Mikoyan MiG-AT

Mikoyan Design Bureau

Industry	Aerospace, Defense
Founded	1939
Founder	Artem Mikoyan, Mikhail Gurevich
Headquarters	Moscow , Russia
Products	Military aircraft, including MiG-AT trainer and light attack aircraft

The Mikoyan MiG-AT (Russian: МиГ-АТ) is a Russian-designed advanced training and light attack aircraft developed to succeed the Aero L-29 and L-39 models used by the Russian Air Force. Created by the Mikoyan Design Bureau and manufactured by the Moscow Aircraft Production Association, the MiG-AT completed its inaugural flight in March 1996. It represents the first collaborative military aircraft development project between Russia and France, marking a significant milestone as the initial Western-Russian joint venture to achieve flight. Despite these achievements, the MiG-AT was ultimately outperformed by the Yakovlev Yak-130 in the 2002 government procurement competition. Attempts to sell the aircraft internationally, including to India, Greece, and various Commonwealth of Independent States nations, did not result in orders.

Design and development

The initiative to develop the MiG-AT originated from Soviet efforts to replace its aging fleet of Aero L-29 and L-39 trainers. Competing against designs from the design bureaus of Sukhoi, Myasishchev, and Yakovlev, only Mikoyan's MiG-AT and Yakovlev's Yak-130 remained contenders following the elimination of the others in 1992. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to reduced defense budgets, prompting Mikoyan to collaborate with French companies such as Snecma/Turbomeca for engine supply and Sextant Avionique (later part of Thales Avionics) for avionics systems.

After finalizing the design in early 1994, manufacturing of the initial prototype began at the Moscow Aircraft Production Association (MAPO). The two entities merged in 1995 to become MAPO-MiG and financed prototype construction independently. The first MiG-AT (serial number 81 White) was unveiled in May 1995 before being relocated to Zhukovsky, where it performed a brief initial taxi flight in early March 1996. Its official maiden flight occurred on 21 March 1996, piloted by Roman Taskayev, lasting approximately 45 minutes with escort from a MiG-29UB and an L-39 serving as chase aircraft. During this flight, the plane attained an altitude of about 4,000 ft (1,200 m) and reached speeds near 400 km/h (250 mph). The second prototype joined testing activities by October 1997, by which time over 200 flights had been logged on the first unit. Initially, Mikoyan planned a test program involving three flying prototypes plus one static airframe, alongside production of roughly fifteen additional units aimed at international marketing efforts with Snecma.

In contrast to its competitor, the Yak-130, the MiG-AT features a more traditional design with low-mounted straight wings, twin engines positioned on either side of the fuselage, and a mid-level tailplane. Early avionics combined technology developed jointly by Sextant Avionique and Russia's GosNIIAS, incorporating multi-function liquid crystal displays, a head-up display, and navigation systems that partly utilized commercial components to accelerate development timelines. Integrated with a fly-by-wire flight control system, these avionics enabled simulation of handling characteristics akin to third- and fourth-generation jet fighters. The second prototype introduced Russian-made avionics along with weapon hardpoints.

File:MiG-AT at MAKS-2007 airshow.jpg

MiG-AT displayed at MAKS-2007 airshow

Propulsion is provided by two Snecma-Turbomeca Larzac 04R20 turbofan engines rated at approximately 3,175 lbf (14.12 kN), originally developed during the 1970s for use on the Alpha Jet. A 1995 agreement between French and Russian authorities granted Russia rights to domestically produce and develop a higher-thrust variant of this engine. In November 1996, a contract was signed for ten Larzac engines intended for pre-production models; however, these plans did not materialize. Concurrently, Russia's Soyuz Design Bureau pursued an indigenous alternative named RD-1700 with a takeoff thrust rating near 3,750 lbf (16.7 kN). Both prototypes later functioned as test platforms for this engine as well as for NPO Saturn's AL-55I turbofan.

As development progressed, operational feedback from air force users combined with influence from foreign partners led to expanding original trainer-only requirements to include light combat capabilities. In mid-March 2002, Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov announced selection of the Yak-130 over the MiG-AT as Russia’s new trainer aircraft; however, subsequent media reports suggested both designs had been approved for procurement. Ultimately on 10 April 2002, official confirmation favored the Yak-130 due to its dual role capability as both trainer and combat jet. Mikoyan contested this outcome citing concerns over increased combat load demands exceeding physical limits of their design. By that point, both prototypes had completed approximately 750 flights.

Part of Mikoyan’s initial agreement with French partners involved their assistance in marketing the MiG-AT internationally beyond CIS countries. This collaboration aimed to enhance project credibility while leveraging Snecma’s global sales network. Target export markets included traditional Russian customers such as India and Malaysia; demonstrations were conducted for officials from Algeria, Greece, India, and United Arab Emirates among others. Despite losing out domestically in 2002, Mikoyan continued negotiations abroad alongside ongoing flight testing. By February 2004, the design achieved Russian military certification with expectations that Algeria might place initial orders.

In June 2018, Sergei Korotkov—vice president of United Aircraft Corporation—revealed that Russia’s Defence Ministry was contemplating reviving the MiG-AT program for primary pilot base training roles. Additionally, Viktor Bondarev indicated that if approved, introduction into service could occur around 2023.

In December 2023, UAC announced plans for a new pilot training complex centered around a new single-engine aircraft designated MiG-UTS—considered a spiritual successor to the MiG-AT model.

Variants

• MiG-AT – a two-seat variant designed primarily for basic military pilot training.
• MiG-AC – a proposed single-seat combat model featuring a shortened fuselage.
• MiG-ATC – an intended trainer and light combat version of the standard MiG-AT, equipped with a helmet-mounted target designation system for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Specifications (MiG-AT)

File:MiG-AT.png

External links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20031002061449/http://aviation.ru/MiG/#AT
• MiG-AT - Photo gallery on Pravda.Ru