RAC MiG is pressing ahead with testing of its MiG-35 fighter, and expects the programme to be completed by the end of 2017.
"Flight tests are going well, and the Russian government is satisfied with progress," says Anastasia Kravchenko, publications director of RAC MiG.
Following the completion of flight testing, it is expected that Moscow will sign an order for the type, possibly for 37 examples. Longer term, the MiG-35 is likely to replace Moscow's entire fleet of 258 MiG-29 fighters.
RAC MiG also believes the type has strong export potential. Representatives of 30 countries attended the jet's rollout in February.
While the MiG-35 resembles its Cold War predecessor, Kravchenko stresses that it is a completely new platform.
Improvements include a reduced radar cross section. This is achieved through a new radar absorbent material (RAM) as well as electronic means.
She adds that the aircraft's Klimov RD-33MK engines will be 12% more powerful than those used on the MiG-29. Kret is also developing an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar in tandem with the flight test programme.
The jet did not make it to the Paris show, but Kravchenko says RAC MiG will try to get it to the MAKs air show in Moscow next month.
She adds that the MiG-35 can be viewed as a "generation 4++" fighter, taking advantage of fifth generation technologies.
Looking forward, RAC MiG plans to develop a new long-range interceptor, as well as an unmanned combat air vehicle.
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
