MIG 1.44 project

The 1.44 was Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau's entry to Russia's Многофункциональный Фронтовой Истребитель (Mnogofounksionalni Frontovoi Istrebitel — Multifunctional Frontline Fighter) program (a development program that originated in the 1986,[2] similar to the United States' Advanced Tactical Fighter program). It was designed to compete with the American Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Many of its design features are similar to those found on 4.5 generation Western fighters, including supercruise  ability and modern avionics. The 1.44 served mainly as a technological showcase and testbed for future aircraft designs, not as an actual air superiority fighter prototype.

The MiG 1.44 programme has been shrouded in mystery throughout the course of its existence. The Russian government cancelled the MFI program in 1997 due to its unacceptably high unit cost (Ф2.05 billion RUR, US$70 million). Development continued, with the first test flight taking place on February 29, 2000[2] and two confirmed test flights in 2001. Despite the non-production status of the 1.44/1.42, NATO assigned it the reporting name "Flatpack".[3]

After the cancellation of the MFI program the PAK FA (Перспективный Авиационный Комплекс Фронтовой Авиации — Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi — Prospective Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program was initiated in order to develop an advanced air superiority fighter to fill a role similar to that of the F-22, and at cost similar to that of the F-35 Lightning II. In 2001, India agreed with Russia to make the PAK FA program a development/production joint-venture between the two nations. Both Mikoyan and Sukhoi submitted concepts to the Defense Ministry for the PAK FA program (MiG entering an updated Project 1.44). The Russian Defense Ministry selected the Sukhoi Design Bureau as the primary contractor for the PAK FA fighter. MiG-MAPO and Yakovlev have also been mentioned as secondary contractors. The MiG 1.44 formerly served as a technology demonstrator for the PAK FA program. The in-development PAK FA aircraft will use the same in-development Lyulka AL-41F engine planned for the 1.44.