The Mikoyan MiG-31 (russian: link=no, Микоян МиГ-31;
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are code names for military equipment from Russia, China, and historically, the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and other nations of the Warsaw Pact). They provide unambiguous and easily understood English words in a uniform manne ...
: Foxhound) is a supersonic
interceptor aircraft
An interceptor aircraft, or simply interceptor, is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically for the defensive interception role against an attacking enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Aircraft that are cap ...
that was developed for use by the
Soviet Air Forces
The Soviet Air Forces ( rus, Военно-воздушные силы, r=Voyenno-vozdushnyye sily, VVS; literally "Military Air Forces") were one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces. The Air Forces ...
. The aircraft was designed by the
Mikoyan
Russian Aircraft Corporation "MiG" (russian: Российская самолётостроительная корпорация „МиГ“, Rossiyskaya samolyotostroitel'naya korporatsiya "MiG"), commonly known as Mikoyan and MiG, was a Russi ...
design bureau as a replacement for the earlier
MiG-25 "Foxbat"; the MiG-31 is based on and shares design elements with the MiG-25.
The MiG-31 is among the fastest combat jets in the world. It continues to be operated by the
Russian Air Force
" Air March"
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 12 August
, equipment =
, equipment_label =
, battles =
, decorations =
, bat ...
and the
Kazakh Air Force
, image = Coa vvsrk.svg
, image_size = 200px
, caption = Emblem of the Kazakh Air Defence Forces
, start_date =
, country =
, allegi ...
following the end of the
Cold War
The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...
and the
collapse of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union, also negatively connoted as rus, Разва́л Сове́тского Сою́за, r=Razvál Sovétskogo Soyúza, ''Ruining of the Soviet Union''. was the process of internal disintegration within the Sov ...
in 1991. The Russian Defence Ministry expects the MiG-31 to remain in service until 2030 or beyond; that was confirmed in 2020 when an announcement was made to extend the service lifetime from 2,500 to 3,500 hours on the existing airframes.
Development
Origins
The single-seat MiG-25 could achieve high speed, altitude and rate of climb; however, it lacked maneuverability at interception speeds and was difficult to fly at low altitudes. The MiG-25's speed was normally limited to
Mach 2.83, but it could reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.2 or more with the risk of engine damage.
![Russian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31BM Pichugin-1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Russian_Air_Force_Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-31BM_Pichugin-1.jpg)
Development of the MiG-25's replacement began with the Ye-155MP (russian: link=no, Е-155МП)
prototype
A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototyp ...
which first flew on 16 September 1975.
[Eden 2004, p. 323.] Although it bore a superficial resemblance to the MiG-25, it had a longer fuselage to accommodate the radar operator's cockpit and was in many respects a new design. An important development was the MiG-31's advanced radar, capable of both look-up and
look-down/shoot-down A radar system has look-down/shoot-down capability if it can detect, track and guide a weapon to an air target that (as seen by the radar) is silhouetted against the ground.
Problem and naming
Airborne intercept radar relying exclusively on time ...
engagement, as well as multiple target tracking. This gave the Soviet Union an interceptor with the capability to engage the most likely Western intruders (low-flying cruise missiles and bombers) at long range.
The MiG-31 replaced the
Tu-128
The Tupolev Tu-28 (NATO reporting name Fiddler) was a long-range interceptor aircraft introduced by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. The official designation was Tu-128, but this designation was less commonly used in the West. It was the largest ...
as the Soviet Union's dedicated long-range interceptor, with far more advanced sensors and weapons, while its range is almost double that of the MiG-25.
Like that of its MiG-25 predecessor, the introduction of the MiG-31 was surrounded by early speculation and misinformation concerning its design and abilities. The West learned of the new interceptor from Lieutenant
Viktor Belenko
, birth_date =
, birth_place = Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
, death_date =
, death_place =
, nationality = AmericanRussian
, other_names =
, occupation = ...
, a pilot who defected to Japan in 1976 with his MiG-25P. Belenko described an upcoming "Super Foxbat" with two seats and an ability to intercept cruise missiles. According to his testimony, the new interceptor was to have air intakes similar to the
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-23; NATO reporting name: Flogger) is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is a third-generati ...
, which the MiG-31 does not have, at least in production variants.
Into production
Serial production of the MiG-31 began in 1979.
A group of four MiG-31 interceptors is able to control an area of air space across a total length of ;
its radar possessing a maximum detection range of in distance (radius) and the typical width of detection along the front of .
