"Project 1.44" was launched in the early 1980s as part of the fifth-generation fighter program, which was to have developed the primary Soviet air force tactical fighter to replace the existing fleet of MiG-29s and Su-27s in the 1990s. Changes in Russia’s military doctrine resulted in drastic funding cuts for the 1.44 development program, and the Mikoyan Design Bureau proceeded with the development work on an "in-house program" basis.

While Project 1.44 is not considered as a prototype for the next-generation fighter for Russian Air Forces and Air Defense, the program still is considered as crucial for the future of Russian combat aviation. This is because Project 1.44 brings together a number of new technologies that have yet to be used in Russian military aircraft.

Among the new technologies incorporated in the 1.44 technology demonstration/validation aircraft are supercruise capability, super maneuverability through joint computerized control of aerodynamic surfaces and thrust-vectored nozzles, and significantly reduced radar, IR and visual signatures. New approaches used in the development of the fighter's integrated sensors, weapon control systems and cockpit EFIS also require in-depth testing and further development.

The 1.44 program involves leading Russian design offices and manufacturers for engines, systems and components, including engine specialist Lyulka-Saturn, which developed the AL-41 fifth-generation turbofan engine; MNPO Avionika, designer of unique fly-by-wire flight control system; and MPO Rodina, which developed and launched production of new actuators to control the aerodynamic surfaces of this next-generation aircraft.

The Project 1.44 demonstrator aircraft performed its maiden flight on February 29, 2000 at MiG Corp’s flight test/development facility, located at the Gromov Flight Test Institute in Zhukovsky, southwest of Moscow.