Military

Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet (LMFS)
[Light Multi-Function Frontal Aircraft]
Light Multi-Role Tactical Aircraft

Russia will soon start developing a prototype of an advanced lightweight fighter jet to supplement fifth-generation T-50 aircraft, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said 11 December 2013. The new aircraft is expected to be cheaper to produce and easier to maintain, but should also possess combat capabilities and performance characteristics comparable with those of heavy-class aircraft. “The development of a light-class fighter has been included in the current arms procurement program. It will be created,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, addressing the lower house of parliament.

Rogozin, who oversaw the defense and space industries, said light-class fighters were in greater demand abroad, compared to more advanced heavy-class aircraft, such as Su-30 or the planned T-50 fighter jets. Russia was developing the heavy-class T-50 multirole fighter aircraft, also known as PAK-FA, which will be the core of the country’s future fighter fleet. Rogozin, who first voiced the idea of developing a second type of a fifth-generation fighter in February 2012, said that Russia has always had at least two types of tactical fighters that in general supplemented one another. The latest example is a MiG-29/Su-27 pair. Rogozin did not specify which of Russia’s two main designers of combat jets – MiG or Sukhoi – will be assigned the development of the future light-class fighter.

According to Jane's, as of 2014 the Russian manufacturer of combat aircraft RAC "MiG", apparently without making too much noise, was developing the concept of a prospective light fighter - a single-engine cheap analog of the T-50 / PAK FA / Su-57. At the presentation of the multifunctional MiG-35 fighter in February 17, 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that MiG would be engaged in the creation of a fifth-generation lightweight fighter. Rogozin said literally the following: “Development of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the fifth generation fighter PAK FA is undergoing state tests. The MiG Corporation will also make a fifth generation lightweight fighter.”

The development of the multi-purpose stealth fighter LMFS began at MiG in 2015. It will belong to the fifth generation and perform the functions of “MiG-29” and “MiG-35”. When creating the aircraft, a technological reserve was used according to the Soviet MiG-1.44, which was far ahead of its time.

“MiG-LMFS” is performed in the “duck” layout - with horizontal plumage in front. It will be located just above the wing and equalize the air flow in front of it. The aircraft should have a triangular wing and a V-tail. With a takeoff weight of about 15 tons, he will be able to take up to 5 tons of combat load. For example, promising medium-range missiles"K-77M. Also on board will be installed air gun "GSH-301" 30 mm caliber. The fighter is planned to be equipped with two VK-10M turbojet units with a total thrust of 20 tons. In the future, one engine can be used."Product-30" with afterburner 18 tons. This engine was developed under the Su-57 and is currently undergoing flight tests.

MiG-LMFS will be able to fly up to 4,000 kilometers at a speed of 2500 km / h. All combat load will be placed inside the aircraft, which will positively affect its stealth. In addition, the aircraft will be equipped with a vertical stabilizer under the fuselage, which will increase the "stability" of the machine in the air. Four billion rubles have already been allocated for preliminary work on the project. The new aircraft will compete with the American F-35 and the Chinese J-20.

The development of the multi-purpose stealth fighter LMFS (Liogkiy Mnogofunktsionalniy Frontovoi Samolyet) Light Multi-Function Frontal Aircraft, began at MiG in 2015. It will belong to the fifth generation and perform the functions of “MiG-29” and “MiG-35”. When creating the aircraft, a technological reserve was used according to the Soviet MiG-1.44, which was far ahead of its time.

“MiG-LMFS” has the “duck” layout - with horizontal plumage in front. It will be located just above the wing and equalize the air flow in front of it. The aircraft should have a triangular wing and a V-tail. With a takeoff weight of about 15 tons, he will be able to take up to 5 tons of combat load. For example, promising medium-range missiles"K-77M . " Also on board will be installed air gun "GSH-301" 30 mm caliber. The fighter is planned to be equipped with two VK-10M turbojet units with a total thrust of 20 tons. In the future, one engine can be used."Product-30" with afterburner 18 tons. This engine was developed under the Su-57 and is currently undergoing flight tests.

MiG-LMFS will be able to overcome up to 4 thousand kilometers at a speed of 2500 km / h. All combat load will be placed inside the aircraft, which will positively affect its stealth. In addition, the aircraft will be equipped with a vertical stabilizer under the fuselage, which will increase the "stability" of the machine in the air. Four billion rubles have already been allocated for preliminary work on the project. The new aircraft will compete with the American F-35 and the Chinese J-20.

In February 2017, the French magazine Air & Cosmos published projections of a promising light multifunctional front-line aircraft (LMFS) , the development of which is allegedly led by RAC MiG JSC. Judging by the image, the aircraft would have an aerodynamic "duck" scheme. The text indicates the maximum take-off weight of 25 tons and a speed of 1.8 - 2 Mach, flight range up to 4000 km. The engine is VK-10M developed by the Klimov design bureau with a load of about 10 tons each. Recall that the MiG-35 has a maximum take-off weight of 29.7 tons, a maximum speed of 2,700 km/h at altitude and a range without refueling of about 3,500 km.