MiG-41. So far, almost nothing is known about this machine - neither about its characteristics, nor even about the features of the external appearance of this aircraft. It is only known that this is the MiG-41 - a project of a heavy fighter-interceptor, which will replace the MiG-31 in the future. This promising machine is called the most closed project of the Russian defense industry. On the virtual expanses of the Internet, discussions around the new Russian aircraft have not subsided for many years.

At the beginning of this year, the vice-president of the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, Sergei Korotkov, told reporters that work on the creation of a new MiG-41 fighter continues. According to him, it will be a new generation aircraft that will replace the MiG-31 high-altitude fighter-interceptor developed in the mid-1970s. Korotkov also said that not only the designers of the OKB im. Mikoyan, but also representatives of other enterprises of the domestic defense industry.

Development is carried out according to the task that was formulated Russian Ministry defense. This means that there is no question of any work on an initiative basis (and this was often the case in the past). The military really needs a new aircraft to replace the well-deserved MiG-31. No additional information, which at least slightly opened the veil of secrecy over a promising fighter, the official did not tell reporters.

Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Viktor Bondarev spoke about the MiG-41 project. He stated that the development of a new fighter-interceptor is actively underway and is at the stage of research and development (R&D), and in 2019 R & D (experimental design work) began. The colonel-general told reporters that the adoption of the aircraft into service is planned for 2025.

Even earlier, in 2014, the well-known Russian test pilot Anatoly Kvochur spoke about the project of a new heavy fighter-interceptor. According to the pilot, the new aircraft was supposed to appear twenty years ago, and its speed was to reach Mach 4.3.

To imagine the concept and idea of ​​the machine being developed, it is not at all necessary to have access to closed laboratories or secret documents of the Ministry of Defense. You just need to understand what tasks the new fighter will perform, and what work it is intended for. And you should also take a close look at the developments of past years, at the famous MiG-31 fighter-interceptor - the first fourth-generation Soviet aircraft that took to the skies back in 1975.

MiG-31: special purpose aircraft

Work on the creation of a new high-speed long-range fighter-interceptor began in the Soviet Union in the late 60s. This machine first took to the skies in September 1975. The MiG-31 can safely and without irony be called a unique aircraft: it was capable of speeds up to 3,000 km/h, and its combat radius was 720 km. This fighter was the first aircraft in the world to be equipped with a phased array radar. The MiG-31 was armed with the latest long-range air-to-air missiles for its time.

The MiG-31 was a highly specialized aircraft, it was originally designed to intercept strategic bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, cruise missiles and even enemy satellites in low orbits.

It is curious that the flying units armed with MiG-31 aircraft had the status of units special purpose(special forces) as part of the USSR Air Force.

In the 90s, the designers of the OKB im. Mikoyan worked on the creation of a new heavy interceptor, which was supposed to replace the MiG-31. We are talking about the so-called project 701, within the framework of which it was planned to create a 62-ton giant with a maximum speed of 2.5 thousand km / h and a flight range of more than 7 thousand km. Due to the difficult economic situation in the country, this project was never implemented. Also, the projects for the deep modernization of the “thirty-first”, which were launched back in the Soviet period, ended ingloriously.

In 2008, the MiG-31 modernization program began. Almost all electronics are being replaced on fighters, they receive a new R-37 missile, which can hit the enemy at a distance of 400 km, as well as a modern Zaslon-M radar.

Today, the MiG-31 is perhaps the only domestic combat aircraft in relation to which the phrase "unparalleled in the world" is not an exaggeration. One of the main features of this car is its high cruising speed, which is more than 2.5 thousand km / h.

Despite its unique flight performance, we can safely say that such a machine is simply not needed by the vast majority of the armies of the world. MiG-31 is a highly specialized heavy high-speed interceptor aircraft, which was created to protect the vast expanses Soviet Union. Its main task is to destroy low-maneuverable targets such as cruise missiles or strategic bombers. For air combat with nimble enemy fighters, the MiG-31 is poorly suited. The maximum overload of the main armament of the fighter - R-33 air-to-air missiles - is only 4G, which does not allow to reliably hit highly maneuverable fighters.

