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The Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound is a supersonic interceptor fighter designed in 1975 to replace the Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat.

Description[]

Mig31-7

MiG-31 of the Russian Air Force

Despite being labeled as an 'improved Foxbat' in reality the MiG-31 is a completely new aircraft, with greater capability than the MiG-25; although its maximum speed is reduced to keep from red lining and potentially damaging its engines. The development of the MiG-31 began in the mid-1970s and by September 16, 1975 the first prototype flew.It was initially designed to intercept the Mach 3 capable XB-70 Valkyrie and other strategic bombers before the can deliver their payload.

The West first became aware of the MiG-31 when Viktor Belenko mentioned a 'Super Foxbat' while being debriefed following his defection in 1976.

Operators[]

Current Operators[]

Kazakhstan
  • Kazakhstan Air Force has 33 in ser
    Kazakhstan mig31

    Rear view of a Kazakh MiG-31

    vice, 10 to be refurbished.
Russia

Possible Operators[]

Syria
  • Syrian Air Force ordered eight MiG-31E aircraft in 2007. However, the order has been suspended in May 2009 reportedly either due to Israeli pressure or lack of Syrian funds.

Former operators[]

Soviet Union
  • Soviet Anti-Air Defence
  • Soviet Air Force aircraft passed on to Russia and Kazakhstan in 1991

Specifications[]

General Characteristics[]

  • Crew: Two (pilot and weapons system officer)
  • Length: 22.69 m (74 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 61.6 m² (663 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 21,820 kg (48,100 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 41,000 kg (90,400 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 46,200 kg (101,900 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofans
    • Dry thrust: 93 kN (20,900 lbf) each
    • Thrust with afterburner: 152 kN (34,172 lbf) each

Performance[]

  • Maximum speed:
    • High altitude: Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/h, 1,860 mph)
    • Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)
  • Combat radius: 720 km (450 mi) at Mach 2.35
  • Ferry range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)
  • Service ceiling: 20,600 m (67,600 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 208 m/s (41,000 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 665 kg/m² (136 lb/ft²)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.85
  • Maximum g-load: 5 g

Armament[]

  • GSh-6-23 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds.
  • Fuselage recesses for 4× R-33 Amos or (for MiG-31M/BM only) ×6 R-37 Arrow long-range air-to-air missiles.
  • Four underwing pylons for a combination of:
  • two R-40 Acrid medium-range missiles, and
  • R-60 Aphid or
  • R-73 Archer short-range IR missiles, or
  • R-77 Adder medium-range missiles.
  • Some aircraft are equipped to launch the Kh-31 Krypton and Kh-58 Kilter anti-radiation missiles in the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) role.

See also[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound and the edit history here.

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