The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. Classified as a 4.5 generation jet fighter aircraft, the only existing prototype is the third modification of the existing MiG-29M2 airframe which previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. The MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent which exceeds its previous criteria of classification.
The Mikoyan MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG". Its vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new AESA radar and the uniquely designed Optical Locator System (OLS), relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-controlled interception (GCI) systems and enables it to conduct independent multi-role missions.
MiG-35 Specifications
General characteristics- Crew: one or two
- Length: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
- Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Empty weight: 11,000 kg
- Loaded weight: 17,500 kg (33,069 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 29,700 kg (50,076 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 (19,800 lbf) each
MiG-35 Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,491 mph) at altitude
- Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)
- Ferry range: 3,100 km (1,930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks
- Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
- Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min)
- Thrust/weight: 1.14
MiG-35 Armament
- 1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 250 rounds
- Nine weapon pylons:
- AA-10 Alamo: 4x R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ET
- AA-8 Aphid: 4x R-60M
- AA-11 Archer: 8x R-73E, R-73M, R-74M
- AA-12 Adder: 8x R-77
- AS-17 Krypton: 4x Kh-31A, Kh-31P Anti-Radiation Missile
- AS-14 Kedge: 4x Kh-29T, Kh-29L
- AS-20: 4x Kh-59 Anti-Ship Missile
- KAB-500L 500kg Laser-guided bomb, KAB-500T TV-guided bomb
- FAB-250 250kg unguided-bombs, FAB-500 500kg unguided-bomb
- S-24, S-25L, S-250, S-13, S-8 unguided and laser-guided rockets
- ZAB-500 Fuel-Air Explosive Bomb
- More than 6 tons of payload on external hardpoints
MiG-35 Avionics
- Phazotron N010 Zhuk Family including Zhuk AE AESA Radar on MIG-35.
- NII PP Optical Locator System
MiG-35 Features
The most important changes are the Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the RD-33MK engines and the newly designed Optical Locator System (OLS). Other obvious changes in the cockpit are the reduction in analog electronics.
MiG-35 Powerplant
The RD-33MK "Morskaya Osa" was installed by the new modification. It is the latest version of the RD-33 and was intended to power the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB. It has 7% more power compared to the baseline model due to the use of modern materials in the cooled blades, providing a higher thrust of 9,000 kgf. In response to earlier criticism, the new engines are smokeless and include systems that reduce infrared and optical visibility. The engines may be fitted with vectored-thrust nozzles, which would result an increase in combat efficiency by 12 to 15%.
MiG-35 Cockpit
Analog electronics are minimized, being replaced by 3 equal-size color liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and an additional display for the OLS (the MiG-35D rear cockpit has four LCDs).
MiG-35 Sensors
New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an optronic complex consisting of the newly designed OLS to replace the previous IRST sensor, an additional OLS under the right air intake, and a pair of laser emission detectors on each wing tip.
The new airborne AESA radar offers a wider range of operating frequencies, providing more resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), more detection range, more air and ground targets detected, tracked and able to be engaged simultaneously.
The OLS, a new development from space technologies, incorporates a helmet-mounted target designation system providing targeting solutions for both ground and air targets in the forward and aft hemispheres of the aircraft. The most vital difference from the previous IRST sensor is that the new device provides not only a better operation range but also offers manually switchable display options of IR view, TV mode or a mix of both that significantly improves man-machine coordination. The OLS on the nose serves as the IRST while the OLS under the right air intake serves as the ground strike designator.
Summary statistic of the OLS
In air combat, the optronic suite allows:
- Detection of non-afterburning targets at 45 km range and more;
- Identification of those targets at 8 to 10 km range; and
- Estimates of aerial target range at up to 15 km.
For ground targets, the suite allows:
- A tank-effective detection range up to 15 km, and aircraft carrier detection at 60 to 80 km;
- Identification of the tank type on the 8 to 10 km range, and of an aircraft carrier at 40 to 60 km; and
- Estimates of ground target range of up to 20 km.
The Mikoyan MiG-35 defensive system equipment consists of radar reconnaissance, electronic countermeasures, and optical systems — notably the laser emission detector on each wingtip — which are able to detect and evaluate the approaching danger and operate decoy dispensers to counteract the approaching threat in the radar and infrared ranges.