In the Air Forces of other countries, the functions of the MiG-31 are carried out by conventional fighters of the fourth or fifth generation, or by air defense.

Video about MIG-41

But for Russia, with its gigantic expanses and huge length of borders, the use of such an aircraft is a pretty good solution. Therefore, the project of a new aircraft, which should replace the obsolete MiG-31, seems absolutely appropriate. What will the new car look like? What characteristics should it have in order to confidently solve the problem of protecting Russian air cordons in the next decade?

It should be recalled here that the service life of the MiG-31 fighters ends in 2028, and by this time a replacement for them should be ready.

What will the MiG-41 look like?

It has been repeatedly stated that the new fighter-interceptor will be developed on the basis of the MiG-31. However, it is hardly worth taking this information literally: rather, the MiG-41 will be created using the developments gained during the creation of its predecessor, as well as thirty years of experience in its use. Since the first flight of the MiG-31, technological progress in the aircraft industry has made a huge leap, so it is unlikely that the new fighter will be similar to the MiG-31.

If the speed of the new machine approaches Mach 4, then the MiG-41 could become the fastest combat aircraft in the world. With a high degree of probability, we can say that in the design and construction of a new fighter, technologies will be actively used to reduce its radar visibility. Currently, "stealth technologies" are a global trend that everyone is trying to follow. It is likely that the MiG-41 weapons will be hidden inside the fuselage of the aircraft. The estimated range of the MiG-41 is likely to be from 700 to 1300 km.

The new fighter will definitely be armed with the R-37 long-range air-to-air missile. In addition, it is reported that a new RVV-BD rocket with a dual-mode solid-propellant engine is currently being developed on its basis. So we can confidently say that if the MiG-41 is embodied in metal, then it will receive the RVV-BD as part of its weapons.

It should be understood that speaking about the moment of the possible adoption of the MiG-41 fighter, we mean, most likely, the end of the next decade. It is clear that by this time aviation technologies and aircraft weapon systems will make a significant breakthrough, and some changes may be revolutionary. Experts believe that today we are on the threshold of the birth of a new generation of aviation missiles. Rapidly developing laser weapon Americans are the most active in this direction. ten years in modern world- this is a huge period, during this time completely new technologies may appear, which we do not even know about today.

One of the main threats for Russia in the foreseeable future may be combat hypersonic aircraft, which are currently being actively developed in the United States. An example is the design of the Boeing X-51 hypersonic missile, the speed of which can reach 6,000 km/h. Such weapons systems are capable of carrying a strategic threat, and for this it is not necessary to install a nuclear weapon on them. warhead. Hypersonic missiles can hit enemy targets due to their huge kinetic energy. The colossal flight speed makes the interception of such targets a very difficult task.

Video: MIG-41 project review

The fight against hypersonic aircraft is likely to be one of the tasks that the MiG-41 will perform. In addition, this aircraft must be able to deal with traditional threats, in the form of enemy cruise missiles and bombers. It is also planned that small satellites will be launched into low orbits from this aircraft.

Another issue that the designers will have to solve during the implementation of the MiG-41 project is the “pilotability” of this aircraft. In other words, whether this fighter will be controlled by a pilot or will it become an unmanned aerial vehicle. Given the overload that a person experiences at such speeds, the second option looks much more preferable. The problem, however, is that the domestic industry - since Soviet times - has been lagging behind in the field of creating UAVs. While Russia fails to create even a modern strike drone, making a remote-controlled interceptor is a much more difficult task.

Will the MiG-41 be built?

The answer to this question mainly depends on one factor - funding. The development of a new combat aircraft is very expensive.

