RSK MiG"s fortunes improve

Published: 3/2/2000

Nikitin honoured with award/ Nikolai Nikitin, General Director of RSK MiG has been awarded Distinguished Designer Citation by Russia"s acting President, Vladimir Putin. Rostislav Belyakov, Director and Nikolai Matyuk, General Designer, were also presented with decorations for their outstanding contributions to Russia"s aviation industry. This is the second award this year for Nikitin. In January, he received the Tsioljovsky Star, the Russia"s Aerospace Agency"s highest decoration. Nikitin played a prominent role in developing and testing the Su-37 and its modifications. Such recognition comes at a critical time for Nikitin. Criticised last autumn for his plans to diversify MiG"s production and focus into civilian aircraft, his nadir came as a number of his leading designers defected to Russian Avionics (RA). Now, a combination of renewed political interest in the aviation sector and, in particular, more military funding, which should protect the retained MiG-29 and MiG-31 programmes, together with the recent cancellation of RA"s licences, suggest that the tables have turned in his favour. This latest honour certainly indicates Putin"s support and it seems highly likely that the recalcitrant designers will return to the MiG fold. Associated article: www.concise.org. 2nd December 1999

Article ID: 1501