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Mikoyan LMFS

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Mikoyan
IndustryAerospace, Defense
Founded1939
FounderArtem Mikoyan, Mikhail Gurevich
Headquarters
Moscow
,
Russia
ProductsMilitary aircraft, including conceptual designs such as the LMFS
ParentUnited Aircraft Corporation

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The Mikoyan LMFS (Russian: Микоян ЛМФС), an acronym for Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet meaning Light Multi-Function Frontline Aircraft, also referred to as MiG-XX, was a conceptual Russian single-seat, all-weather stealth aircraft designed for light multirole combat missions. Its design was influenced by Mikoyan’s earlier PAK FA submission—which ultimately lost out to Sukhoi’s entry—and incorporated insights gained from the discontinued Mikoyan Project 1.44. Intended to succeed both the Mikoyan MiG-29 and MiG-35, the LMFS aimed to be a cost-effective counterpart to the PAK FA program, which evolved into the Sukhoi Su-57. By 2021, development on the LMFS had ceased, coinciding with Sukhoi’s introduction of its own medium-weight, single-engine stealth fifth-generation fighter known as the Sukhoi LTS.

Background

Following the Cold War's conclusion and the Soviet Union's dissolution in the 1990s, Russia's funding for the MFI (Russian: МФИ, an abbreviation for Russian: Многофункциональный фронтовой истребитель, romanized: Mnogofunksionalni Frontovoy Istrebitel, lit. 'Multifunctional Frontline Fighter') fifth-generation fighter initiative experienced significant setbacks. This program, initially developed as the Mikoyan Project 1.42/1.44, was ultimately discontinued due to its exorbitant expenses. Subsequently, a new effort aimed at creating a more cost-effective multirole fifth-generation fighter, known as the PAK FA (Russian: ПАК ФА, short for Russian: Перспективный авиационный комплекс фронтовой авиации, romanized: Perspektivnyy Aviatsionnyy Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii, lit. ''prospective aeronautical complex of front-line air forces''), was launched in April 2001 with the goal of replacing the MiG-29 and Su-27. Both Mikoyan and Sukhoi submitted designs, each adopting distinct approaches: Mikoyan proposed the smaller E-721, featuring a normal takeoff weight between 16 and 17 tonnes (35,000–37,000 lb) and powered by two Klimov VK-10M engines delivering 10–11 tonnes (98.1–108 kN, 22,000–24,300 lbf) of thrust each. In contrast, Sukhoi’s T-50 design was larger and more capable, targeting a normal takeoff weight of 22–23 tonnes (49,000–51,000 lb) and utilizing two Lyulka-Saturn AL-41F1 engines generating 14.5 tonnes (142 kN, 32,000 lbf) of thrust each. The Russian Defence Ministry chose Sukhoi’s design in April 2002. Despite this decision, Mikoyan persisted in advancing its concept independently as the LMFS (Russian: ЛМФС, abbreviation for Russian: Легкий многофункциональный фронтовой самолёт, romanized: Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet, lit. 'Light Multifunctional Frontline Aircraft'), funded through its own resources.

Design

The aircraft traces its origins to Mikoyan’s E-721 model. Developed under the United Aircraft Corporation (OAK), this light fighter is believed to be equipped with an upgraded VK-10M engine producing approximately 11 tons of thrust. This engine is derived from the RD-33MK-35 variant powering the MiG-35 and is manufactured at the Klimov facility. It represents a fifth-generation powerplant incorporating cutting-edge advances in turbine and combustion chamber technology while maintaining only minor modifications to the fan blades. The fighter is expected to feature canard wings, internal weapon compartments, an empty weight near 33,000 lbs, and a maximum takeoff weight around 55,000 lbs. There remains a possibility that Mikoyan might alter the design to a single-engine layout by integrating the next-generation izdeliye 30 engines developed for the Sukhoi Su-57, although recent wind tunnel models continue to depict a twin-engine configuration.

Development

The MiG LMFS project was initially financed internally by United Aircraft Corporation, as the Russian Ministry of Defense preferred to delay funding for a smaller stealth fighter until the Sukhoi Su-57 entered serial production.[1] Alexei Fedorov, President of Irkut, emphasized that any decision to incorporate fifth-generation technologies into a lighter fighter like the MiG LMFS would only be made after the heavy fighter Sukhoi Su-57 commenced full-scale production, expected around 2020.[1] Since the MiG LMFS was excluded from Russia's state armament program for 2020–2027, UAC anticipated that revenue from exports of the MiG-35 and MiG-29 would sufficiently support ongoing development efforts.

In 2018, reports emerged suggesting that following the US's refusal to export F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey, Turkish authorities might consider acquiring the Russian Su-57, potentially with technology sharing from Russia. Defense analysts speculated that Turkey could reciprocate by sharing some of its TAI TF-X stealth light fighter technology with MiG, which could accelerate the LMFS development; such foreign investment would provide valuable financial support.[2]

On April 16, 2020, after a prolonged pause, United Aircraft Corporation announced via Twitter that MiG had resumed research on a lightweight fifth-generation stealth fighter. This aircraft is intended to complement the Su-57 in operational roles. By late 2019, MiG had commissioned aerodynamic studies for a light, multi-role twin-engine frontline aircraft comparable to international counterparts, planned for development between 2020 and 2025, with an estimated budget of 4 million rubles.[3] Both MiG’s CEO and Alexander Vatagin, head of engine manufacturer Klimov, indicated that this new fighter’s engines would surpass the power output of those used in the Mikoyan MiG-35.[4]

On December 20, 2020, the leader of the Rostec State Corporation, owner of both Mikoyan and Sukhoi, revealed ongoing efforts to develop a future combat aviation system in light and medium categories.[5] He added that Rostec is independently working on defining the concept and operational requirements for this aircraft without current state budget allocations. This advanced fifth-generation fighter is described as a single-engine design capable of being either piloted or unmanned.[6] This aircraft, later named Sukhoi LTS "Checkmate," was identified as a new platform developed by Sukhoi with collaboration from Mikoyan and was officially presented at the MAKS 2021 Air Show.

By July 2021, it became clear that work on the MiG LMFS had ceased; instead, development focused on a new medium-weight single-engine stealth fifth-generation fighter called the Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate. This platform integrates extensive research from the MiG LMFS project and incorporates numerous technologies derived from the Sukhoi Su-57.[7] The Su-75 Checkmate was unveiled at the MAKS 2021 Air Show.[8]

Specifications (approximate)

Note: As the LMFS remained at the conceptual phase, the majority of its specifications are approximate. Template:Aircraft specs

See also

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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named arms-tass.su
  2. ↑ la russie pourrait rejoindre le programme de chasseur nouvelle generation turque
  3. ↑ В России начались работы над новым легким фронтовым истребителем
  4. ↑ Le constructeur russe MiG RSK planche sur un nouvel avion de combat léger de 5e génération
  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

External links

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