Of course, the global trend in recent decades is the rejection of highly specialized machines and the development of universal combat aircraft. But, as mentioned above, a heavy high-speed interceptor fits perfectly geographical conditions Russia and may be an exception to general rule.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

A heavy fighter-interceptor with superpowers MIG-41 should appear very soon and, of course, little is known about it yet. But what is voiced by the developers is simply amazing.

If the predecessor of the MIG-25, if desired, could overtake the rocket fired after him, then the modern fighter interceptor MIG-41 will become the absolute record holder in terms of speed. In confirmation of this, only one fact can testify - the best specialists of the famous Mikoyan Design Bureau are engaged in its development.

A little about MIG-31

The predecessor of the MIG-41, the “thirty-first”, in terms of technical characteristics and speed indicators, has gone so far from foreign analogues that in the next 10-15 years ahead it will remain in the leading position, the only thing is that when the “forty-first” comes out, it will move to the second line .

It is designed to detect and destroy ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft located at various altitudes. Capable of successfully shooting down modern North American F-22 and F-35 5th generation fighters. The MIG-31 quickly determines an air target located within a radius of almost 300 km using a radar with a special antenna equipped with a phased array, which has no analogue on any aircraft in the world.

The MIG-31 quickly determines an air target located within a radius of almost 300 km using a special antenna equipped with a phased array, a complete set of which is not found on any aircraft in the world.

In the arsenal of a fighter, depending on the situation, there may be various ammunition placed both on the external and on the internal sling, which include long-range missiles designed in such a way that confirmation of the location of the target is not required for their launch.

If necessary, the interceptor fighter can act as a mobile flying command post.

What will be the MIG-41

Today it is known that specialists from the OKB im. Mikoyan and the Nizhny Novgorod Design Bureau of the Sokol aircraft plant. The project was launched back in 2013 after a written order from the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, which after some time was duplicated by the order of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Information slips into the press that the new fighter will reach speeds of up to 7,000 km / h.

To date, no aircraft of this kind can accelerate to such limits.

For comparison, you can use the table, which shows the fastest fighters in the world.

As can be seen from the information presented, domestic developments are leaders today without equal. If the speed declared for the MIG-41 is consistent, it will become the absolute champion in this direction.

It should not be ruled out that all of the above modifications of Russian fighters were designed at the turn of the Soviet Union, that is, at the moment the projects are over 30 years old.

Officials' comments

In official sources, there has not yet been any information about whether this new aircraft was created or not. It is possible that he is already in the test hangars of the Design Bureau. Mikoyan and is waiting in the wings. However, this remains classified information, and today there is no information about the technical characteristics, appearance and operational data.

It is only known that the MIG-41 fighter is a modern innovative development of a modern interceptor capable of replacing the MIG-31. Due to its secrecy, work on the machine was called "the most closed idea of ​​the Russian defense industry."

There are a lot of discussions on this topic on specialized forums, but they all end with unsubstantiated forecasts and assumptions.

According to Sergei Korotkov, President of the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, in current year many separate projects were completed for the assembly of the fighter.

He once again emphasized that the modern interceptor fighter is being created in order to replace the outdated model that has been used since 1975. In addition, it was noted that not only specialists from the OKB im. Mikoyan, but also a number of representatives of other enterprises related to the Russian defense industry.

Development is being carried out on a pre-order received from the RF Ministry of Defense, since in fact the task is to replace obsolete MIG-31s ​​with a new modern modification. Korotkov did not provide any other information.

Colonel-General of the Russian Air Force Viktor Bondarev speaks as follows: "The work on the project is being carried out quite actively, at the moment the main actions are being carried out in the person of scientific researchers who transfer design documentation to start experimental design work."

Also, the commander-in-chief emphasized that the modern MIG-41 interceptor fighter will be put into service in 2025.

A few years ago, a test pilot commented on the situation by saying that a new fighter should have appeared at the turn of the century.

