The most important changes are the Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the RD-33MK engines and the newly designed Optical Locator System (OLS). Other obvious changes in the cockpit are the reduction in analog electronics.

[edit] Powerplant

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%.

With the vectored thrust nozzles, the engines are designated RD-33OVT and will allow the Mig-35 to be the first twin-engine aircraft with vectoring nozzles that can move in all axes. Other existing thrust vectoring aircraft, like the Su-30MKI and the F-22, all feature two-dimensional vectoring nozzles.

[edit] Cockpit

Analog electronics are minimized, being replaced by 3 equal-size colour liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and an additional display for the OLS (the MiG-35D rear cockpit has four LCDs).

[edit] Sensors

New modifications include the newly rolled-out Phazotron Zhuk-AE active electronically scanne array (AESA) radar and an optronic complex consisting of the newly designed OLS to replace the previous IRST sensor, an additional OLS under the right air intake, and a pair of laser emission detectors on each wing tip.

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.

The OLS, a new development from space technologies, incorporates a helmet-mounted target designation system providing targeting solutions for both ground and air targets in the forward and aft hemispheres of the aircraft. The most vital difference from the previous IRST sensor is that the new device provides not only a better operation range but also offers manually switchable display options of IR view, TV mode or a mix of both that significantly improves man-machine coordination. The OLS on the nose serves as the IRST while the OLS under the right air intake serves as the ground strike designator.

In air combat, the optronic suite allows:

• Detection of non-afterburning targets at 45 km range and more;
• Identification of those targets at 8 to 10 km range; and
• Estimates of aerial target range at up to 15 km.

For ground targets, the suite allows:

• A tank-effective detection range up to 15 km, and aircraft carrier detection at 60 to 80 km;
• Identification of the tank type on the 8 to 10 km range, and of an aircraft carrier at 40 to 60 km; and
• Estimates of ground target range of up to 20 km.

The defensive system equipment consists of radar reconnaissance, electronic countermeasures, and optical systems — notably the laser emission detector on each wingtip — which are able to detect and evaluate the approaching danger and operate decoy dispensers to counteract the approaching threat in the radar and infrared ranges.

[edit] Open Architecture

The final configuration of the MiG-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally using the MIL-STD-1553 bus. The main advantage of an open architecture configuration for its avionics is that future customers will have an option to choose from components and systems manufactured by Russian, French and Israeli companies. The Ramenskoe Design Company will act as the systems integrator.

Specifications

The MiG-35 is currently in development. Information listed below is preliminary and may change.

Data from Mikoyan MiG-29M2 data, Aero India, deagel.com, ASD-network, and Rian.ru

General characteristics

• Crew: one or two
• Length: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
• 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 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,491 mph) at altitude
  • Range: 2,000 km (1,240 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)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.03

  Armament
  

  • Guns: 1× 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, 150 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 9 total (8× under-wing, 1× centre-line) with a capacity of over 6,500 kg external fuel and ordnance
  • 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
        • AS-20: 4× Kh-59
        • 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
              

              • Phazotron Zhuk AE AESA radar (or other members of the Zhuk radar family) 
              • NII PP Optical Locator System