The MiG-31 was designed to fulfill the following mission objectives:
*Intercept cruise missiles and their launch aircraft by reaching missile launch range in the shortest possible time after departing the loiter area;
*Detect and destroy low flying cruise missiles, UAVs and helicopters;
*Long range escort of strategic bombers;
*Provide strategic air defense in areas not covered by ground-based, air defense systems.
MiG-31 production ended in 1994.
The first production batch of 519 MiG-31s including 349 "baseline models" was produced at the Sokol plant between 1976 and 1988. The second batch of 101 MiG-31DZs was produced from 1989 to 1991. The final batch of 69 MiG-31B aircraft was produced between 1990 and 1994. From the final batch 50 were retained by the Kazakhstan Air Force after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Of the "baseline models", 40 airframes were upgraded to MiG-31BS standard.
Upgrades and replacement
Some upgrade programs have found their way into the MiG-31 fleet, like the MiG-31BM multirole version with upgraded avionics, new multimode radar, hands-on-throttle-and-stick (
HOTAS
HOTAS, an acronym of hands on throttle-and-stick, is the concept of placing buttons and switches on the throttle lever and flight control stick in an aircraft's cockpit. By adopting such an arrangement, pilots are capable of performing all vita ...
) controls,
liquid crystal
Liquid crystal (LC) is a state of matter whose properties are between those of conventional liquids and those of solid crystals. For example, a liquid crystal may flow like a liquid, but its molecules may be oriented in a crystal-like way. T ...
(LCD) color multi-function displays (MFDs), ability to carry the
R-77
The Vympel NPO R-77 missile (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) is a Russian active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It is also known by its export designation RVV-AE. It is the Russian counterpart to the American AIM-120 AMRA ...
missile and various Russian
air-to-ground missiles
An air-to-surface missile (ASM) or air-to-ground missile (AGM) is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft at targets on land or sea. There are also unpowered guided glide bombs not considered missiles. The two most common prop ...
(AGMs) such as the
Kh-31
The Kh-31 (russian: Kha (Cyrillic), Х-31; AS-17 'Krypton') is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by aircraft such as the MiG-29 or Su-27. It is capable of Mach number, Mach 3.5 and was the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be la ...
anti-radiation missile
An anti-radiation missile (ARM) is a missile designed to detect and home in on an enemy radio emission source. Typically, these are designed for use against an enemy radar, although jammers and even radios used for communications can also be t ...
(ARM), a new and more powerful computer, and digital
data link
A data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving digital information (data communication). It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a recei ...
s. A project to upgrade the Russian MiG-31 fleet to the MiG-31BM standard began in 2010;
100 aircraft are to be upgraded to MiG-31BM standard by 2020. Russian Federation Defence Ministry chief Colonel Yuri Balyko has claimed that the upgrade will increase the combat effectiveness of the aircraft several times over. 18 MIG-31BMs were delivered in 2014. The Russian military will receive more than 130 upgraded MiG-31BMs, and the first 24 aircraft have already been delivered, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters on 9 April 2015.
Russia plans to start development of a replacement for the MiG-31 by 2019. The aircraft will be called PAK-DP (ПАК ДП, ''Перспективный авиационный комплекс дальнего перехвата'' – Prospective Air Complex for Long-Range Interception). Development of the new aircraft, designated
MiG-41, began in April 2013. Such development is favored over restarting MiG-31 production.
In March 2014, Russian test pilot
Anatoly Kvochur
Anatoly Nikolayevich Kvochur ( rus, Анатолий Николаевич Квочур; born 16 April 1952) is a Soviet and Russian test pilot. Honoured Test Pilot of the USSR (1990) and Hero of the Russian Federation (1992).
Biography
Anatoly ...
said that work began on a Mach 4 capable MiG-41 based on the MiG-31. Later reports said that development of the MiG-31 replacement is to begin in 2017, with the first aircraft to be delivered in 2020, and the replacement entering service in 2025.
Design
![Russian Air Force MiG-31 inflight Pichugin](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Russian_Air_Force_MiG-31_inflight_Pichugin.jpg)
Like the MiG-25, the MiG-31 is a large twin-engine aircraft with side-mounted air
intake ramp
An intake ramp is a rectangular, plate-like device within the air intake of a jet engine, designed to generate a number of shock waves to aid the inlet compression process at supersonic speeds. The ramp sits at an acute angle to deflect the inta ...
s, a shoulder-mounted wing with an
aspect ratio of 2.94, and twin vertical tailfins. Unlike the MiG-25, it has two seats, with the rear occupied by a dedicated
weapon systems officer
A Weapon Systems Officer (WSO), nicknamed "Wizzo", is an air flight officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of a military aircraft.
