Are you talking about the MiG-41 fifth-gen interceptor that Mikoyan is now working on?
Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
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Are you talking about the MiG-41 fifth-gen interceptor that Mikoyan is now working on?
I don't find a thing on that Tyloe except some sketchy drawings ?
Jane's also claimed back in 2012 that China was developing a top secret VTOL aircraft called the J-18. I usually put as much credibility into Jane's China reporting as I do Fenqing posts from Tiexue.net (not much, for the uninitiated).
You know how I found this forum? By simply wanting to learn more about Shenyang's and Chengdu's fifth-gen aircraft and having to go through a lot, I mean a lot, of western media bull that was never inclined to properly analyse the programs to begin with. For what at first, seemed to be a simple google search quickly turned into a long dig for a reliable and unbiased source about the J-31 and J-20, using the idiom 'like finding a needle in a haystack' here is no joke. Fear-mongering and narcissism is contagious but what brings the media corporations in the money.
Alexander Tarnaev, a Russian state official said that the aircraft is needed to replace Russia's growing old fleet of MiG-31s and 25s, (One source said between 2020-2030) but it could also be a speculative rumour.
Test pilot, Anatoliy Kvochur, also stated about the existence of the 'MiG-41' this same year. (article in Russian)
For now it seems to be a relatively recent rumour but it might be what's he's implying as a J-31 competitor.
Not trying to play down the Russians but I seriously doubt they have the money to do it.
They're already having problem funding the PAKFA programme that they need to bring in the Indians for a "joint-venture" a.k.a "use Indian money to fund the programme".
Now that Russia is having such a bad time in terms of politics and economy, I really doubt they can continue this programme. Russians talk big a lot, but only a mere fraction of the talks materialise.
Not saying that they don't have the technological know-how,but they simply aren't that rich.
janjak desalin
Junior Member
No! As you mention in your post, below, the MiG-41is envisioned as a replacement for the mig-25/31 large interceptor. The Mig Scat, I'm thinkin' you're aware, is a UCAV. Unlike the Mig-41, the Scat has progressed to the prototype stage, at least. My speculation is that the Scat will form the basis of Mig's contributions to a 6th generation platform.
The whole basis of my question regarding possible Russian interest in the J-31 is based on my (possibly erroneous) understanding that Russia has no 5th generation medium fighter in the works as of now and that the only current Mig program is the Mig-35. As we've observed, so far, that 5th generation technology progresses from the initial flight to operation stage in ~ a decade, it would seem that Russia might be even farther behind in the 5th generation hi-lo mix game, if they intend to play, that is.
janjak desalin
Junior Member
You mean as they did the T-10/Su-27 platform?
Russia is pulling most of its resources in a single fifth-gen aircraft project thanks to its smaller budget. At present Sukhoi doesn't seem to have plans on another fifth-gen aircraft other than small talks of 'navalising' the Pakfa in the very long term. Su-35 and MiG-35 as advanced 4.5 gen interim fighters will likely have a long service life to cover the spots of their possible second fifth gen aircraft for a long time. If they want to keep up, Russia may not make another fifth-gen aircraft and start their sixth-gen aircraft after focusing on a full introduction of PAK-FAs in their Air Force, simultaneously operated with their 4.5 gen aircraft. 2020s will be a busy decade for all countries producing fifth gen aircraft.
If Russia is hoping to make a second fifth gen aircraft during that time whether it's a 'MiG 41', and has the time and funding, it will very likely be picked up by Mikoyan for their experience and availability to fulfil the job. I'm also not sure about the successor of the MiG Scat it'll give Mikoyan experience for other other projects such as a sixth gen aircraft if they've giving that priority like Boeing. Otherwise PAK-FA stays to be their current cornerstone thanks to constraints stated by xiabonan.
If Russia is hoping to make a second fifth gen aircraft during that time whether it's a 'MiG 41', and has the time and funding, it will very likely be picked up by Mikoyan for their experience and availability to fulfil the job. I'm also not sure about the successor of the MiG Scat it'll give Mikoyan experience for other other projects such as a sixth gen aircraft if they've giving that priority like Boeing. Otherwise PAK-FA stays to be their current cornerstone thanks to constraints stated by xiabonan.
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