MiG-35 in radar testing

This spring Russian jet maker MiG Corp. conducted the final stage of flight trials on its MiG-35 Gen 4++ fighter. The MiG-35 was developed from the MiG-29 Fulcrum model under the requirements of the Indian Air Force tender for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), unofficially estimated at more than $10 billion. During the trials the aircraft for the first time demonstrated integration between the weapons and its Zhuk-AE AESA radar, and now stands a good chance to win the tender in which it competes with the Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing F/A-18, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen.

The last trials in April involved two MiG-35 prototypes – a single-seat version with the side number 961, and a two-seat version, side number 967. The latter was modified to carry the Zhuk-AE multi-function X-band radar with an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) developed by Moscow-based Phazotron-NIIR Corporation.

A Russian industry source told Russia & CIS Observer that at this stage the aircraft had confirmed their flight parameters with various loads and for the first time demonstrated operation of the AESA radar and its integration with the weapons. The two-seat number 967 made 18 sorties, piloted by both Russian and Indian pilots.