Russia is Joining New Trend

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Wingman drones can potentially act as manned fighter jets capability amplifiers, for example, carrying extra weapons, gathering battlefield information and expanding the fighter pilots’ situational awareness. They are a relatively cheap platform that can also fill electronic warfare, strike, and surveillance roles, controlled by a piloted aircraft on their own or as part of a swarm group. 

The US Air Force and Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems developed the XQ-58 Valkyrie, that could fly with US manned fighter jets including the F-35 and F-15EX. China has recently showcased its LJ-1, designed to fly alongside pilots and assist them. 

Now, Russia is joining this trend with its leading aircraft manufacturer claiming that it is developing a new type of an aircraft complex based on high-speed drones that can be used in concert with advanced MiG-35 lightweight fighter jets and other warplanes.

In fact, Russia already demonstrated an unmanned stealth UAV flight along a Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Russia’s MiG Aircraft Corporation said that it has been working on a brand new type of unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that can be embedded with Russia’s most advanced MiG-35 fighter jets.

The design of the new aircraft complex was inspired by high-speed armed drones. The UCAV is expected to have “high combat potential” and be “used within a single system with MiG-35s as well as other aircraft complexes,” the corporation said.

According to rt.com, the Russian military began receiving MiG-35 jets to replace older-generation MiG-29 planes this summer. The first batch of the multi-role fighter aircraft, which passed its first trials in 2017, was delivered to the Russian Air Force in June.

The company confirmed that several MiG-35 jets have been stationed with the Russian military, noting that it is now working to upgrade its MiG-31 fighter, the world’s fastest serving aircraft with a speed of 3,000kph.