Mikoyan MiG-AT

The design effort on the MiG-AT began when Soviet authorities looked to replace the country's ageing fleet of Aero L-29 and L-39 military trainer aircraft. The project competed with proposals from the design bureaux of Sukhoi, Myasishchev and Yakovlev; in 1992, the designs of the two former firms were eliminated, leaving the MiG-AT and Yak-130 as the sole contenders for a government contract. Due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent fall in defence spending, Mikoyan entered into collaboration with French firms Snecma/Turbomeca and Sextant Avionique (later Thales Avionics), who would provide the aircraft engines and avionics, respectively.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2002/2002%20-%201637.html|title=Directory: military aircraft|journal=Flight International|location=London |publisher=Reed Business Information|date=28 May – 3 June 2002 |issue=4833|volume=161|page=63|issn=0015-3710}}

Following the freezing of the MiG-AT's final design in early 1994, the Moscow Aircraft Production Association (MAPO) started fabricating the first prototype. The two companies, which would merge in 1995 to form MAPO-MiG, used their own funds for the construction of the aircraft.{{Cite journal|last=Rybak|first=Boris|title=Russian in Final Phase of Trainer Competition|journal=Aviation Week & Space Technology|volume=141|issue=10|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=5 September 1994|pages=142, 145, 147|issn=0005-2175}} The first MiG-AT (81 White) was rolled out in May 1995, before it was transferred to Zhukovsky, where it made a short initial "hop" in early March 1996. Its official first flight, however, took place on 21 March 1996, when Roman Taskayev took the aircraft aloft for 45 minutes, accompanied by a MiG-29UB and an L-39 acting as chase planes.{{Cite journal|last1=Novichkov|first1=Nikolai|last2=Sparaco|first2=Pierre|title=MiG-AT Enters Flight Test|journal=Aviation Week & Space Technology|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=15 April 1996|pages=44–45|volume=144|issue=16|issn=0005-2175}}{{rp|44}} The aircraft reached a height of {{Convert|4,000|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} and a speed of {{Convert|400|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{Cite journal|title=MiG-AT Trainer Completes First Flight|journal=Aviation Week & Space Technology|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=1 April 1996|page=21|volume=144|issue=14|issn=0005-2175}} The second prototype joined the flight test programme in October 1997; by then, the first aircraft had accumulated more than 200 test flights.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1997/1997%20-%203071.html|title=News in Brief|journal=Flight International|location=London |publisher=Reed Business Information|volume=152|issue=4600|date= 12–18 November 1997|page=23|issn=0015-3710}}{{Cite journal|last=Fricker|first=John|title=New Russian Engine Specified for MiG-AT|journal=Aviation Week & Space Technology|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=8 September 1997|page=60|issn=0005-2175}} Mikoyan had originally planned to conduct the test programme using three flying prototypes and a static aircraft and also to construct about fifteen additional aircraft for its joint international marketing effort with Snecma.{{rp|45}}

The MiG-AT is more conventional than the competing Yak-130. It has a low-set, straight wing, engines mounted on either side of the fuselage and a mid-mounted tail. The first aircraft had avionics that had been jointly developed by Sextant Avionique and GosNIIAS that was derived from prior French software. The avionics system comprised multi-function liquid crystal displays, a head-up display and other navigation systems, some of which used commercial technology to shorten development time.{{rp|45}} The avionics systems, when working with the MiG-AT's fly-by-wire flight-control system, allowed the aircraft to adopt the characteristics of third- and fourth-generation jet fighters. The second prototype differed from the first in having Russian avionics and hardpoints for the carriage of armament.