Predecessors: A Perspective into History

The experimental flight design bureau of Artyom Mikoyan was created on 12/8/1939, it is from this moment that the history of the predecessors of the new MIG-41 fighter can begin.

The first aircraft of the Design Bureau was created in 1940, it was the MiG-1, developed on the basis of the developments of Polikarpov. After being launched into a series and military tests, it was finalized and improved, the resulting fighter became known as.

Both aircraft took part in the Great Patriotic War, but were discontinued in 1942 due to a shortage of AM-35 aircraft engines, as the production line was transferred to the production of related AM-38 engines, which were needed for.

The time remaining until the end of the war was used by the MiG Design Bureau to develop new models of aircraft that did not go into mass production, but gave the bureau's aircraft designers experience and skills in working with aerodynamics and engines.

The history of the creation and development of jet aircraft begins almost immediately after the war. Mikoyan and Gurevich were the first to propose the MiG-9 jet fighter, a transitional model with a jet engine and a straight wing.

Since that time, the following modifications have been recognized as the best:

1. MiG-15- the first fighter of the USSR with a swept wing, had on board one 37 mm and 2 23 mm guns. Developed a speed of more than 1,000 km / h. Serial production was carried out at 9 factories, in total more than 18,000 fighters were built;
2. MIG-19- the first aircraft in the world that is capable of reaching supersonic speed. Produced since 1955 in Gorky and Novosibirsk. A total of 1,890 units were produced, which could differ various types installed weapons. By the way, air-to-air missiles were first installed on the "nineteenth";
3. MIG-21- the new interceptor of that time was created almost at the same time as the MIG-19, but received more recognition. He became the first domestic aircraft with delta wings and the most common supersonic fighter in the world;
4. MIG-23/27- took part in all the hostilities of the 80s. Aircraft with variable wing sweep, which provided the most optimal flight conditions for each specific combat conditions. This gave the fighter a tremendous advantage over its counterparts of the second and third generations. After the release of the American F-16, belonging to the next, 4th generation, the superiority was lost;
5. MIG-25 more than once confirmed the words about him that the maximum speed for him is registered only in the technical specifications. Is the numerous world record holder for these data;
6. MIG-29 was developed in the period 1972-1982. At that time, the main goal was to achieve characteristics related to increasing the reliability of the machine and meeting the desires of foreign customers.

The next model to replace the "twenty-fifth" is the MIG-31 interceptor, which has been successfully used to date and is waiting to be replaced in the face of the MIG-41 being developed - overtaking missiles.

Although the latest fighter has not yet been created, most potential opponents are already in a state of excitement, since even the outdated model of the "thirty-first" is in many ways superior to all foreign counterparts.

And according to the promises of those responsible for the design and development of the MIG-41 aircraft, it should become even more perfect.

Video

Give me the MiG-41! Or how to protect yourself from Tomahawks and hypersonic missiles by 100%

Under the heading "Top Secret" the development of the latest MiG-41 interceptor aircraft is underway. Today it is impossible even to imagine, everything that can be found in the media is the assumptions of the authors.

Previous history of the creation of the MiG-41

The MiG-41 is being developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau on the basis of the predecessor MiG-31 and its upgraded version, work has been underway since 2013. There are many involved scientific institutes. Improving interceptors for a long time was not carried out, this explains the large scope. If you miss some time, you have to make serious changes. The project will be very different from previous versions. It is not typical for the fifth generation to hang weapons on pylons, it is necessary to have a promising type of weapons, low visibility and a strong radar. As well as improve their characteristics, taking into account changes in battle tactics.

Possible appearance of the MiG-41

Russia today has a unique system missile defense since the times of the USSR, in addition to long-range and short-range air defense systems, MiG-31 fighter-interceptors have also been used to protect the sky. These are unique and effective aircraft against low-flying Tomahawk-type missiles (2 m above the sea and 5 m above land), but this technique has not been modernized by designers for a long time, and the flying one is pretty worn out, it has been serving since the times of the USSR. The presence of a sufficient number of such aircraft at their borders is a 100% peaceful sky. There are about 200 old aircraft.

