Russians certainly have a flair for the dramatic and an overdeveloped imagination. The MiG-41, also known as the PAK DP, is a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet Russia is supposedly developing. It intends to replace the aging MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors and compete with NATO’s F-35.
Russia is well aware that the United States has been developing a sixth-generation fighter.
Not to be outdone, of course, the Russian concept aircraft is light years ahead of anything that the US or China has. So here is what Russia “claims” the aircraft will be capable of.
Russian Claims About MiG-41 Specs
The MiG-41, which has a turbo-ramjet engine, is designed to reach speeds of up to Mach 4 to 4.3 (3,068- 3,452 mph), making it one of the fastest aircraft ever developed.
The aircraft uses advanced materials and technologies to reduce its radar visibility, making it very stealthy.
The MiG-41 is designed to intercept and shoot down hypersonic missiles and weapons. It uses anti-missile lasers and can operate in near-space environments and destroy satellites.
Russian reports claim the PAK DP (Prospective Air Complex for Long-Range Interception) project is a program to develop the next generation of stealth interceptor aircraft. However, finding good information about the Russian PAK DP program is challenging.
Right now, it only exists as a concept drawing. However, Migflug reports not much is known about it because “it is so very secret.” Reports out of Bulgarian Military stated in 2023 that it was slated for its first flight that year and to enter service in two-to-three years. Hmm.
Is Russia Skipping A Generation?
Russia decided to skip the fifth-generation fighters and go straight to the sixth, although they claim that the MiG-41 “is 5++, possibly even sixth-generation” aircraft. The Su-57 was ostensibly a fifth-generation stealth fighter.
They built a dozen, and about a third of those crashed. Now, they use them so timidly in Ukraine, limited to firing long-range missiles from inside Russia, showing a risk-averse approach, demonstrating how little stealth it has. China, Russia’s ally of convenience, ridiculed the Su-57 at an air show in China, where many non-stealth properties were visible.
Ukrainian radar picked up a Su-57 over Crimea, being escorted by a fleet of Su-35s. If it is so stealthy, then why does it need an escort? India was originally part of the Su-57 program but pulled out in 2018 because the jet “…does not meet its requirements for stealth, combat avionics, radars, and sensors.”
Su-57 Felon. Image Credit: Screengrab from X.
Design Challenges
The Russians are touting ultimate stealth, which they don’t currently have the capability for. There is even talk of an electromagnetic cannon, but these capabilities don’t exist anywhere. At speeds close to hypersonic, the heat generated by air friction will seriously deteriorate any stealth coatings that they may have.
The propulsion system for an aircraft to fly at such speeds doesn’t exist. And again, Russia doesn’t have the rubles to pay for such research and development.
The artist’s renderings, which are all that exist, closely resemble American-designed sixth-generation renderings in the front of the aircraft. In contrast, the aft portion of the aircraft looks remarkably similar to an F-35.
U.S. Air Force Major Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning ll Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies during sunset over Mathers Airport, Calif., Sept. 24th, 2021, at the California Capital Airshow. The team consists of approximately 15 total Airmen to include the pilot and commander, pilot safety officers, superintendent, team chief, maintenance Airmen, aircrew flight equipment specialists, and public affairs personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)
The war with Ukraine has hit Russia’s economy hard, and many of the components and materials needed to build its aircraft need to be purchased from the West. The country doesn’t have the budget to build enough of the aircraft already in service, never mind developing and testing new designs.
So, will this concept design even have a prototype to look over, or will it be like so much Russian bluster with nothing to back it up?
Numbers, Russians Love Numbers But Don’t Have Them Here
When you think of Russia, you think of sheer numbers, the steppes during World War II, with masses of tanks thundering across the snow, while handfuls of German tanks were helpless in trying to stop them.
This is the opposite. Their aviation assets are aging, and the vaunted Su-57 is only about a dozen strong. The Felon is too reliant on components blocked by Western sanctions. They can’t mass produce these. They are building aircraft in single digits a year.
How will that stand up to hundreds of NATO F-35s that the US and its allies are all buying now. By 2030, Lockheed Martin expects that at least 535 F-35s will be operating in Europe by partners. That isn’t counting the US aircraft. How many Su-57s will be available?
So, the Russians are now touting the MiG-41. Alexander Tarnaev at the Russian State Duma Defense Committee said during an interview at the Cultural Center of the Russian Armed Forces: “The corresponding decision was taken by the Chief of the General Staff; he has already signed the document to carry out research work on the MiG-41 project.”
This MiG-41 sounds like a wonder weapon—the comments from Putin honks in this piece are hilarious—but I wonder if any will be built. As to the Star Wars numbers this aircraft is supposed to produce, I believe that the Force isn’t very strong with this.
This fantasy aircraft will never fly off the artist’s board.
About the Author
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
