Special attention is paid to projects of fifth generation fighters in Russia. So, the development of the MiG-41 project is currently underway - a fighter-interceptor, which is intended to replace the MiG-31, in service since 1981 of the year.
Ultra-modern aircraft based on the Soviet MiG-25 and MiG-31
PAK DP program (promising long-range intercept aviation complex ") sold by the aircraft building company "MiG". Its task is to create such an interceptor aircraft., which would be able to reliably protect the air borders of Russia in any conditions, including arctic latitudes and even near space.
Naturally, that the very fact that Russia has a program to create such an aircraft is an alarming factor for a potential enemy. American experts from Military Watch magazine, for example, consider, that the MiG-41 will combine the latest technologies with the advantages of the Soviet MiG-25 and MiG-31 interceptor aircraft that remain relevant.
So, from the MiG-25 MiG-41 will inherit the ability to operate at maximum speeds. If the MiG-25 could fly at speeds over 3 Makhov, to MiG-41, according to the representatives of JSC "RSK MiG", will fly at speed 4-4,3 Maha.
Another advantage, which the MiG-25 possesses - the ability to climb to heights of about 30 kilometers, which makes the plane inaccessible to most anti-aircraft missile systems. The MiG-41 will also retain the ability to fly at ultra-high altitude. The developers are going to give it characteristics, allowing to operate even in near space.
Distinctive characteristics of the MiG-31, not distinguished by such speeds and flight altitudes as the MiG-25, are powerful weapons and equally powerful sensors. As a result, the MiG-31 calmly hit not only enemy aircraft, but also cruise missiles.
MiG-41 against satellites
MiG-41, given the progress of technology, should get even more powerful sensors and ammunition. So, the latest fighters will receive ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles with multiple warheads. We can also talk about arming the MiG-41 with a promising aircraft missile K-77M "Viper".
Beyond aircraft and cruise missiles, MiG-41 will be able to destroy even the satellites of a potential enemy, in near space. A distinctive feature of the MiG-41 will be less, compared to its predecessors, conspicuousness.
In this way, the unambiguous advantages of the MiG-41 include supersonic speed, extra-high flight altitude, invisibility, sensor sensitivity, modern weapons, including ultra-long-range missiles. Besides, known, that in addition to the manned version of the MiG-41, the possibility of developing its unmanned modification is also being discussed, which will eliminate the risks of death of pilots during the execution of a combat mission.
If we talk about the estimated timing of the project, then this will not happen earlier than the mid-2020s., but most likely - in the second half of the decade. The main condition for further success in the implementation of the project will be the absence of problems with financing., which often became the main "headache" in the implementation of the most interesting ideas of domestic aircraft designers.
Ilya Polonsky