Historically, aircrew duties in military aircraft were highly specialised and rigi ...
.
The MiG-31 is limited to five
''g'' when travelling at supersonic speeds.
While flying under combat weight, its
wing loading
In aerodynamics, wing loading is the total mass of an aircraft or flying animal divided by the area of its wing. The stalling speed of an aircraft in straight, level flight is partly determined by its wing loading. An aircraft or animal with a ...
is marginal and its
thrust-to-weight ratio
Thrust-to-weight ratio is a dimensionless ratio of thrust to weight of a rocket, jet engine, propeller engine, or a vehicle propelled by such an engine that is an indicator of the performance of the engine or vehicle.
The instantaneous thrust-to-w ...
is favorable. The MiG-31 is not designed for
close combat or rapid turning.
The wings and airframe of the MiG-31 are stronger than those of the MiG-25, permitting supersonic flight at low altitudes. Like the MiG-25, its flight surfaces are built primarily of nickel-steel alloy, enabling the aircraft to tolerate
kinetic heating at airspeeds approaching Mach 3. The MiG-31 airframe comprises 49% arc-welded nickel steel, 33% light metal alloy, 16% titanium and 2% composites. Its
D30-F6 jet engines, each rated at 152 kN thrust, allow a maximum speed of
Mach 1.23 at low altitude. High-altitude speed is temperature-redlined to Mach 2.83 – the thrust-to-drag ratio is sufficient for speeds in excess of Mach 3, but such speeds pose unacceptable hazards to engine and airframe life in routine use.
Electronics suite
![DN-ST-92-02246](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/DN-ST-92-02246.JPEG)
The MiG-31 was among the first aircraft with a
phased array radar
A phaser is an electronic sound processor used to filter a signal, and it has a series of troughs in its frequency-attenutation graph. The position (in Hz) of the peaks and troughs are typically modulated by an internal low-frequency oscillat ...
, and one of two aircraft in the world capable of independently firing long-range
air-to-air missile
The newest and the oldest member of Rafael's Python family of AAM for comparisons, Python-5 (displayed lower-front) and Shafrir-1 (upper-back)
An air-to-air missile (AAM) is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying a ...
s as of 2013.
The MiG-31 was the world's first operational fighter with a
passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, the ''
Zaslon S-800''. Its maximum range against fighter-sized targets is approximately , and it can track up to 10 targets and simultaneously attack four of them with its
Vympel
Directorate "V" of the FSB Special Purpose Center, often referred to as Spetsgruppa "V" Vympel ( pennant in Russian, originated from German , and having the same meaning), but also known as KGB Directorate "V", Vega Group, is an elite Russian ...
R-33 missiles. The radar is matched with an
infrared search and track
An infrared search and track (IRST) system (sometimes known as infrared sighting and tracking) is a method for detecting and tracking objects which give off infrared radiation, such as the infrared signatures of jet aircraft and helicopters.
...
(IRST) system in a retractable undernose fairing.
The MiG-31 was equipped with RK-RLDN and APD-518
digital secure datalinks. The RK-RLDN datalink is for communication with ground control centers. The APD-518 datalink enables a flight of four MiG-31 to automatically exchange radar-generated data within from each other. It also enables other aircraft with less sophisticated avionics,
such as MiG-23s, 25s, and 29s and Su-15s and 27s,
to be directed to targets spotted by MiG-31 (a maximum of four (long-range) for each MiG-31 aircraft). The
A-50 AEW AEW or aew may refer to:
* Airborne early warning, airborne radar system for detecting aircraft
* Aerosvit Airlines, an airline based in Kyiv, Ukraine (ICAO airline designator: AEW)
* AEW Capital Management, a property investment management company
...
aircraft and MiG-31 can automatically exchange aerial and terrestrial radar target designation, as well as air defense.
The MiG-31 is equipped with ECM of radar and infrared ranges.
The flight-navigation equipment of the MiG-31 includes a complex of automatic control system SAU-155МP and sighting-navigation complex KN-25 with two inertial systems and IP-1-72A with digital computer, electronic long range navigation system Radical NP (312) or A-331, electronic system of the long-range
navigation
Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another.Bowditch, 2003:799. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, ...
