- Yes
- No
Aircraft info:
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The MiG-35 is a 4++ generation multi role fighter made by the RAC as a technology demonstrator built of a 9.15 airframe by converting the previous MiG-29M2 MRCA tender in 2007. When the aircraft was upgraded and renamed MiG-35 it received numerous upgrades to its engines, avionics and electronics including the installation of the Zhuk-AE AESA radar. MiG-35 TD 9.15 differs from the other MiG-35s with it being the only one built of the 9.15 airframe while all other MiG-35s like the two 9.61/9.67 Indian MiG-35 test units and the newest VKS MiG-35s called 9.41SR/9.47SR are built off the 9.41/9.47 MiG-29K airframes. The 9.15 MiG-35 difference from the 9.41/9.47 MiG-35 is that the 9.15 MiG-35 is the only unit with the built in IRST pod and it lacks the larger flaps and enlarged LERX that the 9.61/9.67 and 9.41SR/9.47SR MiG-35 inherited from the 9.41/9.47 MiG-29K.
Aircraft history:
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The MiG-35 TD (technology demonstrator) history starts in 2007 when Russia decided to enter the Indian medium multi role combat aircraft by converting the previous MiG-29M2 demonstrator in to the MiG-35 since an demonstration prototype was needed, it received numerous upgrades to its engines, avionics and electronics including the installation of the Zhuk-AE AESA radar and improved IRST systems including an integrated IRST targeting pod on the underside. The MiG-35 TD would be showed to the public for the first time at the Aero India show in 2007, showcasing what the brand new MiG-35 platform would offer to potential customers. Unlike the 9.61/9.67MiG-35 units that would be used in the tests and evaluation for the MMRCA the 9.15 MiG-35 was only intended to serve as an technology demonstrator and would continue to do so appearing at airshows in to the early 2010s in Russia.
Aircraft specifications:
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Dimensions and size:
- Lenght: 17,2m
- Wing span: 11,36m
- Wing area: 38m²
- Height: 4,7m
Weight:
- Standard take off weight: 17800kg
- Maximum take off weight: 23500kg
Engine output and flight performance:
- Top speed near ground: 1400km/h
- Top speed at altitude: 2100km/h
- Service ceilling: 17500m
- Engines: RD-33MK 2x
- Full afterburner engine output: 9000 kgf 2x (Bench thrust)
- Max dry thrust output: 5600 Kgf 2x (Bench thrust)
Onboard avioncs and other equipment:
- Radar: FGA-29 Zhuk-AE AESA
- RWR: L-150
- IRST: OLS-UE, With additional OLS-K mounted underneath the aircraft
- MAW: I-222 SOAR MAW
- LWS: SOLO LWS system
- Countermeasures: 2x BVP-60-26 CM dispensers mounted inside the dorsal spine although not mounted on this 9.15 was intended to be mounted on all earlier 9.15 variants, explained more below (120x regular caliber CM)
- Helmet system: НСЦИ-КОС HMDS
Additional specifications about onboard equipment:
Zhuk-AE AESA radar:
OLS-UE IRST, OLS-K IRST, SOLO LWS and SOAR MAW:
Video talking about the onboard optical station:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfYwfBPeSMw
RD-33MK Engine:
Countermeasure dispensers:
When looking at images at MiG-35 9.15 blue 154 it appears to be no flare/chaff countermeasures dispensers mounted when looking at the jet itself, normally on a 9.41/61 version MiG-29/35 it would be mounted under the vertical stabilizers next to the engines either with an BVP-16-50 or BVP-32-50 cassettes.
MiG-35 9.15 blue 154 lacking said countermeasures dispensers
And on a 9.15 airframe they are intended to use 2x BVP-60-26 CM dispensers to be mounted inside the dorsal spine on each side totaling 120x CM, according to this drawing from the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum manual book shows their intended placement:
When comparing the drawing from the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum manual book they are still present at the same place at blue 154 since its a 9.15 airframe:
Armament:
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Main armament:
- GSH-30-1
- 9 total hardpoints
Additional equipment that can be mounted:
- 3x drop tanks
Air to air missile:
- 6x R-77/77-1
- 2x R-27R/ER
- 2x R-27T/ET
- 8x R-73/R-74M
Air to ground missile:
- 4x Kh-29TE/TD/L
- 4x Kh-38ML/MT/MA/MK
- 4x Kh-59M2/MK/MK2
- 2x 3M-14AE
Anti ship missile:
- 4x Kh-31A
- 4x Kh-35
- 4x Kh-35U
Anti radiation missile:
- 4x Kh-31P
- 4x Kh-31PD
Guided bombs:
- 4x KAB-250 series of bombs
- 4x KAB-500 series of bombs
- 2x KAB-1500 series of bombs
Unguided rockets:
- 4x B-8M1 rocket pods
- 4x S-24B rockets
Standard bombs:
- FAB-250
- FAB-500
Gallery:
Sources:
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MiG Red Star Fighters 2019, Key publishing
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Russian Air Power, Piotr Butowski
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Famous Russian Aircraft: Mikoyan MiG-29 & MiG-35 2019 by Yefim Gordon
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https://www.key.aero/article/fulcrum-story-russian-classic-part-two
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https://www.keymilitary.com/article/2-part-filcrum-through-decades
