MiG-41. So far, almost nothing is known about this machine - neither about its characteristics, nor even about the features of the external appearance of this aircraft. It is only known that this is the MiG-41 - a project of a heavy fighter-interceptor, which will replace the MiG-31 in the future. This promising machine is called the most closed project of the Russian defense industry. On the virtual expanses of the Internet, discussions around the new Russian aircraft have not subsided for many years.

At the beginning of this year, the vice-president of the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, Sergei Korotkov, told reporters that work on the creation of a new MiG-41 fighter continues. According to him, this will be a new generation aircraft that will replace the MiG-31 high-altitude fighter-interceptor developed in the mid-1970s. Korotkov also said that not only the designers of the OKB im. Mikoyan, but also representatives of other enterprises of the domestic defense industry.

Development is carried out in accordance with the task, which was formulated by the Russian Ministry of Defense. This means that there is no question of any work on an initiative basis (and this was often the case in the past). The military really needs a new aircraft to replace the well-deserved MiG-31. No additional information, which at least slightly opened the veil of secrecy over a promising fighter, the official did not tell reporters.

Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Viktor Bondarev spoke about the MiG-41 project. He stated that the development of a new fighter-interceptor is actively underway and is at the stage of research and development (R&D), and in 2019 R & D (experimental design work) began. The colonel-general told reporters that the adoption of the aircraft into service is planned for 2025.

Even earlier, in 2014, the well-known Russian test pilot Anatoly Kvochur spoke about the project of a new heavy fighter-interceptor. According to the pilot, the new aircraft was supposed to appear twenty years ago, and its speed was to reach Mach 4.3.

To imagine the concept and idea of ​​the machine being developed, it is not at all necessary to have access to closed laboratories or secret documents of the Ministry of Defense. You just need to understand what tasks the new fighter will perform, and what work it is intended for. And you should also carefully look at the developments of past years, at the famous MiG-31 interceptor fighter - the first fourth-generation Soviet aircraft that took to the skies back in 1975.

MiG-31: special purpose aircraft

Work on the creation of a new high-speed long-range fighter-interceptor began in the Soviet Union in the late 60s. This machine first took to the skies in September 1975. The MiG-31 can be safely and without irony called a unique aircraft: it was able to reach speeds of up to 3 thousand km / h, and its combat radius was 720 km. This fighter was the first aircraft in the world to be equipped with a phased array radar. The MiG-31 was armed with the latest long-range air-to-air missiles for its time.

The MiG-31 was a highly specialized aircraft, it was originally designed to intercept strategic bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, cruise missiles and even enemy satellites in low orbits.

It is curious that the flying units armed with MiG-31 aircraft had the status of special forces units (special forces) as part of the USSR Air Force.

In the 90s, the designers of the OKB im. Mikoyan worked on the creation of a new heavy interceptor, which was supposed to replace the MiG-31. We are talking about the so-called project 701, within the framework of which it was planned to create a 62-ton giant with a maximum speed of 2.5 thousand km / h and a flight range of more than 7 thousand km. Due to the difficult economic situation in the country, this project was never implemented. Also, the projects for the deep modernization of the “thirty-first”, which were launched back in the Soviet period, ended ingloriously.

In 2008, the MiG-31 modernization program began. Almost all electronics are being replaced on fighters, they receive a new R-37 missile, which can hit the enemy at a distance of 400 km, as well as a modern Zaslon-M radar.

Today, the MiG-31 is perhaps the only domestic combat aircraft in relation to which the phrase "unparalleled in the world" is not an exaggeration. One of the main features of this car is its high cruising speed, which is more than 2.5 thousand km / h.

Despite its unique flight performance, we can safely say that such a machine is simply not needed by the vast majority of the armies of the world. The MiG-31 is a highly specialized heavy high-speed interceptor aircraft, which was created to protect the vast expanses of the Soviet Union. Its main task is to destroy low-maneuverable targets such as cruise missiles or strategic bombers. For air combat with nimble enemy fighters, the MiG-31 is poorly suited. The maximum overload of the main armament of the fighter - R-33 air-to-air missiles - is only 4G, which does not allow to reliably hit highly maneuverable fighters.

