MIG 41 (PROJECT 1.

44) Worlds Fastest

Fighter

INTRODUCTION
The

Mikoyan Project 1.44/1.42 was a technology demonstrator

developed by the Mikoyan design bureau.

It

was the Soviet Union's answer to the U.S.'s Advanced Tactical

Fighter (ATF), incorporating many fifth-generation fighter aspects
such as advanced avionics, stealth, supermaneuverability, and
supercruise.

The

designs development was a protracted one, characterized by

repeated and lengthy postponements due to a chronic lack of funds;
the MiG 1.44 made its maiden flight in February 2000, nine years
behind schedule.

The current status of the 1.44 is unknown.

DESIGN
The MiG MFI was a delta wing, twin-tailed, fifth-generation air superiority/strike

fighter design that incorporated advanced technology to theoretically give the

aircraft excellent stealth and fighting attributes.

It has a tricycle landing gear system, with a single, dual-wheel landing gear in the
front, and two single-wheels in the rear.

Mikoyan made use of weight-saving materials in the construction of the aircraft,

with aluminum-lithium alloys making up 35% of the empty weight, steel and
titanium alloys (30%), composites (30%) and others (5%).

The MiG MFI was unconventional in its layout, in an effort to improve in-flight
efficiency and stealth characteristics. Efforts were made to minimize surface-area,
possibly to reduce drag.

The wings are of delta platform, with leading-edge sweep at 52.

At the tips are dielectric fairings which house electronic countermeasures/electronic
support measures. The wings have full-span leading edge.

The canards, meanwhile, have a leading-edge sweep of 58, and have prominent
dogtooth which improve airflow over the wings at high alpha (angles of attack).

TESTING & CANCELLATION

During 1999, final preparations were made for first flight.
The aircraft was finally completed after missing components were purchased. It
underwent ground tests, including high-speed taxis during which the aircraft was rotated.

On 29 February 2000, the aircraft performed its first flight at the hands of Vladimir
Gorboonov.

During the 18-minute flight, 1.44 reached a maximum height of 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and
reached speeds of 600 km/h (370 mph).

The aircraft touched down at 11:43 am Moscow Time, amid tight security. Gorboonov
later described the aircraft as docile.

After the 22-minute second flight on 27 April, engineers probably uncovered some
problems, since there were no reported flights thereafter.

The programme had since apparently been cancelled, with the aircraft's status unknown.

VARIANTS

MiG

1.42/42 Primary version which may go onto

production; the functions are better than that of
the 1.44. NATO named it "Foxglove".

MiG

1.44 Demonstrator prototype with failed

upgrades; will remain a demonstrator. 2 have
been built. NATO named it "Flatpack".

SPECIFICATIONS
Crew: 1
Length: 19 m
Wingspan: 15 m
Height: 4.50 m
Weight: 28,000 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 35,000 kg
Powerplant: 2 Lyulka AL-41F afterburning turbofans, 176 kN
Maximum speed: Mach 2.6 (2,760 km/h, 1,725 mph)
Range: 4,000 km
Service ceiling: 21,555 m

REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_Project_1.44
http://
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Mig-144.png

http://
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Mig_1-44-2.p
ng

THANK YOU