Mikoyanovites hold world records for altitude and speed, range and accuracy of hitting targets. The MiG-31 is the 4th generation special forces of the most effective missile defense system in the world, with the help of an interceptor, the capabilities for intercepting air, space and sea targets are significantly expanded. NATO deploys its missile defense systems near the borders, builds and will continue to build an already deadly fleet to go to foreign shores, develops hyper-speed missiles and aircraft, the latest drones - all to gain the right of first strike as a result of creating a temporary advantage. The Atlantic military alliance constantly monitors the actions of all states on the planet with the help of space and underwater systems.

The latest upgrade is the MiG-31BM, which has not yet entered service with the VKS. And before they had time to talk about it, the leaders of the country's top military department had already announced the next project, the MiG-41. Officially, this first became known on February 28, 2014 from the mouth of the Air Force Commander-in-Chief V. Bondar. And it is expected that in 2017 prototype will begin the first design tests. At the very least, but until 2030, NATO will reckon with worn-out MiGs.

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What will be the performance characteristics of the MiG-41

The maneuverability inherent in the PAK FA is not needed by these fighters, the MiG-41 needs speed and altitude to defeat ballistic missiles and satellites in lower earth orbit from 160 to 2000 km. An important technical solution will also be the range of flights to accompany carrier aircraft nuclear missiles Tu-160 type. 5th generation all-weather fighter-interceptor will fly at all altitudes to destroy missiles first medium range of the Tomahawk type, hidden from air defense radars with a flight altitude of 2 m above the sea and 5 m above land, enveloping the terrain and covering distances of 2,500 km.

The task of the MiGs will remain the same, to quickly find a target with the help of long-range radars, release their entire arsenal in a salvo with a 100% hit rate, and also quickly hide without engaging in close combat with enemy aircraft. It is worth expecting new speed records from the car. It is worth noting that the MiG-31BM pilots are provided with an uninterrupted air supply system and are not limited in flight time. This advantage when flying into the stratosphere is important, in that part of the sky you can have complete superiority. For the same reason, we should expect unmanned control.

The speed of flights near the ground will probably remain the same 1500 km / h. And instead of Mach 2.83 at an altitude of 21 km, you can easily expect Mach 4. How high the new MiG can rise is anyone's guess, perhaps 50 km, if necessary. The case of the modernized predecessor is 50% stainless steel, 33% aluminum, 16% titanium and only 1% composite materials. Most likely, a stealth body will be created, made of composite materials, maybe like the PAK FA. For the same reason, in order to reduce the EPR of your aircraft (make it inconspicuous), you will have to change the architecture of the aircraft (hide your weapons inside).

Another possible appearance of the MiG-41

Armament of the MiG-41 - what to expect from the project

The main weapon of the MiGs today are the R-33 long-range air-to-air missiles, the improvement of which continues. Since 2011, new versions reach 200 km, not 120. For the first time, they may become weapons for the MiG-41. The rocket body consists of 4 compartments, the first one with both contact and radio fuses. The second compartment is equipped with an autopilot and a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The third compartment accommodates a dual-mode solid-propellant power plant; the rocket propulsor has an elongated gas duct with nozzle gas. Around this gas conduit is placed the fourth compartment, where gas and turbo generators, as well as control units and steering machines operating on hot gas. The homing head covers 60 degrees and works in the Zaslon system.