In the air forces of other countries, the functions of the MiG-31 are performed by conventional fourth or fifth generation fighters or air defense systems.

Video about MIG-41

But for Russia, with its gigantic expanses and huge length of borders, the use of such an aircraft is a pretty good solution. Therefore, the project of a new aircraft, which should replace the obsolete MiG-31, seems absolutely appropriate. What will the new car look like? What characteristics should it have in order to confidently solve the problem of protecting Russian air cordons in the next decade?

It should be recalled here that the service life of the MiG-31 fighters ends in 2028, and by this time a replacement for them should be ready.

What will the MiG-41 look like?

It has been repeatedly stated that the new fighter-interceptor will be developed on the basis of the MiG-31. However, it is hardly worth taking this information literally: rather, the MiG-41 will be created using the developments gained during the creation of its predecessor, as well as thirty years of experience in its use. Since the first flight of the MiG-31, technological progress in the aircraft industry has made a huge leap, so it is unlikely that the new fighter will be similar to the MiG-31.

If the speed of the new machine approaches Mach 4, then the MiG-41 could become the fastest combat aircraft in the world. With a high degree of probability, we can say that in the design and construction of a new fighter, technologies will be actively used to reduce its radar visibility. Currently, "stealth technologies" are a global trend that everyone is trying to follow. It is likely that the MiG-41 weapons will be hidden inside the fuselage of the aircraft. The estimated range of the MiG-41 is likely to be from 700 to 1300 km.

The new fighter will definitely be armed with the R-37 long-range air-to-air missile. In addition, it is reported that a new RVV-BD rocket with a dual-mode solid-propellant engine is currently being developed on its basis. So we can confidently say that if the MiG-41 is embodied in metal, then it will receive the RVV-BD as part of its weapons.

It should be understood that speaking about the moment of the possible adoption of the MiG-41 fighter, we mean, most likely, the end of the next decade. It is clear that by this time aviation technologies and aircraft weapon systems will make a significant breakthrough, and some changes may be revolutionary. Experts believe that today we are on the threshold of the birth of a new generation of aviation missiles. Laser weapons are rapidly developing, the Americans are working most actively in this direction. Ten years in the modern world is a huge period, during which time completely new technologies can appear that we don’t even know about today.

One of the main threats for Russia in the foreseeable future may be combat hypersonic aircraft, which are currently being actively developed in the United States. An example is the design of the Boeing X-51 hypersonic missile, the speed of which can reach 6,000 km/h. Such weapons systems are capable of carrying a strategic threat, and for this it is not necessary to install a nuclear warhead on them. Hypersonic missiles can hit enemy targets due to their huge kinetic energy. The colossal flight speed makes the interception of such targets a very difficult task.

Video: MIG-41 project review

The fight against hypersonic aircraft is likely to be one of the tasks that the MiG-41 will perform. In addition, this aircraft must be able to deal with traditional threats, in the form of enemy cruise missiles and bombers. It is also planned that small satellites will be launched into low orbits from this aircraft.

Another issue that the designers will have to solve during the implementation of the MiG-41 project is the “pilotability” of this aircraft. In other words, whether this fighter will be controlled by a pilot or will it become an unmanned aerial vehicle. Given the overload that a person experiences at such speeds, the second option looks much more preferable. The problem, however, is that the domestic industry - since Soviet times - has been lagging behind in the field of creating UAVs. While Russia fails to create even a modern strike drone, making a remote-controlled interceptor is a much more difficult task.

Will the MiG-41 be built?

The answer to this question mainly depends on one factor - funding. The development of a new combat aircraft is very expensive.

Of course, the global trend in recent decades is the rejection of highly specialized machines and the development of universal combat aircraft. But, as mentioned above, a heavy high-speed interceptor perfectly matches the geographical conditions of Russia and may be an exception to the general rule.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

General Designer, Vice President for Innovations of the United Aircraft Corporation (USC) Sergey Korotkov announced that the corporation is working on the creation of a new generation interceptor MiG-41, which should replace the MiG-31. Moreover, the aircraft is being developed not only by the designers of the RAC "MiG", but also by specialists from other companies that are part of the RAC.

