The Mikoyan Project 1.44

An experimental multirole fighter concept developed in the final years of the Soviet Union. It was intended to match the capabilities of emerging Western jets and serve as a future backbone for both air superiority and strike roles. But as the USSR collapsed in the early 1990s, the program was stalled and eventually shelved. Years later, Russia revisited the idea under the newly formed MiG 1.42/1.44 label, managing to build and fly a prototype in 2000. It was a proof of concept, showing off reduced radar visibility, canard-delta shaping, and some advanced avionics work, but it wasn’t enough to push the project forward.

Despite the test flight and public unveiling, the program was quietly shut down not long after. Russia didn’t have the funding or industrial support to carry it into full development, and attention shifted to other efforts with more backing. The 1.44 became more of a stepping stone than a finished product, offering engineers a chance to explore new design directions during a difficult period. While it never entered service, its influence carried over into later fighter programs, marking an important if short-lived chapter in post-Soviet aviation.

Flight Controls:
• Pitch - Pitch
• Roll - Roll
• Yaw - N/A
• Trim - Trim
• VTOL - N/A

Activation Groups:
• Activation group 1 = N/A
• Activation group 2 = Drag Chute
• Activation group 3 = N/A
• Activation group 4 = Canard Controls
• Activation group 5 = N/A
• Activation group 6 = N/A
• Activation group 7 = N/A