Rocket shapes can now be rectangular type Kh-59MK-2 and Kh-58SHKU, as for PAK FA. All types of missiles are also needed by the MiG-41, although they are not multi-purpose, but still there are enough targets for work both sea and ground. X-31P anti-radar missiles or their analogues can also be used. All of them will be subject to a weapons control system based on a powerful Zaslon-M radar. Bombs of large destructive power against fortified ground targets such as KAB-1500 and KAB-500, used by their predecessors, can also come in handy. This aircraft will have to operate in conditions of powerful electronic warfare, overcome any enemy air defense. With the first test flights, the appearance of the MiG-41 project will become known, wait a bit and it will be seen what kind of interceptor of the future it is.

MiG-31 long-range interceptors are an important element of the Russian air defense system. This equipment undergoes modernization from time to time, but in the long term it will need to be replaced. For this, work is already underway to create a promising interceptor capable of repeating the capabilities of the MiG-31, as well as surpassing it in some respects. The other day there was new information about the progress of this project.

By analogy with other new technology projects for the aerospace forces, the next sample is designated as "Promising aviation complex long-range interception "(PAK DP). In addition, from a certain time in open sources the name MiG-41 appears - it reminds of the existing interceptor, but at the same time indicates the novelty of the project. A few days ago, the PAK DP / MiG-41 project again became the subject of official statements.

On August 17, the Interfax news agency published excerpts from a conversation with CEO Russian Aircraft Corporation "MiG" Ilya Tarasenko. He once again confirmed the existence of the PAK DP project, and also announced some details of an organizational nature.

I. Tarasenko noted that the MiG-41 project is not mythical. RAC "MiG" has been dealing with it for a long time. At the same time, the corporation is the founder of the program, which is being developed. Now the development of a new interceptor is carried out under the auspices of the United Aircraft Corporation. The work is being carried out with sufficient intensity, and certain results are expected soon.

The general director of MiG said that the PAK DP project is at the stage of "experimental and scientific work." After the completion of the current work, the design organization will be able to provide the public with certain information about the new aircraft. However, the head of the enterprise did not specify the timing of the publication of data.

The topic of technical features and characteristics of the future interceptor aircraft was not raised this time. Detailed information about the purpose of the aircraft and its intended tasks also did not become the subject of conversation. The head of the enterprise limited himself only to information about the origin of the project, its current state and plans for the foreseeable future. It remains to be hoped that the statements are true, and RAC "MiG" will indeed soon be able to disclose some information about its MiG-41 / PAK DP.

The long-range interceptor MiG-31, which is currently the main aircraft of its type in the Russian Aerospace Forces, was put into service in the early eighties. In the future, the equipment went through several upgrades, and one of the renovation projects is currently being implemented. However, the life cycle of existing MiG-31s ​​is nearing completion. Last summer, the general director of RAC MiG said that over the next 10 years these aircraft would have to be written off and replaced with new machines of a similar purpose.

The first reports of plans to create a replacement for the MiG-31 date back to 2013. The initiative proposal was made by the Air Force Command and the General Staff. At that time, it was about a possible deep modernization of the existing aircraft or the creation of a new model based on it. As far as we know, this proposal has not yet been implemented in metal, but the work is ongoing and already has some results. RAC "MiG" and related enterprises have carried out a number of research works and can use the data obtained to create a promising aircraft.

A little over a year ago, in July 2017, the head of RAC MiG claimed that at that time the company was developing a concept project for a promising long-range interceptor. The work was carried out on an initiative basis and without a direct order from the Ministry of Defense. However, in the near future it was planned to submit the project to the military department. Having received approval and state support, it would be possible to proceed to the stage of research and development work.

A year ago, it was assumed that immediately after receiving an order from the Ministry of Defense, the MiG corporation would launch the necessary work. In this case, the further design and other stages of the project would take several years. The delivery of new MiG-41s could begin in the middle of the next decade.

Last year, during the international military-technical forum "Army-2017", I. Tarasenko revealed some new details of the PAK DP / MiG-41 project. He noted that new project represents a natural development of an existing aircraft. At the same time, it will differ from its predecessor from a technological point of view. The project will implement all modern developments, as a result of which the aircraft will receive new opportunities. It is planned to increase the speed and altitude of the flight. Thus, the maximum flight speed will exceed M=4. In addition, due to a number of innovations, the MiG-41 will be able to hit targets not only in the atmosphere, but also outside it.

