Mikoyan PAK DP
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1939 |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Russia |
| Parent | Rostec Corporation |
Overview
PAK DP (Russian: ПАК ДП, an abbreviation for Russian: Перспективный авиационный комплекс дальнего перехвата, romanized: Perspektivny aviatsionny kompleks dal'nego perekhvata, meaning Prospective Aviation Complex for Long-Range Interception) represents a Russian initiative aimed at creating a stealth interceptor aircraft or heavy fighter. This project is currently underway by the manufacturer Mikoyan and is intended to serve as the successor to the Mikoyan MiG-31 within the Russian Aerospace Forces by the mid-2030s.
Commonly identified as the Mikoyan MiG-41—derived from its project designation izdeliye 41 (product 41)—the aircraft has yet to receive an official name, as Russian military aircraft are typically assigned formal designations only when nearing operational deployment. According to defence expert Vasily Kashin, this platform is envisaged as a sixth-generation fighter concept.
Development
Initially, it was reported that the advancement of the supersonic PAK DP MiG-41 interceptor was based on earlier initiatives such as the MiG-701 (Izdeliye 7.01) and the Mikoyan MiG-31 programs which commenced during the 1990s.
By July 2016, there was no official information regarding the aircraft's specific characteristics. Speculation suggested that its deployment might occur sometime between the mid-2020s and 2030s. The interceptor’s key role was believed to be countering future reconnaissance platforms under development by the United States and China. Achieving the required high velocities would likely necessitate the integration of ramjet or turboramjet propulsion systems.
The conceptual design for the PAK DP was completed by late 2019, coinciding with the conclusion of related research efforts. In 2020, within this research framework, the Russian Ministry of Defense selected the most promising design concept. Current work continues through research and development phases, including testing with wind tunnel models. In an interview conducted in July 2020, Ilya Tarasenko, general director of MiG corporation and head of Sukhoi, confirmed that the PAK DP will be developed based on the MiG-31 platform.
According to Izvestia, the PAK DP is planned to serve as an interceptor capable of engaging hypersonic missiles by deploying a multifunctional long-range missile system (MPKR DP). This system is designed to release multiple sub-missiles, thereby enhancing interception probability against hypersonic threats. Additionally, the aircraft is expected to be equipped with anti-satellite missiles.
In January 2021, Rostec Corporation, which owns Mikoyan, announced that the PAK DP had officially entered its development stage.
Design
During an interview with RT, Ilya Tarasenko, the Director General of RSK MiG, suggested that the aircraft would be a newly developed model capable of reaching speeds between Mach number 4 and 4.3. He mentioned it would feature an anti-missile laser system and possess the capability to operate at extremely high altitudes, potentially extending into near space. Tarasenko also indicated the possibility of converting the platform into an unmanned variant in the future. Should the Russian Aerospace Forces decide to procure it, he projected that the initial production unit of the PAK DP would be finalized by 2025.
The aircraft is expected to maintain cruising speeds of no less than Mach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph), while operating at altitudes ranging from just above 12,000 meters up to below 45,000 meters, effectively between the tropopause and stratopause layers. It is anticipated to be powered by a version of the Izdeliye 30 engines, which are currently being developed for use in the Su-57. Additionally, stealth technology will reportedly be integrated into the PAK DP design.
Consideration is also being given to producing an unmanned configuration of this interceptor aircraft.
See also
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