MiG-41 fighter: the Russian 6th generation fighter can be described in 2 words

Will not fly: The MiG-41, a sixth-generation fighter touted in Russia, promises Mach 4 speeds and advanced anti-satellite capabilities, but remains shrouded in mystery. Developed by Mikoyan and formally known as the PAK DP, it is purportedly intended to outperform any military aircraft in the world.

However, experts are skeptical due to the technological requirements of sustained hypersonic speeds, extreme temperatures and Mach-4 level weapons integration. Although Moscow claims that there has been some progress in development, Russia’s ongoing challenges in Ukraine raise doubts about the possibility of launching such an expensive and technologically advanced project any time soon.

– Despite bold claims, the MiG-41 remains more of an ambitious vision than a reality.

Russian MiG-41: Can Moscow Build a Sixth Generation Fighter in Wartime?

The US military has been bragging about it for a long time air superiority over enemies around the world. In 1997, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor took to the skies for the first time, becoming the first in the world fifth generation fighter.

Since then, American adversaries have worked hard to develop powerful counterattacks American stealth fighters.

To compete, Moscow and Beijing in particular are modernizing their air capabilities American next-generation platforms.

In 2018, the Kremlin revealed that he is working on a sixth-generation fighter.

Few details about this platform have emerged over the past five years, but Moscow insists that the MiG-41, once produced, will blow its American counterparts out of the water.

Given Russia’s scarcity of funds and resources war effort There is probably no room for the development of this mysterious fighter in Ukraine.

The well-known story of the MiG-41

The MiG-41 is being developed by manufacturer Mikojan and is known in Russia as Mikojan PAK DP.

Initial details remain under wraps, but the fighter design has reportedly already been revealed finalized in 2019

The new jet will reportedly be equipped with a jet or turbojet engine that will be able to accelerate the airframe to speeds of Mach 4.3 or even Mach 5. If these numbers are confirmed, the new Russian fighter will become the fastest military aircraft in the world.

Moscow also claimed that the sixth-generation fighter would be equipped with anti-satellite missiles that would enable it to operate in near-space environments.

MiG-41: Alleged “Specifications and Capabilities”

As he explained Cutting equipmentThe Kremlin has many hurdles to overcome if it expects the rest of the world to believe its claims about the MiG-41:

“First, long-duration supersonic flight requires large amounts of fuel, and carrying tons of fuel adds weight. Moreover, flight at Mach-4 produces an unfathomable amount of heat, and the extreme temperatures caused by air friction require a new-age material that repels heat while maintaining an invisible coating.

In addition to the unlikely claims of the MiG-41’s speed, reports of weapons being stored in the airframe appear to be exaggerated.

While Russian engineers suggest the MiG-41 will have significant capabilities, other experts and industry analysts are skeptical given scientific research on supersonic speeds.

How scratched in the previous article, weapons such as cannons and guns could be rendered useless supersonic airframes. There have been cases of unintentional shooting at each other due to flying too fast.

Don’t expect to see a MiG-41 anytime soon

Although much remains unknown, Russian authorities have provided minimal confirmation that research and development work on the MiG-41 fighter is ongoing.

Official of the Defense Committee of the State Duma of Russia announced that: “The appropriate decision was made by the Chief of General Staff; has already signed a document to conduct research work on the MiG-41 project.”

Moscow may be looking for its own new stealth fighter, but the chance of completing such a technologically advanced airframe in the coming years is very small.

Given reports that Moscow is running out of weapons, funds and resources Invasion of Ukrainethe notion that a country could currently develop and produce such an expensive platform is almost laughable.

About the author: Maya Carlin

Maja Carlin is an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. Her articles can be found in numerous publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

Image source: Creative Commons.