In December last year, Viktor Bondarev, head of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, expressed his assessment of the PAK DP project. This assessment was probably based on the information available to him. V. Bondarev suggested that the MiG-41 interceptor would be the fastest in the world, and its visibility for radar detection would be reduced to a possible minimum. The range of the interception complex will be in the range from 700 to 1500 km.

The range of weapons PAK DP will include several products. First of all, this is the existing R-37 long-range air-to-air missile. Also, the aircraft can be armed promising missiles of the same class, having more high performance. With the help of such a new MiG-41, according to V. Bondarev, it will be able to deal with standard low-maneuverable threats, such as bombers, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. In addition, we should expect that the aircraft will be able to destroy hypersonic missiles.

To what extent these assumptions correspond to reality is unknown. Officials who are directly related to the PAK DP / MiG-41 project do not yet seek to disclose all the most interesting details, and therefore the main information about the future aircraft remains unknown. Among other things, this stimulates the emergence of new assessments and assumptions, sometimes the most daring.

For example, since the spring of last year, a curious assessment regarding the classification of a promising Russian aircraft regularly appears in the foreign specialized press. The MiG-41 is boldly referred to as a generation of 5+ fighters, or even to the sixth generation that does not yet exist. Such assumptions are based on information about a sharp increase in performance and expansion of combat capabilities in comparison with the existing machine. Experts suggest that the MiG-31 fighter of the fourth generation should be replaced by a machine of at least the fifth. At the same time, more daring assessments are also known, offering to “jump over” the next generation.

Bye officials they are in no hurry to disclose the technical details of the project and the characteristics of the future aircraft. In fact, the leadership of the RAC "MiG" spoke only about top speed flight, which is at least four times the speed of sound. Also mentioned was the possibility of flying at high altitudes, which, in combination with new weapons, would provide interception of targets in the upper atmosphere and near space.

Available data suggest that the PAK DP / MiG-41 project will not be able to do with a simple upgrade of the existing MiG-31 aircraft. A sharp increase in flight performance requires, at a minimum, to seriously rework the existing design or create a completely new one. Whether it will be possible to preserve the appearance of the MiG-31 or whether it is necessary to develop a completely new design has not yet been specified. At the same time, some continuity with the previous project was repeatedly mentioned, although its details were not disclosed.

According to recent reports, the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG is currently actively working on new topic and already got some results. Some details of the project are expected to be announced soon. What exactly is planned to be told has not yet been specified, but it can be expected that the public will be shown appearance of the future aircraft, as well as some design characteristics will be announced. Also, new messages may contain information about the complex of weapons and combat capabilities that can be obtained through its use.

This week, the international military-technical forum "Army-2018" is being held in Kubinka near Moscow. This exhibition has already become a traditional place for demonstrating the latest domestic developments in different areas. It is quite possible that the "premier display" of the MiG-41 interceptor - so far only in the form of advertising materials and a layout - will take place at the next exhibition. However, RAC "MiG" has other interesting projects in reserve, allowing to make a large interesting exposition even without PAK DA.

The replacement of the existing MiG-31 interceptor aircraft is one of the most important tasks for the medium term, and it is necessary to work on its solution now. Fortunately, the Russian aviation industry understands this, and began the necessary research and development work a long time ago. The appearance of a full-fledged PAK DP / MiG-41 aircraft is still attributed only to the middle of the next decade, but given the complexity of the project, this looks justified. And besides, it shows that by the time the life cycle MiG-31 combat aircraft, aircraft manufacturers will be able to offer the VKS a completely new aircraft.

