What do we know about the MiG-41, the sixth-generation stealth superfighter that Russia is developing?

Russia’s MiG Corporation may be building a stealth, manned/unmanned jet aircraft that can reach speeds of Mach 5, capable of carrying hypersonic weapons and anti-satellite missiles.

Russia’s MiG corporation may be building a stealth, manned/unmanned jet capable of carrying hypersonic weapons. This aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 5 (6,125 km/h) and carry anti-satellite missiles near the boundary of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Russia develops MiG-41 aircraft to replace MiG-31?

According to site 19fortyfive, the MiG-41 fighter aircraft, also known as PAK DP (Prospective Aviation Complex for Long-Range Interception), is expected to launch at the end of this decade as a 5th generation of MiG Group.

There is currently very little information about the aircraft that Russia is building. The design of the aircraft is expected to be completed in 2019. This could be a 5++ generation stealth fighter interceptor or it could be Russia’s 6th generation being developed to replace fighters. Current MiG-31. Russian press said the MiG-41 may be similar to the 5th generation stealth fighter Su-57 in configuration.

There has been no public launch or display of this aircraft. However, some images or renderings show that the aircraft has a round-wing stealth design, incorporating vertical tail wings unlike those seen on the F-22 and F-35 stealth aircraft of the US. America or Russia’s Su-57.

A 2019 TASS news article included a photo of the plane’s curvaceous fuselage that appeared to stealthily cover the pilot’s cockpit, but few details were provided in the body of the article.

The TASS article quoted the director of the MiG Corporation as saying that the MiG-41 aircraft will use new types of aviation weapons and be created using new stealth technologies.

What new stealth technologies can be used on the MiG-41?

According to 19fortyfive, this question certainly prompts speculation about the US Air Force’s 6th generation aircraft. It could contain new types of radar-absorbing materials, new design configurations, and new sensors. It is possible that this sixth generation aircraft will be supported by artificial intelligence (AI) as well as capable of operating drones.

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Russian and MiG leaders have made it clear that the MiG-41 will eventually replace the MiG-31 in the fighter-interceptor role.

The statement by the MiG executive that the MiG-41 will contain new types of aviation weapons also leaves questions about the new capabilities of this aircraft. An article from militaryaerospace.com speculates that the MiG-41 could operate in near-space environments and perform various types of interception and strike missions.

“The MiG-41 is also capable of carrying anti-satellite missiles and can operate in near-space environments. Some reports even claim this new aircraft can shoot down incoming hypersonic missiles,” the article said.

“Since its announcement in 2018, a few more details about the MiG-41 jet have emerged, including that it will be powered by either a turbojet or a turbojet. vertical, will use stealth technology, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 4 – Mach 4.3 (4,900 km/h – 5,267 km/h), while some reports suggest that it can even reach speeds of Mach 5” – said an article on militaryaerospace.com.

The US military’s plan for 6th generation aircraft

The U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Superiority (NGAD) program will prioritize concepts including “special warfare” and “full-spectrum superiority,” according to the U.S. Fiscal Year 2023 budget request. U.S army.

Initiated in 2014, the US Air Force’s NGAD program aims to build a powerful 6th generation aircraft by the 2030s. NGAD aims to develop several technology areas, including propulsion, stealth and advanced weapons.

Details surrounding the project were very limited in the early stages. Recently the US Air Force released some more details. Accordingly, the US plans to own a fleet of 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 200 stealth fighters under the NGAD program. Highly autonomous UAVs, also known as cooperative combat aircraft (CCA), will operate with 6th generation aircraft and F-35 fighters.