According to Korotkov, who previously held the post of General Director and General Designer of RAC MiG, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is interested in obtaining a new interceptor. That is, these works are not of an initiative nature. Due to the closed nature of the topic, he did not talk about the characteristics of future high-altitude fighters and their weapons.

It is quite clear that the MiG-41 should be superior in parameters to the MiG-31. And it will be a very powerful weapon, since the MiG-31, put into service in 1981, is still the fastest (3,000 km/h) and the highest (20,000 m) in the world.

This aircraft was ahead of its time. Until 2000, it was the only fighter aircraft in the world with a phased array radar. It, like the American F-14 interceptor, is armed with long-range air-to-air missiles. But the “American” has been “on a well-deserved rest” for 11 years.

And the "Russian" continues not only to serve, but also to set world records.

The MiG-31 was a response to the threats that appeared in the second half of the 60s. The old Soviet Tu-128 interceptor was ineffective against the American FB-111 strategic bomber with nuclear-tipped missiles, capable of low-altitude flight at supersonic speed and avoiding terrain. Things got even worse when trying to intercept the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft commissioned by the CIA, which was called the Blackbird. The Drozd developed a phenomenal speed of Mach 3.2 and had a service ceiling of 26,000 m. The Tu-128 had half the speed and a ceiling that was 10,000 m lower.

True, the MiG-25 began to be introduced into the troops, which, in terms of speed and altitude, did not significantly lose to the Blackbird. But the SR-71 used more advanced fourth-generation avionics. And the MiG-25 belonged to the 3++ generation. Therefore, it was not easy for MiG to deal with him. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Drozd was the first aircraft to be built using stealth technologies, which made it difficult for the Soviet interceptor to see it in the sky.

During the development of the MiG-31, the first Soviet aircraft of the fourth generation, significant efforts were directed to the creation of an effective phased array radar. To test the interceptor with full instrumentation, it was necessary to re-equip the test site in Akhtubinsk. For the first time in the history of domestic aviation, tests were carried out with the separation of the interceptor and the target by more than 200 km. It was at this distance that the Zaslon radar detected the FB-111 bomber. The fighter was spotted at a distance of 170 km. The R-33 missiles specially designed for the MiG-31 had a slightly shorter launch range - 160 km.

The use of a fundamentally new airborne radar made it possible to increase the number of detected targets up to 24 and up to 4 tracked ones. Thus, the detection, tracking and missile attack range of the new interceptor has increased significantly. To search for targets in the passive mode, that is, without turning on the radar, the 8TK thermal direction finder is used. It detects the aircraft by radiation from a running engine at a distance of 56 km.

In addition to long range missiles, the MiG-31 uses medium and short range missiles. The aircraft is also armed with a six-barreled 23 mm cannon.

Until 2006, when the F-14 was decommissioned, the designers of the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau participated in absentia in a dispute with the designers of the Grumman company, who brought their aircraft up to the level of the MiG-31 through a number of upgrades. However, they could not equalize.

Although, of course, these two aircraft were not assigned identical tasks. The "American", being a carrier-based aircraft, must repel air attacks on an aircraft carrier, which involves not only patrolling, but also participating in air battles with the enemy. "Rossiyanin" controls large areas and should not gain air supremacy.

To a large extent, this is why the F-14 has lower speed and ceiling, but higher maneuverability. The MiG-31 is required to catch up with the enemy at any height and fire missiles at him. That is why it has a low maximum operational overload for the class of fighters - 5g. The F-14 is one and a half times higher - 7,5g.

The quality of an interceptor is determined by such a characteristic as the "interception limit line" - this is the removal of the target, at which the interceptor, having started, is able to catch up and destroy it. With a target speed of 2.35M for the MiG-31, this parameter is 720 kilometers. For the F-14, a target flying at a speed of only Mach 1.5 is reachable from a distance not exceeding 250 km. At a target speed of 0.8M, the milestones are: 1250 and 800 km.

