The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. It is larger than the next 13 largest navies combined in terms of battle fleet tonnage, according to one estimate.[5][6] The U.S. Navy also has the world's largest carrier fleet, with 10 in service, one under construction (two planned), and two in reserve. The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-35, NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-F) is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by Mikoyan.[2] The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. 10 prototypes have been built so far and are currently subject to extensive field trials.[3] The MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent, exceeding its previous criteria of classification.[citation needed] MiG Corporation first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show.[4] The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG".[5] The single seat version is designated MiG-35 and the two-seat version is MiG-35D. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new AESA radar and the 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. Overview[edit] The final configuration of the MiG-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally using the MIL-STD-1553 bus.[19] The main advantage of an open architecture configuration for its avionics is that future customers will have options to choose from components and systems made by Russian, United States, French and Israeli sources. The Ramenskoye Design Company will act as systems integrator.[3] Powerplant[edit] The RD-33MK "Morskaya Osa" (Russian: Морская Оса, literally: "Sea Wasp" or Chironex fleckeri) 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 include systems that reduce infrared and optical visibility. The engines may be fitted with vectored-thrust nozzles, which would result an increase in combat efficiency by 12% to 15%.[7][20] RD-33OVT engine variant comes with thrust vectoring nozzles, and can direct thrust in two directions or planes. As of 2012, the only in-service, in-production fighter jet using this technology is Su-35. Other current thrust-vectoring aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI and the F-22, have nozzles that each vector in one plane.[3] Sensors[edit] New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The Phazotron Zhuk-AE 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, tracked and able to be engaged simultaneously. The radar is thought to have detection range of 160 km (86 nmi) for air targets and 300 km (160 nmi) for ships.[21] General characteristics Crew: one or two Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in) Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) Wing area: 38 m2 (409 ft2) Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb) Loaded weight: 17,500 kg (38,600 lb) Max. takeoff weight: 29,700 kg (65,500 lb) Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans Dry thrust: 5,400 kgf, 53.0 kN (11,900 lbf) each Thrust with afterburner: 9,000 kgf, 88.3 kN (19,800 lbf) each Performance Maximum speed: Mach 2.35 (2,600 km/h, 1,491 mph) at altitude;[23] 1,450 km/h (901 mph) at low-level Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi) Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi) Ferry range: 3,100 km(1,930 mi)with 3 external fuel tanks Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft) Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min[26]) Thrust/weight: 1.03[27] Max. maneuvering load factor: 10.0 g[24] Armament Guns: 1× 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, 150 rounds Hardpoints: 9 total (8× under-wing, 1× centre-line) with a capacity of 7,000 kg[7] Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-24, S-25L, S-250 unguided and laser-guided rockets Missiles: Air-to-air: AA-10 Alamo: 4× R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ET AA-8 Aphid: 4× R-60M AA-11 Archer: 8× R-73E, R-73M, R-74M AA-12 Adder: 8× R-77 Air-to-surface: AS-17 Krypton: 4× Kh-31A, Kh-31P AS-14 Kedge: 4× Kh-29T, Kh-29L Bombs: Guided: KAB-500L: 500 kg laser-guided bomb KAB-500T: 500 kg TV-guided bomb Unguided: FAB-250: 250 kg bomb FAB-500: 500 kg bomb ZAB-500 fuel-air explosive Bomb Avionics

• published: 10 Dec 2013
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