The Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound is a supersonic interceptor fighter designed in 1975 to replace the Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat.
Description[]
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 service, 10 to be refurbished.
- Russia
- Russian Air Force 286 in service, 100 in reserve.
- Russian Naval Aviation
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[]
- 1× 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
- 4× R-60 Aphid or
- 4× R-73 Archer short-range IR missiles, or
- 4× 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[]
- Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat
- McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle
The original article can be found at Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound and the edit history here.