In light of the near-failure of the MiG-23 and the barely-acceptable performance of the MiG-27, coupled with the introduction of the Advanced Tactical Surface Fighter project in the USA, the Mikoyam Guluvich design bureau started on a new plan to produce a multi-role Tactical Surface Fighter capable of matching 3rd generation TSF performance standards. The Project 1.42/1.44 was a direct result of that.
Both the 1.42 and 1.44 designs had different frame shaping, with a noted differing performance in unit stealth between the two. Eventually, at least one prototype was built in 1994, gaining the designation of 1.44.
Deployment[]
No other news are available about its deployment other than its initial showcasing in 1994; the 1.42/1.44 did not enter mass-production in any way or form.