But the rocket for the F-14, AIM-54, was more long-range - 185 km versus 160 km for the MiG-31. In addition, she had better overload capabilities, and a higher speed - 5M versus 4.5M.

In 2006, the United States abandoned interceptor aircraft, replacing the F-14 with the F / A-18E / F Super Hornet carrier-based multi-role fighter. With flight characteristics approximately equal to those of the decommissioned aircraft, it is armed with a missile with a range of 40 km. Thus, the entire anti-aircraft defense of aircraft carrier groups was assigned to missile weapons.

Of course, there is a reason for this. Since it is irrational to keep dual-purpose aircraft on a deck of a limited area, this leads to a decrease in the strike potential of the AUG. But that is their main task. The Russian air defense structure cannot do without interceptor aircraft due to the vast area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe protected territory, surrounded from the west, east and south by numerous military bases of neighboring states, where NATO rules the ball. The United States is surrounded by vast expanses of water, as well as Latin American countries with low military potential.

And at this time, the MiG-31 went even further ahead. Since 2008, it has been modernized to the modification of the MiG-31BM. Almost all the electronics on the plane are changing. A new R-37 missile with a range of 300 km has appeared. Armament was supplemented with air-to-surface missiles. The new Zaslon-M radar is capable of detecting bombers located at a distance of 400 km, and fighters at a distance of 320 km. At the same time, 24 targets are tracked and 8 are attacked.

The updated interceptor was able to destroy aerodynamic targets with a speed of 5M, as well as satellites in low, up to 150 km, orbits.

With regard to the MiG-41, we only know that it will continue the line of successful MiG-25 and MiG-31 interceptors. I must say that this aircraft could have appeared in the last century, if not for the devastation of the 90s. The fact is that by the end of the 80s, the Design Bureau had manufactured and started testing five prototypes of the MiG-31M, which became a deep modernization of the original modification. Their maximum takeoff weight was increased by 5 tons, the glider was partially adjusted. But the work was stopped for known reasons.

Something is now used in the MiG-31BM. For example, the Barrier-M radar, a new missile. The MiG-31M has a new engine with increased thrust D-30F6M - 16500 hp. afterburner instead of 15500 hp A two-channel optical-location system was installed. And the gun was removed because of its complete meaninglessness for an aircraft that is not intended to participate in close combat.

As a result of testing the combat capabilities of the aircraft at the Akhtyubinsk training ground in 1992, the MiG-31M hit a target located at a distance of 228 km, which was impossible for any aircraft in the world.

It can be assumed that the new aircraft largely uses this development. But at the same time, of course, the latest scientific and technical achievements will be used in the creation of on-board equipment.

In conclusion, it should be added that RAC "MiG" is beginning to show business activity. Most recently, the presentation of the MiG-35 took place. Now the company promises to improve the world's best interceptor.

Give me the MiG-41! Or how to protect yourself from Tomahawks and hypersonic missiles by 100%

Under the heading "Top Secret" the development of the latest MiG-41 interceptor aircraft is underway. Today it is impossible even to imagine, everything that can be found in the media is the assumptions of the authors.

Previous history of the creation of the MiG-41

The MiG-41 is being developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau on the basis of the predecessor MiG-31 and its upgraded version, work has been underway since 2013. Many scientific institutions are involved in the case. Improving interceptors for a long time was not carried out, this explains the large scope. If you miss some time, you have to make serious changes. The project will be very different from previous versions. It is not typical for the fifth generation to hang weapons on pylons, it is necessary to have a promising type of weapons, low visibility and a strong radar. As well as improve their characteristics, taking into account changes in battle tactics.

Possible appearance of the MiG-41

Russia today has a unique missile defense system since the times of the USSR, in addition to long-range and short-range air defense systems, MiG-31 interceptor fighters are also used to protect the sky. These are unique and effective aircraft against low-flying Tomahawk-type missiles (2 m above the sea and 5 m above land), but this technique has not been modernized by designers for a long time, and the flying one is pretty worn out, it has been serving since the times of the USSR. The presence of a sufficient number of such aircraft at their borders is a 100% peaceful sky. There are about 200 old aircraft.

