Come on Rii.
The obj 30 will not be in the same class as F135.
Don’t eat everything that comes out from UEC, etc.
I’m assuming that it will deliver around 35,000lb of thrust, anything more is a bonus.
Russia would have to settle for a smaller singel engine vs F135.
Which is a good thing. A smaller (and single-engine) aircraft is a cheaper aircraft with better export prospects.
VKS could do with a twin engine fighter ala Mig-35 class but they surly don’t need it to cover their requirement and future threat challanges.
On the contrary, the MiG-35 is a waste of time that only exists for industrial purposes. The difference between it and the Flanker series is not significant enough to justify all the additional resources required to develop and operate it. Take all the money poured into developing MiG-35 systems and put it into further development of the Flanker platform and everyone (except MiG corporation) would be much better off.
So how much will the initial R/D bill be
Less for a design that uses AL-41 than one that also has to develop a new engine, that’s for sure.
To reiterate, I don’t think Russia really needs a smaller aircraft either. But if one is going to be developed it should minimise development, acquisition and operating costs whilst maximising differentiation from T-50 series and export competitors. And that means a single AL-41 powerplant.
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