Hugh Harkins

MiG-35/D 'Fulcrum' F: Towards the Fifth Generation Hugh Harkins

The RAC MiG-35/D multirole combat aircraft emerged in 2007 as a land based variant of the Unified Fighter Family based on the MiG-29K/KUB naval optimised multirole combat aircraft contracted by the Indian Navy. The MiG-35/D builds on the capabilities of the MiG-29K/KUB and its land based analogue, the MiG-29M/M2, by introducing a number of fifth generation targeting and navigation systems. The introduction of Omni-directional nozzles for the engines will allow the aircraft, like its rivals from Sukhoi, the Su-30MKI series and the Su-35S, to truly enter the realm of 'super-manoeuvrable' flight. This volume briefly outlines the aircraft design lineage - the first generation MiG-29, and briefly covers the evolution of the Unified Fighter Family of MiG-29K/KUB/MiG-29M2 before moving over to the MiG-35/D which is described in detail. The weapons cleared for the MiG-35/D are described while appendices include specifications on the MiG-35/D and its forebears. All technical information used in this volume regarding the aircraft, systems and weapons has been furnished by the respective design houses, as has the majority of the photographs and diagrams supporting the text.