The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russian: ÃœøúþÑÂý ÃœøÓ-35, NATO reporting name Fulcrum-F) is a mature development of the MiG-M/M2 and MiG-K/KUB technology. It was created to participate in Indian MRCA Competition, and is the third modification on the existing MIG-M2 airframe which previously served as MiG-M2 model demonstrator. NATO's reporting name for the MiG-35 is Fulcrum F. Unlike the F/A-18 or MiG-29, the MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent. Drop tanks and a mid-air refueling system allow it to fly long-range combat missions.
The MiG-35 was officially debuted when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG".[1] Its vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new uniquely designed Optical Locator System (OLS), relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-controlled interception (GCI) systems and enables it to conduct independent multi-role missions.
The aircraft is being marketed under the designation MiG-35 (single seat) and MiG-35D (dual-seat) for export. MiG Corporation had their first official international MiG-35 presentation during Aero India 2007.
Design features
The most important changes are the Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the RD-33MK engines and the newly designed Optical Locator System (OLS). Other obvious changes in the cockpit are the reduction in analog electronics.
Power plant
The RD-33MK "Morskaya Osa" (Russian: ÃœþрÑÂúðѠÞÑÂð: "Sea Wasp") was installed by the new modification. It is the latest version of the RD-33 and was intended to power the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB. It has 7% more power compared to the baseline model due to the use of modern materials in the cooled blades, providing a higher thrust of 9,000 kgf. In response to earlier criticism the new engines are smokeless and embody systems that reduce infrared and optical visibility. The engines were widely misreported to have vectored-thrust nozzles. However they could be equipped with thrust vectoring nozzles, which would result an increase in combat efficiency by 12 to 15%.
Cockpit
Analog electronics are minimized, being replaced by 3 equal-size colour liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and an additional display for the OLS (the MiG-35D rear cockpit has four LCDs).
Sensors
New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an optical complex consisting of the newly designed OLS under the right air intake, to replace previous IRST sensor, and a pair of laser emission detectors on each wing tip.
The new airborne AESA radar offers a wider range of operating frequencies, providing more resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), more detection range, more air and ground targets detected and tracked simultaneously and able to be engaged.
The OLS, a new development from space technologies, incorporates a helmet-mounted target designation system providing targeting solutions for both ground and air targets in the forward and aft hemispheres of the aircraft. The most vital different from the previous IRST sensor is that the new device provides not only a better operation range but also offers manually switchable display options of IR view, TV mode or a mix of both to significantly improved man-machine coordination.
Summary statistic of the OLS
MiG-35 OLSIn air combat, the electronics suite allows:
Detection of non-afterburning targets at 45 km range and more;
Identification of those targets at 8 to 10 km range; and
Estimates of aerial target range at up to 15 km.
For ground targets, the suite allows:
A tank-effective detection range up to 15 km, and aircraft carrier detection at 60 to 80 km;
Identification of the tank type on the 8 to 10 km range, and of an aircraft carrier at 40 to 60 km; and
Estimates of ground target range of up to 20 km.
The defensive system equipment consists of radar reconnaissance, electronic countermeasures and optical systems  notably the laser emission detector on each wingtip  are able to detect and evaluate the approaching danger and operate decoy dispensers to counteract the approaching threat in the radar and infrared ranges.
Other
The aircraft is designed to be compatible with foreign avionics and weapon systems.
General characteristics
Crew: One or Two
Length: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
Empty weight: 15,000 kg (33,069 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 22,700 kg (50,076 lb)
Powerplant: 2Ã Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans, 8,900 kgf (19,620 lbf) each
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 (2,448 km/h, 1,521 mph at altitude)
Range: 4,023 km, 2,500 mi (with external tanks 6000 km, 3728 mi)
Service ceiling: 18,900 m (62,000 ft)
Rate of climb: Approx. 300 m/s (60,000 ft/min)
Armament
1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
Avionics
Phazotron Zhuk AE radar
NII PP Optical Locator System
