MOSCOW. Dec 13 (Interfax-AVN) - The development of a new interceptor jet to replace Mikoyan MiG-31 may begin as early as next year, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) General Designer and Vice-President for Innovations, Sergei Korotkov, told Interfax.
"The works are likely to begin in 2018. I very much hope so. Everything will depend on the release of the principal document, the state armament program," Korotkov said, answering Interfax's question about when research-and-development works might start in the Mikoyan MiG-41 project.
The developer (MiG Corporation) and the Russian Defense Ministry are discussing the technical assignment, he said.
"Most importantly, [the client's] requirements should agree with the scope of funding," Korotkov said.
The new interceptor may be capable of operating in outer space, he said.
"If they tell us [to operate] in outer space, we will make the outer space [modification]," he said.
For now, the technical requirements should be reconciled with the program budget, Korotkov said.
As reported earlier, the prospective long-range interceptor will replace the Mikoyan MiG-31 jet commissioned in 1981.