A-723. Distant radio navigation is carried out by means of two systems:
Chayka
Chayka (russian: Чайка, lit. "seagull") also known as Radioteknicheskaya Systema Dalyoloiy Navigatsii abbreviated as RSDN (lit. Russian Hyperbolic Radio Navigation System) is a Russian terrestrial radio navigation system, similar to Loran ...
(similar to the system of
Loran
LORAN, short for long range navigation, was a hyperbolic radio navigation system developed in the United States during World War II. It was similar to the UK's Gee system but operated at lower frequencies in order to provide an improved range u ...
) and «Route» (similar to the system of Omega).
Similarly to the complex
S-300 missile system
The S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) is a series of long range surface-to-air missile systems developed and operated by the former Soviet Union, now fielded by the militaries of Russia and Ukraine as well as several other former Easte ...
, aircraft group with APD-518 can share data obtained by various radars from different directions (active or passive scanning of radiation) and summarize the data. The target can be detected passively (via its emissions of jamming or use of its radar) and/or actively simultaneously from many different directions (with the MiG-31 using its radar). Every aircraft with the APD-518 will have the exact data, even if it is not involved in the search.
* interacting with ground-based automated digital control system (ACS «Rubezh» Operating radius of , can control multiple groups of planes), operating modes of remote aiming, semi-automated actions (coordinate support), singly, and also: to direct on the target missiles launched from the other aircraft.
* Digital immune system provides the automatic exchange of tactical information in a group of four interceptors, remote one from another at a distance of and aiming at the target group of fighters with less-powerful avionics (in this case the aircraft performs the role of guidance point or repeater).
Radars
![MIG-31Datalink](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/MIG-31Datalink.jpg)
Adopted in 1981 RP-31 N007 ''backstop'' (Russian: ''Zaslon'').
* the range of detection of air targets with Zaslon-A: (for the purpose of a
radar cross-section
Radar cross-section (RCS), also called radar signature, is a measure of how detectable an object is by radar. A larger RCS indicates that an object is more easily detected.
An object reflects a limited amount of radar energy back to the source. ...
of 19 m
2 on a collision angle with probability 0.5)
* target detection distance with
radar cross-section
Radar cross-section (RCS), also called radar signature, is a measure of how detectable an object is by radar. A larger RCS indicates that an object is more easily detected.
An object reflects a limited amount of radar energy back to the source. ...
of in the rear within with a probability of 0.5
* number of detected targets: 24 (was originally 10
)
* number of targets for attack: 6 (was originally 4
)
* range of automatic tracking:
* detection of
infrared signature Infrared signature, as used by defense scientists and the military, is the appearance of objects to infrared sensors. An infrared signature depends on many factors, including the shape and size of the object, temperature, and emissivity, reflection ...
targets:
* Effective in the detection of cruise missiles and other targets against
ground clutter
Clutter
is a term used for unwanted echoes in electronic systems, particularly in reference to radars. Such echoes are typically returned from ground, sea, rain, animals/insects, chaff and atmospheric turbulences, and can cause serious performanc ...
* Until 2000, it was the world's only fighter in service equipped with phased array radar,
when the
Mitsubishi F-2
The Mitsubishi F-2 is a multirole fighter derived from the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, with a 60/40 split in manufacturing betw ...
entered service with the
J/APG-1
The J/APG-1 is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric for use on the Mitsubishi F-2 fighter aircraft starting in 2002. It was the first series production AESA to be introduced o ...
active phased array
An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled array antenna in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the an ...
radar.
* Able to intercept and destroy cruise missiles flying at extremely low altitudes.
Variant differences
The basic differences between other versions and the MiG-31BM are:
*The onboard radar complex of the MiG-31BM can track 24 airborne targets at one time, six of which can be simultaneously attacked by
R-33S missiles.
*Modernized variants of the aircraft can be equipped with anti-radiation missiles
Kh-31
The Kh-31 (russian: Kha (Cyrillic), Х-31; AS-17 'Krypton') is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by aircraft such as the MiG-29 or Su-27. It is capable of Mach number, Mach 3.5 and was the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be la ...
,
Kh-25
The Kh-25/Kh-25M (russian: Х-25; NATO: AS-10 'Karen) is a family of Soviet lightweight air-to-ground missiles with a modular range of guidance systems and a range of 10 km. The anti-radar variant (Kh-25MP) is known to NATO as the AS-12 ' K ...
