MAKS-2017: Russia’s Combat Aircraft of Tomorrow

Rubric: Russia, Industry, Future

The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) presented a wide range of advanced military, civil and special-purpose aircraft at the MAKS-2017 international airspace show. Among them were T-50 fifth-generation fighter, MiG-35 4++ generation light fighter jet, Be-200 amphibious aircraft, Yak-152 and Yak 130 operational trainers, Il-76MD-90A large transport aircraft and Su-35 flight simulator.

For the first time the company demonstrated MiG-35 multirole light fighter jet outdoors. The plane is currently passing flight trials, upon their completion mass supplies to the Russian Airspace Force will begin.

MiG-35 fighter at MAKS-2017

"MiG-35 is a further development of MiG-29 fighters. The jet has more reliable engines and onboard electronics, as well as longer service life", Sergey Korotkov, UAC’s vice president for innovations told Mil.Today.

At the static exhibit, UAC presented Yak-152 trainer designed for initial flight training of pilots. Visitors of MAKS-2017 watched two specimen of the new airplane, one of them took part in the flight program. Yak-152 is passing tests at the moment; mass production is expected to start in 2018.

Yak-152 operational trainer

Yak-130 is a new-generation two-seat training jet designed for flight practice in any weather conditions against air and land targets. In terms of its operational and maneuvering features, the plane can be compared to up-to-date fighters at subsonic speeds, which makes it possible to train pilots of 4G and 5G aircraft.

The show’s highlight was performance of the Russian Airspace Force aerobatic teams Russian Knights, Swifts and Russian Falcons. Aircrews of T-50, MiG-35, Su-35S, Su-34, SSJ100 and Be-200 demonstrated their skills as well.

UAC’s showroom at MAKS-2017

During the business days, the United Aircraft Corporation held a number of meetings. The talks resulted in agreements on the full-fledged MiG service center, localization of particular systems and units in Kazakhstan, and service maintenance of Malaysian Air Force jets.