File:MiG-AT at MAKS-2007 airshow.jpg

The aircraft is powered by two Snecma-Turbomeca Larzac 04R20 turbofan engines, rated at {{Convert|3,175|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}, that had been developed in the 1970s for the Alpha Jet. Under a 1995 agreement between French and Russian authorities, the Russian side reserved the right to locally produce and develop a higher thrust derivative of the engine.{{rp|45}} In November 1996, a contract was signed for the production of ten Larzac engines for the initial pre-production aircraft, which did not come into fruition. At the same time, the {{ill|Soyuz Design Bureau|ru|Авиамоторный научно-технический комплекс «Союз»}} was working on a Russian alternative to the Larzac, named the {{ill|RD-1700|ru|РД-1700}}, rated at {{Convert|3,750|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} at take-off. Both aircraft prototypes later served as a separate test beds for the RD-1700 and NPO Saturn AL-55I engine.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.npo-saturn.ru/index_s1.php?rssid=1224074521&sat=6&slang=1|title=Flight tests of the AL-55I engine developed by NPO Saturn on the MiG-AT training aircraft are successfully going on|publisher=NPO Saturn|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030946/http://www.npo-saturn.ru/index_s1.php?rssid=1224074521&sat=6&slang=1 |archivedate=29 November 2014 }}{{Cite news|url=https://iz.ru/news/431318|script-title=ru:Самолет МиГ-АТ опробовал турбореактивный двигатель|date=29 July 2008|newspaper=Izvestia|language=Russian|accessdate=26 July 2018}}

As the tender for a military trainer progressed, operational experience in the air force and pressure from foreign participating companies shifted the original requirements for a purely trainer aircraft to one that encompassed a light combat capability.{{rp|21}} In mid-March 2002, Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov stated that the Yak-130 had been chosen over the MiG-AT as the air force's new trainers,{{Cite journal|last=Butowski|first=Piotr|title=Russian military trainer strategy falls into place|journal=Interavia Business & Technology|publisher=Aerospace Media Publishing|date=May 2002|volume=57|issue=663|issn=1423-3215|pages=20–23}}{{rp|21}} only for the media to subsequently report that both aircraft had been chosen.{{Cite journal|last=Komarov|first=Alexey|title=Russia Picks MiG-AT, Yak-130 in Trainer Bid|journal=Aviation Week & Space Technology|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=8 April 2002|page=40|issn=0005-2175}}{{Cite news|last=Pronina|first=Lyuba|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-51765605.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924181339/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-51765605.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=MiG, Yak to Split Training Craft Deal|newspaper=The Moscow Times|date=1 April 2002|accessdate=22 August 2015}} The Yak-130, however, was said to be superior as it could serve the dual role of a trainer and combat jet,{{Cite news|last=Pronina|first=Lyuba|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-51930006.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924181346/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-51930006.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=French Tout MiG-AT Partnership|newspaper=The Moscow Times|date=8 April 2002|accessdate=22 August 2015}} and in the end, on 10 April 2002, it was announced that the Yak-130 had indeed been selected over the MiG-AT.{{cite journal|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/Yakovlev-Yak-130-Russian-Federation.html|title=Yakovlev Yak-130 (Russian Federation), Aircraft – Fixed-wing – Civil/military|journal=Jane's All the World's Aircraft|date=20 July 2010}} Mikoyan protested the decision, in particular the expanded requirements for a lightweight combat trainer, and the weapons load requirement that was apparently too great for such physically-inadequate designs.{{rp|23}} By then, the two prototypes had amassed 750 flights.

An aspect of the Mikoyan's original 1993 agreement with the French companies was that the latter would assist in the marketing of the MiG-AT outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).{{rp|45}} In particular, the agreement was intended to add credibility to the project,{{Cite news|last=Neher |first=Jacques |title=MiG: In From the Cold But Snecma Link Adds to West's Woes |newspaper=International Herald Tribune |date=12 June 1993 |page=9}} and to draw on Snecma's international business network. Aside from the CIS, Russia would market the aircraft to countries that had traditionally purchased the country's aircraft, including India and Malaysia.{{rp|45}} The aircraft was demonstrated to officials and pilots of such countries as Algeria, Greece, India and the United Arab Emirates.{{rp|21}} Despite the loss in 2002 to the Yakovlev design, Mikoyan proceeded with discussions with prospective overseas partners and continuing flight-test programme. In February 2004, the design received its Russian military certification, and it was expected that Algeria would be the first to place an order for the aircraft.{{Cite journal| url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200019.html |title=RSK MiG near to deal with Algeria|journal=Flight International |location=London |publisher=Reed Business Information |issue=4925 |volume=165 |date=16–22 March 2004 |page=17 |issn=0015-3710}}

