Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
Despite parlous finances, the Russian air force is renewing its efforts to procure a fifth generation fighter. Air force test pilots are evaluating the Sukhoi S-37 and funding is being provided for the MIGMAPO 1.42 prototype.
Lt Gen Yuriy Klishin, deputy commander in chief for acquisition, says that finance will be made available to allow MIG MAPO to complete the 1.42 and begin a flight test programme later this year. The aircraft would be used as a technology demonstrator. In an interview with a Russian military journal, Klishin adds that the air force is to take part in flight evaluation of the forward swept wing S-37, despite an earlier declaration of indifference to the tests.
Immediate procurement priorities for the air force include the Antonov An-70 military transport to bolster its transport capability. It also wants to upgrade some early model MiG-29 Fulcrums to fill the gap in tactical fighter capability left by the withdrawal of the MiG-27 Flogger and Su-22 Fitter.
An upgrade package to the Fulcrum A would probably draw on work originally done for the MiG-29SM and MiG-29SMT developments. These upgrades provide the Fulcrum with the ability to use the Vympel Kh-29 (AS-14 Kedge) air to surface television-guided missile.
Source: Flight International
