Mig-39M Ferret-C
Mig-39M Ferret-C


This image first appeared in Flight International. This picture or file does not represent in any way the Mig 1.42 project, the policy of the Russian AirForce, or Mikoyan-Gurevich as a whole.


Developed from the MIG 1.42 project, the MIG-39 Ferret emerged from the hangars in 2016, at Zhukovsky airport, on a chilly January night. This marked the CIS's first true stealth fighter. Patterned over the F-19 (later to be the F-117 Nighthawk) Stealth Fighter, the MIG-39 is more rounded than the F-117, but not sacrificing capability. Like the F-1117, the MIG-39 was sculpted to allow low RCS (Radar Cross Section) in all aspects. The Ferret A served briefly in the Euro-Wars, doing limited attacks on German supply depots, command HQs, etc. After the war, the Ferrets went back into storage and left to stay there. However, with the increase of the Megacorps in general, the Russian Air Force slowly began modernizing their old Ferret A's and B's to current technology. Updated avionics previously described were added, as well as the addition of rigger control gear. The HUD was also updated, as well as other minor things. After this, the Ferret C and D became potent fighter aircraft.
In the nose is mounted a laser designator, as well as a N044 radar system for radar guided AAMs. This can track up to 25 targets, and allow engagement up to 10 simultaneously. Mounted in the front is a 39-Sh IRST system. This is similar to the ones mounted on other aircraft. The laser designator is mounted on the underside, with a small port to allow the beam to radiate. This is similar in function to TIALD systems, providing excellent laser designation for bombs or other weapons. The designator can also be linked to the HMS the pilot wears. However, the panning limit is 270 degrees around the plane, and can only depress from -3 degrees to 90 degrees, or if the pilot can see the target. Other functions to help the pilot is an automatic terrain following system, which takes data from orbiting satellites, allowing efficient low level attacks.
It also can operate from rough fields, enhancing it's capability, allowing it to be deployed from standard airbases, to reduce the chance of destruction. Aside from the radar defeating materials, other things were considered, such as the aural and thermal output that planes make. The rear engines have a blower that blows cool air as the plane flies to mix it in with the hot gas of the burned fuel. The intakes for the blower have anti-FOD screens to prevent birds or other things from entering it and severely damage them. To reduce it's audio signature, acoustic absorbing materials are placed near the engines as well near most moving equipment, such as the bay doors, and the wheels. The engines as well can operate at supercruise, allowing the Mig-39M to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburner, as well as incorporating three dimensional thrust vectoring for enhanced maneuverability.
The main difference and concept from the F-22 and the then known Mig 1.42 was that the F-22 was designed for air dominance (but could carry two JDAM GPS guided bombs as well, which constituted it’s "attack" capability), and the 1.42 was designed for both ground attack and air superiority, hence the name of MFI (Mnogofunktsionalny Frontovoi Istrebitel) or Multifunctional Frontline Fighter. The roles included precision strike, and SEAD roles, as well as strike missions.
The Ferret has two internal bays for carrying weaponry. Both bays can carry most missiles, with an additional rail for a self defense missile in each bay. The plane has the capability to carry up to a Kh-238 size missile, one per bay. However, external pylons may be installed on the wings, four per wing, with the outermost usually reserved for self defense missiles.