Mikoyanovites hold world records for altitude and speed, range and accuracy of hitting targets. The MiG-31 is the 4th generation special forces of the most effective missile defense system in the world, with the help of an interceptor, the capabilities for intercepting air, space and sea targets are significantly expanded. NATO deploys its anti-missile defense systems near the borders, builds and will continue to build an already deadly fleet to go to foreign shores, develops hyper-speed missiles and aircraft, the latest drones - all to gain the right of first strike as a result of creating a temporary advantage. The Atlantic military alliance constantly monitors the actions of all states on the planet with the help of space and underwater systems.

The latest upgrade is the MiG-31BM, which has not yet entered service with the VKS. And before they had time to talk about it, the leaders of the country's top military department had already announced the next project, the MiG-41. Officially, this first became known on February 28, 2014 from the mouth of the Air Force Commander-in-Chief V. Bondar. And now it is expected that in 2017 the prototype will begin the first design tests. At the very least, but until 2030, NATO will reckon with worn-out MiGs.

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What will be the performance characteristics of the MiG-41

The maneuverability inherent in the PAK FA is not needed by these fighters, the MiG-41 needs speed and altitude to destroy ballistic missiles and satellites in lower earth orbit from 160 to 2000 km. An important technical solution will also be the range of flights to accompany aircraft carrying nuclear missiles of the Tu-160 type. The all-weather fighter-interceptor of the 5th generation will fly at all altitudes in order to destroy first of all medium-range missiles of the Tomahawk type, hidden from air defense radars with a flight altitude of 2 m above the sea and 5 m above land, enveloping the terrain and covering distances of 2,500 km.

The task of the MiGs will remain the same, to quickly find a target with the help of long-range radars, release their entire arsenal in a salvo with a 100% hit rate and also quickly hide without engaging in close combat with enemy aircraft. It is worth expecting new speed records from the car. It is worth noting that the MiG-31BM pilots are provided with an uninterrupted air supply system and are not limited in flight time. This advantage when flying into the stratosphere is important, in that part of the sky you can have complete superiority. For the same reason, we should expect unmanned control.

The speed of flights near the ground will probably remain the same 1500 km / h. And instead of Mach 2.83 at an altitude of 21 km, you can easily expect Mach 4. How high the new MiG can rise is anyone's guess, perhaps 50 km, if necessary. The case of the upgraded predecessor is 50% stainless steel, 33% aluminum, 16% titanium and only 1% composite materials. Most likely, a stealth body will be created, made of composite materials, maybe like the PAK FA. For the same reason, in order to reduce the EPR of your aircraft (make it inconspicuous), you will have to change the architecture of the aircraft (hide your weapons inside).

Another possible appearance of the MiG-41

Armament of the MiG-41 - what to expect from the project

The main weapon of the MiGs today are the R-33 long-range air-to-air missiles, the improvement of which continues. Since 2011, new versions reach 200 km, not 120. For the first time, they may become weapons for the MiG-41. The rocket body consists of 4 compartments, the first one with both contact and radio fuses. The second compartment is equipped with an autopilot and a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The third compartment accommodates a dual-mode solid-propellant power plant; the rocket propulsor has an elongated gas duct with nozzle gas. Around this gas conduit is placed the fourth compartment, where gas and turbo generators, as well as control units and steering machines operating on hot gas. The homing head covers 60 degrees and works in the Zaslon system.

The shapes of missiles can now also be rectangular such as Kh-59MK-2 and Kh-58SHKU, as for PAK FA. All types of missiles are also needed by the MiG-41, although they are not multi-purpose, but still there are enough targets for work both sea and ground. X-31P anti-radar missiles or their analogues can also be used. All of them will be subject to a weapons control system based on a powerful Zaslon-M radar. Bombs of large destructive power against fortified ground targets such as KAB-1500 and KAB-500, used by their predecessors, can also come in handy. This aircraft will have to operate in conditions of powerful electronic warfare, overcome any enemy air defense. With the first test flights, the appearance of the MiG-41 project will become known, wait a bit and it will be seen what kind of interceptor of the future it is.

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At the international forum "", the general director of the Russian Aircraft Corporation (RSK) "MiG" Ilya Tarasenko announced that the Russian advanced long-range interception aviation complex (PAK DP) MiG-41 will be able to perform tasks in space.

So far, something even remotely similar to the MiG-41 prototype does not exist in nature. However, rumors that work on the creation of this unknown aerospace machine is either already underway, or is about to begin, go around with enviable constancy. Let's try to figure out what we are talking about.

In place of the legend

The MiG-41, according to the plan of the MiG leadership, should replace the MiG-31 fighter-interceptor, inherited by modern Russia from the USSR. These machines, created during the heyday of the MiG, had characteristics that were unique for their time.

Their main task was to patrol the vast airspace of the world's largest country, which, with the most modern missile attack early warning system, continued to have problems with electronic coverage of its own borders.

MiG-31 fighters performed the function of flying air defense systems - their advanced (for aircraft) radars effectively detected targets, and powerful engines made it possible to quickly reach the line of attack.

Thanks to the modernization of this machine, its capabilities are still relevant to this day - it can patrol areas where air defense systems do not reach, and also play the role of early warning and control aircraft (AWACS), which the Russian army lacks. So, for example, the MiG-31 was used in Syria.

This is where the uniqueness of the MiG-31 ends. It is worth noting that, apart from speed and a dynamic flight ceiling, this machine has no advantages over modern modifications of fourth-generation fighters. That is why, in a world seeking to reduce costs through unification, only Russia has fighter-interceptors.

With an eye on space

One of the advantages of the new aircraft, which will distinguish it from the Russian military already in service, Tarasenko called the possibility of working in space.

First of all, it should be understood that by "space" the head of the MiG most likely meant the stratosphere. This is because the theoretical altitude limit for ramjet operation is 45 km. At the moment, the flight altitude record belongs to the predecessor of the MiG-31 - the MiG-25M - and is 37.8 km.

In addition, it is Russia itself that actively opposes the deployment of weapons in space (since this would deal a strong blow to the US nuclear deterrence capabilities): according to international standards, outer space begins beyond the Karman line - above 100 km.

But why would a plane fly so high?

There are only two answers: the destruction of satellites and ballistic missiles, as well as, possibly, the prompt launch of satellites into orbit. Attempts to use the MiG-31 for these purposes have already been made and are probably still being made. It is not possible to judge the effectiveness of this work from open sources due to the extreme sensitivity of the topic.

space wars

It is known that heavy missiles were tested with the MiG-31D, which the media called "30P6 Contact" and "Ishim". Their launch range, according to information available in the media, is approximately 500-600 km. That is, at the limit of range, such missiles can theoretically hit some US reconnaissance satellites, for example, the Lacrosse electronic surveillance systems, which are believed to be used to track the combat duty areas of Russian mobile strategic missile systems, American low-orbit communications satellites of the system may also be at risk. Iridium.

Another extremely useful feature that could justify the high cost of a PAK DP is intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) interception. When warheads enter the atmosphere, their speed is more than 6 km / s, and their interception by direct hit is an extremely difficult task.

At the same time, the ICBM is practically defenseless during the space phase of the flight. It is believed that the apogee of the trajectory of the American Minuteman missiles is about 1000 km. That is, the defeat of a missile even before the separation of warheads is a completely realistic task.

More questions than answers

For the practical implementation of these scenarios, the PAK DP (MiG-41) will require a high payload. In fact, the aircraft is used in this case as the first stage of a launch vehicle; it is hardly realistic to combine this fully with the capabilities inherent in a fighter.

In the United States, they are acting in this direction more substantively. For the rapid launch of cargo into space, the XS-1 apparatus is being developed here. According to preliminary information released by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the XS-1 will be able to launch payloads weighing up to 2,300 kilograms into a low reference orbit. That is, up to 10 times more than the promising Russian PAK DP, which will combine the functions of a small AWACS aircraft, a fighter and a space launch vehicle, can do.

