Opinion of the Mig 31

[Feanor]

So it's a supposition, rather then an actual plan. There are proposed SMT upgrade for the fleet, as well as plans to acquire the MiG-35 as a replacement. The airframe resource on the MiG-29 fleet will probably last through the next decade, given regular overhauls and good maintenance. The real issue is long term replacement, and this is where the MiG-35 comes in.

 

[Haavarla]

So when are the Mig-35's and Mig-29K's contracted?
Are there any sources on overhauling the Legacy Mig-29 fleet in RuAF?

 

[Feanor]

So when are the Mig-35's and Mig-29K's contracted?
Are there any sources on overhauling the Legacy Mig-29 fleet in RuAF?

Let me get back to you on that. There was some sort of repair and maintenance done after they discoevered airframe issues from lack of maintenance.

The MiG-35 contract is expected by 2015, the MiG-29K contract probably once the contract to India is well underway.

EDIT: Here's sources on the MiG-29K

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2009/russia-091009-rianovosti06.htm

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091009/156412003.html

 

[Haavarla]

Why do i have this feeling that the Mig-35 for RuAF fate is in the Indian MRCA tender..?

 

[Feanor]

Not necessarily. It was selected as the LFI requirement for the VVS. If the funds are there it's likely that it will see a production run.

EDIT: There are indeed no current overhaul plans for the MiG-29. The SMT upgrade proposal for them is dated. It's unclear how many of them are currently flyable, since they were last grounded because of corrosion issues. However there are currently no plans to scrap the Fulcrum fleet entirely. Certainly not when the new carrier fighter will be the MiG-29K, and the LFI will be the MiG-35 (at least until they say otherwise).

In fact, upon some extra thought, I think the converse is true in regards to the Indian tender. If the MiG-35 wins it, then Sokol will be busy producing airframes for India, and VVS orders will be to the tune of 48-72 aircraft at the most. If India doesn't place any orders, then production lines will be open, and it's quite likely to see a more extensive production run (finances permitting).

 

[Haavarla]

Then it may be true that the Legacy Mig-29 fleet is to be retired.
If this is an proposed plan or if it has been implemented remains to be seen..

The SMT's is of course getting service after 2015, and if and when the Mig-29K and Mig-35 enters service, there will still be Fulcrums in the VVS fleet.

B.t.w. how many more of the 16th Mig-29K ordered India are left on Sokol plant?
There was originaly twelve K's and four KUB's.
I got four delivered so far(two KUB and two K's).

 

[Feanor]

Then it may be true that the Legacy Mig-29 fleet is to be retired.
If this is an proposed plan or if it has been implemented remains to be seen..

The SMT's is of course getting service after 2015, and if and when the Mig-29K and Mig-35 enters service, there will still be Fulcrums in the VVS fleet.

B.t.w. how many more of the 16th Mig-29K ordered India are left on Sokol plant?
There was originaly twelve K's and four KUB's.
I got four delivered so far(two KUB and two K's).

I haven't been following it, but I'll check it out for you.

The MiG-29 fleet will obviusly be retired eventually. My point is that it's unlikely to see mass retirement with no clear replacement in the next several years.

 

[Feanor]

In the first instance 24 satellites might provide a global footprint, but it does not provide full redundant coverage. hence why both the soviets/russians/americans regard proper coverage with redundant tailgating as 36 satellites

for full redundant global coverage, with tailgating to proviide overwatch across all timeslots then its 36, its barely covered (proper redundancy) by by 26.

Note that the number of launches that the russians deemed necessary to get to the preferred constellation size has not eventuated.

and yes, I spent some 18 months on a satellite project because I worked in a track and target management project involving military satellites.

Thought you might be interested in the update... with 3 more GLONASS-M satellites launching early December (what happened to GLONASS-K?!), it will give us 8 satellites operating in 3 planes, with 1-2 spare satellites in each plane for a total of 24 operational, and 29 satellites total, mostly GLONASS-M. GLONASS-K is to undergo "flight-testing" with it's date of entry into service delayed to an unspecified amount of time. Meanwhile 8 more GLONASS-M are being manufactured right now, with launch times within the next few years, to make sure there is no gap between M and K service periods.

 

[Todjaeger]

Thought you might be interested in the update... with 3 more GLONASS-M satellites launching early December (what happened to GLONASS-K?!), it will give us 8 satellites operating in 3 planes, with 1-2 spare satellites in each plane for a total of 24 operational, and 29 satellites total, mostly GLONASS-M. GLONASS-K is to undergo "flight-testing" with it's date of entry into service delayed to an unspecified amount of time. Meanwhile 8 more GLONASS-M are being manufactured right now, with launch times within the next few years, to make sure there is no gap between M and K service periods.

It looks like the launch failed. I do not know for certain if this was the launch you were referring to, but it seems likely. If I understand the situation correctly, these three lost were to provide a 'complete' constellation of 24 satellites. Given that the typically desired number for total coverage and redundancy is ~36 satellites, it appears Russia has fallen further behind.

-Cheers

 

[Feanor]

The satellites apparently crashed into the Pacific. It's unlikely they'll be able to schedule another launch until next year.

 

[Haavarla]

When did this take place?

 

[Feanor]

Literally in the last 24-48 hours.

 

[Feanor]

To compensate for the loss, the 1 GLONASS-K that was supposed to get launched for flight testing in December (apparently that launch never got cancelled) will instead join the existing constellation. Also the two reserve GLONASS-M satellites will join the active constellation. Another GLONASS-M satellite is being rushed to completion, with it to be launched 3-4 months from now. So the total by the end of the year will be 23 satellites, with 0 in reserve, and one of them a GLONASS-K.

 

[T.C.P]

Hey guys there's no mention of the Mig-35 in this report at all
Russian Air Force to procure 1,500 new aircraft by 2020 | Defense | RIA Novosti

 

[Feanor]

Indeed. Though this article also neglects to mention the MiG-35, MiG-29K, and even the PAK-FA.

 

[T.C.P]

True. But isn't the Mig-29K suppose to be for the navy, this report was only for the Airfprce and not the Naval air arm. I suppose there isn't any mention of the PAK-FA as Russia will probably start mass production afer 2020.

No mention of the Mig-35 makes me wonder if the life of this fulcrum is totally dependant on the out come of India's MRCA

 

[Feanor]

The PAKFA is supposed to be purchased in 10 units for pre-production testing and transition training, and 60 units in the 2015-2020 timeframe.

You're right on the MiG-29K, but it also ignores the Su-24M2 (which is still being upgraded to), Su-25SM, Su-25UBM and UBK (new builds), as well as the buckets of new and upgraded transport aircraft (from Il-76MD, to Il-476, An-124-150, Il-112, An-70, etc.). In other words it's far from an exhaustive list.

EDIT: The A-50U is also absent.

 

[T.C.P]

Agreed. But I really have not found any recent news about the Mig-35s future, most reports just mention the MRCA and that the fighter is still in development.

 

[Feanor]

Agreed. But I really have not found any recent news about the Mig-35s future, most reports just mention the MRCA and that the fighter is still in development.

The Zhuk-AE is only slated to begin flight testing next year. I believe the avionics are still being worked on as well. I wouldn't be surprised if large parts of the avionics on it are similar with the PAK-FA and Su-35S. The fighter is far from production ready.

 

[T.C.P]

I have a question doesn't the fact that the Mig-35 is far from production state put it at a disadvantage in the MRCA where the Typhoons, Rafales and the Hornets are already production ready?