In June 2018, vice president of the United Aircraft Corporation Sergei Korotkov announced the Russian Defence Ministry is considering a revival of the program and possibility of using the aircraft as a main platform for base training of pilots. Further, it was reported by Viktor Bondarev if the decision is taken, the aircraft may be introduced to the Russian Air Force in 2023.{{cite news|url=http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5335490|script-title=ru:Производство самолета МиГ-АТ может быть возобновлено в России|agency=TASS|language=Russian|date=29 June 2018|accessdate=7 July 2018}}

UAC announced in December 2023 that it plans to build a new training complex, the main element of which will be the new single-engine MiG-UTS aircraft, which is a spiritual successor of MiG-AT.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-28 |title=Разработка нового учебно-тренировочного самолета МиГ-УТС началась в России |url=https://rg.ru/2023/12/28/razrabotka-novogo-uchebno-trenirovochnogo-samoleta-mig-uts-nachalas-v-rossii.html |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Российская газета |language=ru}}

• MiG-AT – two-seat basic military trainer variant.
• MiG-AC – proposed single-seat combat variant with shortened fuselage.{{rp|45}}{{Cite news|last=Zhiharev|first=Sergey|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/129386|script-title=ru:Сотрудничество ВПК России и Франции|newspaper=Kommersant|language=Russian|date=23 March 1996|page=4|accessdate=22 July 2018}}
• MiG-ATC – proposed trainer/light combat variant of the baseline MiG-AT with helmet-mounted target designation system for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.{{rp|45}}

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{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004,{{Cite book|last=Jackson |first=Paul |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004|pages=387–388|location=Coulsdon, UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |year=2003|isbn=0-7106-2537-5}} airforce-technology.com,{{Cite web|url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mig-at/| title=MiG-AT Advanced Flight and Combat Trainer Aircraft |publisher=Airforce-technology |accessdate=26 July 2018}}

|prime units?=met

|crew=2

|length m=12.01

|length note=

|span m=10.16

|span note=

|height m=4.42

|height note=

|wing area sqm=17.67

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=4610

|gross weight note=(training)

|max takeoff weight kg=7800

|max takeoff weight note=(combat)

|fuel capacity={{cvt|2390|L|USgal impgal}}

|more general=

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-R-20

|eng1 type=turbofan engines

|eng1 kn=14.4

|eng1 note=

|max speed kmh=1000

|max speed note=at {{cvt|2500|m|0}}

|max speed mach=0.81

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed note=

|minimum control speed kmh=

|minimum control speed note=

|range km=1200

|range note=

|combat range km=

|combat range note=

|ferry range km=2000

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling m=14000

|ceiling note=

|g limits=+8

|roll rate=

|climb rate ms=81.7

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|thrust/weight=

|more performance=

|guns=UPK-23 gun pod for Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 autocannon

|hardpoints=9

|hardpoint capacity=up to {{convert|2000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of stores

|hardpoint rockets=

• UB-16 rocket pods for S-5 rockets
• UB-8M rocket pods for S-8 rockets

|hardpoint missiles=

• Air-to-air missiles:
• R-73E
• R-77
• AIM-9L Sidewinder
• R.550 Magic
• Air-to-surface missiles:
• Kh-29TD
• Anti-ship missiles:
• Kh-31AE
• Anti-radiation missiles:
• Kh-31PE
• Anti-tank missiles:
• 9K121 Vikhr

|hardpoint bombs=up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs

|avionics=

}}

{{Portal|Russia|Aviation}}

{{aircontent|

|related=

|similar aircraft=

• EADS Mako/HEAT
• Hongdu L-15
• Sukhoi S-54 – although single-engined it was entered into the same UTS (new generation jet trainer) design competition
• Yakovlev Yak-130 – selected UTS design
• KB SAT SR-10 - a competing single-engine light trainer from the KB SAT design bureau

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{aviation.ru}}

{{Commons category|Mikoyan MiG-AT}}

• https://web.archive.org/web/20031002061449/http://aviation.ru/MiG/#AT
• [http://english.pravda.ru/photo/report/mig-2250 MiG-AT - Photo gallery on Pravda.Ru]

{{Mikoyan aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

Mig-AT

Category:1990s Russian military trainer aircraft

Category:Twinjets

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1996

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear