MIG-35

[lancer21]

What are the triangular structures for on the base of the radome for the Zhuk-M?

My understanding is they are serrations for RCS reduction.

 

[EmoBirb]

My understanding is they are serrations for RCS reduction.

Very interesting, I wonder why they were not kept (or introduced in other aircraft like the Su-35/Su-30SM. I know different radars and people, still the concept my be worthwhile)

 

[Geo]

According to some information the serial MiG-35s of the VKS (9.41SR/9.47SR) are equipped with "N041" radars.
Are they from NIIP?
Related to N035?
Does anyone know?

 

[ComradeVortex]

According to some information the serial MiG-35s of the VKS (9.41SR/9.47SR) are equipped with "N041" radars.
Are they from NIIP?
Related to N035?
Does anyone know?

"The Russians applied the designation MiG-35 for the first time in 2007 to a fighter offered to India for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement. That variant, the izdeliye 9.61, featured an active electronically scanned array (AESA) Zhuk-AE radar. The MiG-35 lost that competition and no other MiG customer has shown interest in the AESA radar.

Egypt ordered the mechanical slottedarray FGM129S Zhuk-M1SE radar and Russia prefers a similar N041 radar for its MiG-35S, this having more advanced operation modes when compared to the export Zhuk. Nevertheless, the Phazotron-NIIR company continues work on AESA radars and they remain options for future variants of the fighter.

The first FGA29 Zhuk-AE was switched on in the aircraft for the first time in June 2008 — these were the first tests of an AESA fighter radar in Russia ever. The large-aerial version of the radar, the FGA35 Zhuk-AE with a range of 124 miles (200km) compared to 81 miles (130km) for the FGA29, was intended for production aircraft. In 2016, Phazotron- NIIR unveiled another FGA50 Zhuk-AME radar, in which new transceiver modules in LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramics) technology were used. Thanks to this, the antenna is much thinner and lighter."

https://www.keymilitary.com/article/fulcrum-encore

 

[Geo]

"The Russians applied the designation MiG-35 for the first time in 2007 to a fighter offered to India for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement. That variant, the izdeliye 9.61, featured an active electronically scanned array (AESA) Zhuk-AE radar. The MiG-35 lost that competition and no other MiG customer has shown interest in the AESA radar.

Egypt ordered the mechanical slottedarray FGM129S Zhuk-M1SE radar and Russia prefers a similar N041 radar for its MiG-35S, this having more advanced operation modes when compared to the export Zhuk. Nevertheless, the Phazotron-NIIR company continues work on AESA radars and they remain options for future variants of the fighter.

The first FGA29 Zhuk-AE was switched on in the aircraft for the first time in June 2008 — these were the first tests of an AESA fighter radar in Russia ever. The large-aerial version of the radar, the FGA35 Zhuk-AE with a range of 124 miles (200km) compared to 81 miles (130km) for the FGA29, was intended for production aircraft. In 2016, Phazotron- NIIR unveiled another FGA50 Zhuk-AME radar, in which new transceiver modules in LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramics) technology were used. Thanks to this, the antenna is much thinner and lighter."

https://www.keymilitary.com/article/fulcrum-encore

Does Phazotron-NIIR still exist?

 

[ComradeVortex]

Does Phazotron-NIIR still exist?

I think so, under KRET (?), or anyway under Rostec.


After all they were the largest radar manufacturers in the USSR.

 

[Geo]

I think so, under KRET (?), or anyway under Rostec.


After all they were the largest radar manufacturers in the USSR.

There is at least a contact site (under KRET). For a while the web was completely dead.
http://phazotron.com/

 

[ComradeVortex]

There is at least a contact site (under KRET). For a while the web was completely dead.
http://phazotron.com/

That's honestly quite common for most Russian defence related companies strangely.

 

[Squirrel]

From one 'bmpd' article,almost exactly 10 years ago ...

''Основные конкуренты

Помимо ОАО «ГРПЗ» на российском рынке СУВ и БРЛС для многофункциональных авиационных комплексов российских ВВС можно выделить:
- ОАО «НИИП им. В.В. Тихомирова» (в области разработки);
- ОАО «Корпорация «Фазотрон-НИИР» (в области разработки и производства);
- ХК «Ленинец» (в области разработки и производства).

Вхождение ОАО «Корпорация «Фазотрон-НИИР» в состав АО «КРЭТ» способствовало взаимодействию ОАО «ГРПЗ» и ОАО «Корпорация «Фазотрон-НИИР» по вопросам выпуска БРЛС для самолетов «МиГ».

Результаты работы Общества в части приоритетных направлений

В отчетный период ОАО «ГРПЗ» выполнило следующие основные работы по приоритетным направлениям Общества:
• в рамках выполнения ГОЗ изготовлены и поставлены на самолетостроительные заводы изделия Н011М-Р [БРЛС «Барс-Р» с пассивной фазированной антенной решеткой], Ш-135, 4280 [самолетный ответчик], КНЭИ-24 [комплекс навигации и электронной индикации], составные части изделий Н041, Н041Р;
• инозаказчикам изготовлены и поставлены изделия Ш101ВЭП, Н-025Э, FGM129, FGM229, технологические комплекты изделия Н011М;
• выполнены доработки изделия Ш135;
• присвоена литера «О1» изделию Н-025Э [Надвтулочная РЛС для Ми-28Н] ''

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/1394860.html
Transl :

''Main competitors

In addition to JSC "GRPZ" on the Russian market of FCS and the radar for multifunctional aviation complexes of the Russian Air Force, the following can be distinguished:

JSC "V.V. Tikhomirov Research Institute of Instrument Design" (in the field of development);

- JSC "Phazotron-NIIR Corporation" (in the field of development and production);

The entry of Phazotron-NIIR Corporation into KRET JSC facilitated the interaction between GRPZ JSC and Paztron-NIIR Corporation JSC on issues of producing radar systems for MiG aircraft.


Results of the Company's work in terms of priority areas

During the reporting period, JSC "GRPZ" completed the following main works in the Company's priority areas:

• as part of the implementation of the State Defense Order, the following products were manufactured and delivered to aircraft manufacturing plants: N011M-R [Bars-R passive phased array radar], SH-135, 4280 [aircraft transponder], KNEI-24 [navigation and electronic indication system], and components of N041 and N041R products;

• products Sh101VEP, N025E, FGM129, FGM229, technological kits of product N011М were manufactured and delivered to foreign customers;• modifications were made to product Sh135;• the letter "О1" was assigned to product N025E [Sleeve-mounted radar for Mi-28N] ''

It seems there is N041 for the export and N041R for the VKS/MA VMF fighters (MiG-35S/UB and MiG-29K/KUB) .

About that km and km ,km ...

Even old N019 'Rubin' from the beginning of the 80's has max detection/tracking range in the HPRF mode of 150km.In the MPRF mode is 50km and in combat mode known as AVT ( automatic) with HPRF/MPRF combo is 100km.

Then in the middle of the 80's, Moscow's NIIR Phazotron developed and produced N010 'Zhuk' ( for the MiG-29M/K or 9.15 and 9.31), where max detection/tracking range in the HPRF mode was 200km. It was unique radar in one fighter with the electronic/mechanical scanning combo and with flat plannar array.

Btw, NIIR Phazotron was the first developer of the AESA in the USSR. The model of that radar developed for the prototype MFI 1.44 was first publicly shown on MAKS 2001. Some sources wrote that its designation was in fact N014?

 

[Geo]

The MiG-35 is something of a mystery aircraft.

Since 2007 it’s been continuously developed and upgraded, with its avionics configuration evolving over time. Discussions about domestic demand (beyond the six aircraft already delivered) and foreign interest have come and gone in waves.

Now there’s renewed talk of possible export (incl. to North Korea) and of an urgent need within the VKS for a “lightweight,” agile, and cost-effective supersonic fighter. This is particularly relevant in light of the growing threat from drones and cruise missiles. According to available reports both 9.41R/9.47R and 9.41SR/9.47SR are already being deployed for air defense tasks.

Despite all the media skepticism surrounding the MiG brand, the development infrastructure—judging by the latest (2025) documentary —appears to be quite healthy, and the MiG-35 itself looks impressively advanced (especially if equipped with the Zhuk-AM/FGA-50 radar with a larger-diameter antenna). There’s even talk of a next-generation engine to replace the RD-33…

So the question remains: does this aircraft still have a future - especially if the Su-75 ends up moving forward?

 

[Geo]

Something for "Advanced MiG-35"?

 

[publiusr]

Speak of the devil...

 

[Ainen]

Interesting historical note on MiG-35; this is a photo from the 2017 presentation. Back then, MiG was (rightfully) ridiculed for this stores setup; like, what was it supposed to even mean?

Looking at it from 2026, we can say that MiG certainly had some time-travelling employees.

So the question remains: does this aircraft still have a future - especially if the Su-75 ends up moving forward?

One thing to consider here is that there's a significant time lag between the two, especially since MiG aircraft already come with a targeting pod and AESA (meaning, when S-8L will finally come, it's ready from the get-go).

But VKS/MO would really hate to accept they made a mistake back then, though. Especially when it was widely understood as the right decision. Overall, Mig remains a significant loser of the breakup of the Soviet Union and the "peace dividend." Who knows, maybe war and the current drone campaign will lift them back?