All this leaves many questions. How expedient is it to create such an aircraft? Will the Russian budget pull the creation and purchase of three very expensive aircraft at once - PAK DA and PAK DP? Does Russia need a high-speed interceptor if the military plans to buy a Su-57 capable of maintaining supersonic cruising speed? And most importantly, is the MiG, which is not in the best financial and organizational condition (lack of orders not only abroad, but also in Russia, protracted work on the MiG-35, numerous complaints about product quality from foreign customers), able to effectively master the allocated for R & D funds or the country will receive another very expensive hyped long-term construction?

The Russian MiG-41 fighter, which is being developed in Russia, may enter the test in the near future. This is reported by the American magazine The National Interest.

The material says that the new fighter is being developed separately from the T-50 PAK FA and the project will begin to be actively implemented after the completion of work on the PAK FA, which means that there will be no competition for resources between these projects.

Very little is known about the MiG-41 project due to its secrecy, but, as they say, the earth is full of rumors about it. Even the modification itself - the MiG-41 - only indicates that it will be the development of the OKB. Mikoyan, and the aircraft itself will be a further development of the famous MiG-31 fighter that currently exists and is successfully operated in the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Confirmation of the birth of a new aircraft can be the words of the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev, who a year ago said that R & D (research work) was already underway, and since 2017 it is planned to start R & D (experimental design work) to create a promising aviation complex long-range interception. And by 2025, this aircraft should begin to enter service with aviation regiments.

These words were indirectly confirmed by Sergey Korotkov, Director General of the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, who made a landmark statement that work on the creation of the latest fighter-interceptor is already underway and from 2026 it will enter the Aerospace Forces. And although none of them spoke about any particular aircraft, it is quite obvious that this is precisely the MiG-41 interceptor, which will become the heir to the best traditions of the MiG-31 fighter.

It is known that the project of a long-range fighter-interceptor (a promising aviation complex for long-range interception - PAK DP) developed on the basis of the MiG-31 is being carried out at the OKB. Mikoyan together with the Nizhny Novgorod Design Bureau of the Sokol aircraft plant. The development was started back in 2013 - at first at the suggestion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, and later by order of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

The aircraft is planned to be developed as part of the armament program until 2020 and replace the MiG-31 fleet, of which 120 aircraft are currently in service with the Aerospace Forces (75 have already been modernized, the rest will be brought up to the BM level in the next 2-3 years). With all the advantages of the “thirty-first” (it has no equal in the world, not only in terms of speed), the service life of these machines ends in 2028 and they simply need to be replaced.
By this time, the new-generation MiG-41 fighter-interceptor should appear in the Aerospace Forces. And the main feature of the new interceptor should be the speed - 4500 km / h.

This hypersonic aircraft will also carry hypersonic missiles. The newest fighter will also be able to launch small satellites into near-Earth orbit, which is now within the power of some modifications of the MiG-31, but the MiG-41 will have much greater capabilities.

“A new long-range interceptor on the MiG was already being developed in the early 90s under the code “project 701,” says aviation expert Valentin Dudin. - The new development was not similar to the previous MiG fighters and, according to its characteristics, was supposed to become the most powerful air defense combat aircraft with an estimated speed of up to 7000 kilometers. But there was not enough money, and the attitude towards the “defense industry” then was irresponsible. But the current planned new interceptor will most likely be developed on the basis of the MiG-31, which is quite logical. This is both faster and more economical. And the capabilities of the future MiG-41 will be orders of magnitude superior to previous models. He will even be able to intercept the hypersonic attack drones currently being developed by the Americans, which theoretically can only be done by the S-500 air defense systems.”

The MiG-41 has not yet been born, and its main characteristics and weapons are not fully known, but this fighter-interceptor is already making our potential enemy pretty worried. Still, an aircraft overtaking missiles is a weighty argument in deterring aggression. And in 10 years it will fly just as calmly and fearlessly over the territory of America, as did 45 years ago by its "granddaughters" - the MiG-25. Heredity, you can't do anything about it.