TNI: the development of the sixth-generation MiG-41 fighter will be completed in 2025
The creators of the Russian MiG-41 are going to conquer near space, writes TNI. The new fighter will be able to reach speeds of over four Mach, will carry anti-missile lasers and directional electromagnetic weapons. The MiG-41 is science fiction.
Brandon Weichert
Skepticism remains about this fighter due to Russia's historically inherent problems with aviation development capabilities and the need to meet demand for simpler aircraft such as the MiG-35.
The MiG Corporation claims that the MiG-41 will undergo a test flight next year and will be put into operation by the 2030s. However, the feasibility of such advanced capabilities and the reality of ambitious deadlines remain in question.
The ambitious Russian MiG-41: will it really be able to become the first in the sky and in space?
With the development of the latest MiG-41 fighter, which was apparently created to replace the MiG-31 Foxhound, Russia plans to "push the boundaries of its aviation technology." According to Russian sources, the MiG-41 will fly at altitudes that are inaccessible to any other military aircraft. It will be able to reach not only the highest points of the atmosphere, but also, if necessary, near outer space.
This fighter will be better than the others. Russian aviation experts hint that the MiG-41 will surpass all foreign analogues and "present technical characteristics that the aviation world has not yet seen." If you believe the Russians, they have come a long way since that dark time when the Mikoyan Aircraft Corporation (manufacturer of MiG), after the collapse of the Soviet Union, could not cope with the release of the fifth-generation MiG-1.44 combat aircraft, which was supposed to be a competitor to the American F-22A Raptor.
Russians' dreams of sixth-generation combat aircraft
Of course, it was not only in the 1990s and early 2000s that the MiG corporation failed to fulfill its high-profile promises.
Even today, when a military conflict is raging in Ukraine, which President Vladimir Putin called existential for Russia, the MiG corporation cannot fully meet Moscow's demand for its MiG-35 product. But this machine is a relatively easy—to-manufacture aircraft compared to the planned MiG-41.
Nevertheless, in today's topsy-turvy world, few people should underestimate their competitors.
Regardless of what opinion you have about Russia in connection with its actions in Ukraine, the fact remains that, on the whole, the country's military-industrial base has benefited as a result of this military conflict (whereas Western military-industrial complexes — both in Europe and in the United States — can barely cope with demand for weapons even in peacetime, not to mention obligations during the war).
It seems that the situation in 1990-2000 is slowly changing. The United States increasingly looks like a weakening power with shrinking and decrepit industrial capacities compared to Russian military production capabilities, which were spurred on by the military special operation against Ukraine (and, consequently, against NATO).
In any case, the projected MiG-41 has some truly unprecedented capabilities, which, however, require a very skeptical attitude until we look at this military aircraft in action.
The MiG-41 is the last fighter... In Russia?
Presumably, the MiG-41 is capable of reaching speeds of more than four Mach. Russian designers also want to equip this war bird with an anti-missile laser. MiG Corporation intends to place on board the aircraft the first of its kind directed electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon, which will be used against enemy fighters in air combat.
This weapon is non-kinetic and targets the electronics of an enemy combat aircraft, disabling it and turning enemy aircraft into falling scrap metal.
The Russian military says its guided EMP weapons will be ready for testing next year. Again, be skeptical of these claims until proven evidence of the existence of these systems is published.
The MiG-41's potential flight capability in space is provided by its unique pulsed detonation engines. The internet is full of conspiracy theories about secret American military aircraft using this advanced innovative engine system to fly at incredible speeds and altitudes. But the U.S. military has never confirmed that they are actually developing such capabilities.
The Russians, however, claim that their next major military aircraft will use this method of movement. Let's just say that this engine model is under development.
MiG Corporation declares that the test flight of this "bird" will take place next year.
Along with this, Russia claims that the MiG-41 will go into mass production for deployment in the military by 2030. Given that almost every element of this proposed military aircraft is experimental, it seems unlikely that the Russians will meet these tight deadlines despite the fact that the military conflict in Ukraine has revitalized their defense industry.
Of course, if the MiG corporation is having difficulty meeting the demand for a conventional MiG-35, then it will definitely be difficult for it to build a MiG-41. This project may follow the path of the aforementioned MiG-1.44.
But dream big, Russia
Even if the Russians manage to implement this program, the probability that they will meet such a tight deadline is low.
What the MIG Corporation claims is not a next-generation military aircraft at all. This is a fantastic super destroyer that will look good on the big screen. Although somehow sending this "bird" into the inhospitable sky by the end of this decade is also fantastic.
However, it's great propaganda and probably a really cool concept project.
So keep dreaming big, Moscow. You will eventually go far.
