.
Jane's Defence Weekly and Flight International have published CAD images of the 1.42; they show an aircraft resembling a scaled-up F-16, with two engines with vectored-thrust nozzles, inward-canted twin tails, slightly downturned wingtips, Rafale-like rounded intakes, and possibly foreplanes. The 1.42, like the F-22, can carry weapons both internally and externally. It is expected to enter service about 2004 to 2006; service designation will probably be MiG-35.
The related Project 7.01, a heavier and stealthier interceptor designed along similar lines, has been cancelled.
The only available vital statistic is a maximum take-off weight of 30000 kilograms.
Belosvet (chef Disajner by MiG) stated that MiG-1.42 would have more range as F-22 and would more versatile. Also he said that F-22 is good only for air combat, but MiG-1.42 also for SEAD, Strike (Original programm started as MFI -Mngofunctionallnij istrebitel -Many purpose fighter) MiG-1.42 also as F-22 have an internal storage for weapon (for stealth capability). A west source stated that MiG-1.42 is more stealth advanced as Rafal or E-2000. Chef Disainer for Lulka steted ,that new engine AL-41F for MiG-1.42 is no inferior from he's west adversary PW, have 250 grad C more temperatur in combusion chamber as by Al-31(Su-27) but short live-time.
Dr. Silicon (pross@soho.ios.com) wondered:
>Any news on wheather the MiG 1-42 was unvailed to the public?
No, it has not been unveiled and it has not flown. And most probably, it never will. I believe I have the right for such statement with my 13 years working expereince in Mikoyan design bureau (1978-1991) at relatively high position.
In March this year I talked with MAPO MIG general director Vladimir Kuzmin, asking him about the reasons of delays of the programme. He said: "Not everything depends on us, much depends on Russia's ministry of defence. If all problems with the ministry of defence would have been solved, I believe everything depends on us, much depends on Russia's ministry of defence. If all problems with the ministry of defence would have been solved, I believe we could take the MFI into the air in about six months". The MFI (object 1.42) stands in Russian for Mnogofunktsionalny Frontovoi Istrebitel (Multifunctional Frontline Fighter).
One of the generals of the RusAF headquarters confirmed that there is no money to continue the programme. For me it is absolutely obvious that even if the technology demonstrator called 1-44 and sitting in a hangar at Zhukovsky would fly some day, and I have strong doubts even about that, Russia cannot afford a 30+ ton new generation combat jet with its current defence budget, it is extremely unlikely that the situation would change in the coming 10-15 years regardless of any possible changes in political leadership, and there is no hope that this programme would ever reach squadron service.
The best the RusAF could get in the foreseeable future are modifications of the current Sukhoi Su-25s and Su-27s, i.e. Su-39, Su-34 and Su-35, and MAPO MiG-29M. And even these modernisation programmes have BIG question marks on them.