According to the websites:
http://interfax.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://tvzvezda.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://svpressa.ru/

As early as last year, the first reports appeared that Russia was developing a sixth-generation fighter, which should replace the rapidly aging MiG-31. There is practically no data on the new car, however, the information vacuum is gradually filling up, and the outlines of the super-fighter are becoming more and more real.

master of the sky

The MiG-41 is not just a fighter, but an interceptor fighter. It is intended for the most part to destroy enemy bombers and cruise missiles. Interceptors armed guided missiles with infrared and radar guidance heads, rapid-fire guns.

Currently, there are five generations of fighters, each of them has its own set of technical characteristics. The latest generation to date is represented by the American F-35C, the Russian Su-57 (the start of its combat operation is expected this year), as well as Chinese and other analogues.

The MiG-41 is already the sixth generation of fighters, which, accordingly, will have even better technical specifications. It is assumed that the new interceptor will be not just a deep modernization of the old one, but fundamentally new model, which, according to Ilya Tarasenko, CEO of the MiG corporation, will be able to intercept targets both in space and in the Arctic space. The fighter, in addition to missiles, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, will be able to destroy enemy satellites hanging in low orbits.

To replace the MiG-31

The new machine will replace the MiG-31 interceptor, which would have been developed back in the 1970s. "Thirty-first" is capable of speeds up to three thousand kilometers per hour, and its combat radius exceeds 700 kilometers. The figures are impressive, but the MiG-41 seems to be preparing to utterly surpass its predecessor.

The created fighter, according to test pilot Anatoly Kvochur, will be able to move at speeds up to Mach 4.3 - more than five thousand kilometers per hour. Such capabilities will make the new MiG the fastest aircraft on the planet. As for the estimated range of the future fighter, it can reach 1300 kilometers.

Among other things, the new fighter is likely to be armed with hypersonic missile system"Dagger" that was demonstrated Russian public and around the world during Vladimir Putin's address to the Federal Assembly in March of this year.

Invisibility with artificial intelligence

Another feature of the new fighter is the possibility of unmanned control. It is assumed that the development will be carried out both towards the drone and manned aircraft.

State Duma deputy Vladimir Gutenev previously noted that one of the main areas of work on the sixth-generation fighter-interceptor is the introduction of artificial intelligence. And not by separate elements, but by a full-fledged, integrated system. According to the parliamentarian, artificial intelligence will implement combat control machine in conditions of serious electronic warfare.

In addition, the MiG-41 will use stealth technology to reduce the visibility of the vehicle for radar and thereby increase its survivability. With the help of radio-absorbing materials and special geometric shapes, energy and radiation are dissipated, and the rest is absorbed. Thus, the aircraft becomes invisible to enemy tracking equipment.

There are doubts

Western experts, meanwhile, doubt that the new MiG will be able to operate in space. They note that the new MiG should be equally successful in maneuvering both in low atmospheric layers and in near space with its very low air density. Such multitasking is hardly within the power of even the most modern fighter, believes columnist Michael Peck in an article for the American edition of The National Interest.

In addition, Western analysts believe that the MiG-41 may be too expensive for Russia. For example, the cost of the fifth-generation American fighter F-35 reaches $90 million. At the current exchange rate, this is 603 million rubles. It is unlikely that the new sixth generation fighter will be cheaper.

In turn, military expert Vasily Kashin believes that Russia, due to its vast territory, needs a new interceptor, but so far his project looks more like something fantastic. According to him, it is most likely that the new MiG will enter service by 2040.

You can't delay

Meanwhile, Russia is unlikely to have another 20 years to create a new fighter. The service life of the MiG-31 ends exactly in 10 years, in 2028. And by this time, a replacement should be prepared for him.

Just the other day it became known that active work is being carried out on the MiG-41 project, and the results, according to the corporation's general director Ilya Tarasenko, may be presented to the public in the near future. And deliveries to the troops, he assured, will begin in the mid-2020s, that is, exactly by the time the obsolete Thirty-First is decommissioned.