Maybe they are just going to use the MiG-1.44 prototype to test certain technology or avionics later to be used on the PAK-FA. There are plenty of reports that the total burden of the PAK-Fa would be shared between the three main fighter design bureaux (Sukhoi, Yakovlev and MiG).

This could be just MiG’s addition to the PAK FA, and offcourse its a good reason for RSK MiG to boost their ability to produce and fly a very advanced aircraft like the MiG-1.44 I would love to see it fly with actual Al-41 instead of the D-30s

Art: please correct me if I’m wrong (which I probably am) but the WIGE craft can also fly across land as well can’t they? Much the same as a very high floating hovercraft or a very low flying plane!

Yes given that the land should be flat, the dynamic air cusion should not be disrupted. The C class WIGs can fly outside the groundeffect, 14M1P should be such a WIG. The KM, Orlyonk and Lun could fly over less flat terrains, like snow.

THat the funny part,

fuel economics during cruise flight are way lower then for the avarge aircraft of its size, and do keep in mind that the KM was the largest and heaviest thing that ever flew of its time, with a MTOW of around 540 tonnes. It was kept flying with only two engines, while the 8 engines up front where only used as take off boosters

But don’t buy the Red Star series book on Ekranoplanes, not worth it. (IMHO).

KM Chrashed, due to pilot error.
Hun is somewhere rusting away.

Anyway, the Not Invented Here syndrome is not the only factor that is compromising its development. The Navy doesn’t catogorises it as aircraft and the Air Force says its a boat. This there is lots and lots of political fighting on whos budget the crafts should be build. In the end of it all the Navy preferred large missle cruisers and that aircraft carrier to be the future of the Soviet Navy. The Airforce never wanted them in the first place.

Ka-32’s in Korea are quite a normal thing, so don’t belong in this thread. Up to 32 have been delivered, with an additional contract signed some time ago IIRC/

smells like opposition trying to bring Bob even further in discredit, I wholehartly support that cause. But I doubt that there has been an actual order.

sharp eyes everyone. But might I suggest the MiG-29UBT is most likely to be upgraded in Nizhy Novograd plant, because I do seem to recall that they were the largest contractor in that deal. So that would leave the MiG-29M2 as most likely candidate.

ghe ghe

I voted for Transparant Europe

It is a new party lead by a guy who was responsible (at least for a rather large part of it) for the downfall of the previous european commision.

But for the record, voting for Europe is like begging for water in the a deserted place in the desert, doesn’t influence shít. Its not like the parlement has real power to do something. Also for the record, I do like the idea of a more unified Europe, because I do think its needed in a more globalised world, but I wish all those bureaucrats who make up silly rules would dissapear. Why can’t you vote for european parties in the european elections?