Jan 27 2017
By Tom
Demerly
MiG-35 Demo
is Both Product Debut and Contrast of Russian and Western Doctrine in the F-35
Era.
In a widely
publicized event on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
(MiG) parented by United Aircraft Corporation officially demonstrated the new
MiG-35 to the Russian government. A subsequent demonstration for export
customers was carried out today Jan. 27.
Russian
President Vladimir Putin is reported to have viewed the first demonstration via
remote video due to poor weather in the region.
The new
MiG-35 (NATO reporting name: “Fulcrum Foxtrot”) is a greatly upgraded aircraft
based on the earlier MiG-29 airframe. Significant upgrades on the MiG-35
include a completely new fly-by-wire flight control system, vastly improved
cockpit, substantially upgraded avionics and an overall design philosophy that
provides an enhanced degree of operational autonomy on the MiG-35 compared to
earlier Russian combat aircraft. The MiG-35 will also integrate
precision-guided targeting capability for air-to-ground weapons, a rarity in
previous Russian air-ground doctrine.
The MiG-35 unveiled on Jan. 27, 2017.
There is a
significant engine upgrade on the new MiG-35. The aircraft uses two impressive
Klimov RD-33OVT engines fitted with bi-directional thrust vectoring nozzles.
This contrasts aircraft like the current Russian Su-35 and the U.S. F-22 Raptor
that only use single-axis vertical thrust vectoring.
This marks a
fascinating departure from previous Soviet-era combat aircraft capabilities
while retaining the Russian penchant for lower unit cost in exchange for
numerical superiority, a doctrine that has pervaded Russian military thinking
for the entire century.
The Russians
have always traded unit capability for numerical superiority, relying on the
hope that quantity would beat quality in a major conflict. Interestingly, this
doctrine has shifted moderately toward a centrist mix of quality and quantity
apparently in search of the best solution for indigenous use as well as
attracting export buyers.
The new
MiG-35 is an example of this shift.
Russia has
included significant sensor and capability upgrades on all recent combat
aircraft, especially ones intended for the export market. Additionally, the
reported domestic production for MiG-35 is only 37 aircraft, a very small
acquisition by older Soviet and even modern Russian standards. A larger
production capacity is earmarked for export sales, likely in the form of a
50-unit order from Egypt.
Reports
indicate the Egyptian MiG-35s are to be fitted with a new advanced targeting
pod, the PPK targeting pod from Precision Instrument Systems. The new PPK
thermal imager/TV and laser rangefinder allows the MiG-35 to autonomously guide
precision munitions similarly to how the current U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle
prosecutes ground targets. Previous Russian doctrine relied heavily on ground
vectors to attack targets.
Somewhat
interestingly, the indigenous MiG-35 is fitted with a Russian NPK-SPP OLS-K electro-optical
targeting system. The OLS-K targeting and surveillance system is mounted
directly to the aircraft below the right (starboard) fuselage on the engine
nacelle in front of the elevators. It is not a removable pod. The OLS-K sensor
can track moving vehicles from 20 kilometers and surface contacts at sea for 40
kilometers. An integrated laser rangefinder computes target distance up to 20
kilometers for weapons employment. There is also laser designation for guided
weapons built into the pod.
The OLS-K targeting and surveillance system is mounted on the engine nacelle in front of the elevators
The new
MiG-35 provides Russia and export customers with a uniquely scaled precision
strike capability that may be a better fit for countries with smaller defense
budgets. The MiG-35 contrasts aircraft like the larger (and more expensive)
Sukhois. If a client’s ground strike requirements involve shorter range in a
tactical rather than strategic setting the MiG-35 may be the right size and
cost aircraft.
Given recent
problems throughout the Middle East and Africa with managing strike accuracy
and reducing the exposure to collateral damage from air strikes this may be an
important export asset for Russia and its defense industry clients.
Image credit:
Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
Original
post: theaviationist.com
Related post:
MiG-35: Details
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