A group of senior MiG designers and managers have resigned from MAPO.
The group includes Andrei Gorlov, chief designer and head of Mikoyan design bureau; Valery Novikov, MiG-29 chief designer and programme manager; his deputy Victor Kochurov, Edward Kostrupsky, MiG-31 chief designer and programme manager and his deputy Andrei Anosovich, as well as other key personalities.
The leavers disagree with the policies of Nickolay Nikitin, appointed as company head earlier this year. Nikitin made his name at arch rival Sukhoi and brought in his own management team. He has made civil aircraft his top priority.
Most of the rebel designers are expected to join Russkaya Avionika, a private company headed by ex-MiG general designer Mikhail Korzhuyev and specialising in upgrading MiG-29, MiG-31 and Su-27 avionics.
Source: Flight International