A new agreement to develop a fifth-generation Russian fighter may be imminent
Russian sources suggest that the RSK MiG, Sukhoi and Yakovlev Design Bureaus are on the verge of concluding an agreement to jointly develop an aircraft to meet the requirements of the Russian air forces.
This would replace the planned MFI or multi-function fighter requirement, for which the MiG 1.44 and Sukhoi S-37 were originally designed.
When the requirement was effectively killed off some years ago, these aircraft were completed and flown as technology demonstrators, and may now perform development work in support of a new fighter programme.
Yakovlev's submission to meet the MFI requirement was not short-listed, but Oleg Demchenko, general director of the Yakovlev OKB joint stock company, has pointed out that his firm's unique experience in the design and development of the Yak-38 and Yak-141 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighters could be of pivotal importance.
Interestingly, Demchenko suggested that the Yakovlev Design Bureau could abandon its membership of the team should VTOL or short takeoff and landing not be a part of the air forces' requirement.
Source: Flight Daily News