MR or MPU (up to six units), anti-ship Kh-31A (up to six), air-to-surface class missiles
Kh-29
The Kh-29 (russian: Х-29; NATO: AS-14 'Kedge; GRAU: 9M721) is a Soviet air-to-surface missile with a range of 10–30 km. It has a large warhead of 320 kg, has a choice of laser, infrared, active radar or TV guidance, and is typically ...
and
Kh-59
The Kh-59 ''Ovod'' (russian: Х-59 Овод ' Gadfly'; AS-13 'Kingbolt') is a Russian TV-guided cruise missile with a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and 200 km range. The Kh-59M ''Ovod-M'' (AS-18 'Kazoo') is a variant with a bigger war ...
(up to three) or Kh-59M (up to two units), up to six precision bombs
KAB-1500
KAB-1500 is a Russian precision guided weapon which comes in three versions: KAB-1500L, KAB-1500S-E
The KAB-1500S-E (russian: КАБ-1500С-Э) is a precision guided bomb, part of KAB-1500 family, designed for the Russian Federation Air Force (RF ...
or eight
KAB-500 with television or laser-guidance. Maximum mass of payload is .
*The MiG-31M, MiG-31D, and MiG-31BM standard aircraft have an upgraded ''Zaslon-M'' radar, with larger antenna and greater detection range (said to be against
AWACS-size targets) and the ability to attack multiple targets – air and ground – simultaneously. The Zaslon-M has a diameter (larger) antenna, with 50–100% better performance than Zaslon. In April 1994 it was used with an
R-37 to hit a target at distance.
It has a search range of for a RCS target and can track 24 targets at once, engaging six,
or for .
Relative target speed detection increased from Mach 5 to Mach 6, improving the probability of destroying fast-moving targets.
The MiG-31BM is one of only a few aircraft able to intercept and destroy cruise missiles flying at extremely low altitude.
Cockpit
![Cockpit of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 (2)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Cockpit_of_Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-31_%282%29.jpg)
The aircraft is a two-seater with the rear seat occupant controlling the radar. Although cockpit controls are duplicated across cockpits, it is normal for the aircraft to be flown only from the front seat. The pilot flies the aircraft by means of a
centre stick
A centre stick (or center stick in the United States), or simply control stick is an aircraft cockpit arrangement where the control column (or joystick) is located in the center of the cockpit between the pilots or between the pilot's legs. Since ...
and left hand
throttle
A throttle is the mechanism by which fluid flow is managed by constriction or obstruction.
An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases (by the use of a throttle), but usually decreased. The term ''throttle'' ...
s. The rear cockpit has only two small vision ports on the sides of the canopy. The presence of the WSO (weapon systems operator) in the rear cockpit improves aircraft effectiveness since the WSO is entirely dedicated to radar operations and weapons deployment, thus decreasing the workload of the pilot and increasing efficiency. Both cockpits are fitted with zero/zero
ejection seat
In aircraft, an ejection seat or ejector seat is a system designed to rescue the aircraft pilot, pilot or other aircrew, crew of an aircraft (usually military) in an emergency. In most designs, the seat is propelled out of the aircraft by an ex ...
s which allow the crew to eject at any altitude and airspeed.
Armament
![Merlion86 0557 (9597099035)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Merlion86_0557_%289597099035%29.jpg)
The MiG-31's main armament is four
R-33 air-to-air missile
The newest and the oldest member of Rafael's Python family of AAM for comparisons, Python-5 (displayed lower-front) and Shafrir-1 (upper-back)
An air-to-air missile (AAM) is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying a ...
s (
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
codename AA-9 'Amos') carried under the belly.
*One
GSh-6-23
The Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23 (russian: Грязев-Шипунов ГШ-6-23) (GRAU designation: 9A-620 for GSh-6-23, 9A-768 for GSh-6-23M modernized variant) is a six-barreled 23 mm rotary cannon used by some modern Soviet/Russian military ...
cannon with 260 rounds. (The MiG-31's predecessor, the MiG-25 did not include a cannon.)
*Fuselage recesses for four
R-33 (AA-9 'Amos') or four
R-37 (AA-13 'Arrow') (MiG-31M/BM only).
*Four underwing pylons for a combination of (six places for charging (two spaces to add removable fuel tanks
)
**Six
R-37 (missile)
The Vympel R-37 (NATO reporting name: AA-13 "Axehead") is a Russian hypersonic air-to-air missile with very long range. The missile and its variants also had the names K-37, ''izdeliye'' 610 and RVV-BD (Ракета Воздух-Воздух Бо ...
long-range air-to-air missiles .
**Four
R-33 long-range missiles 2012.
** (?)×
Kh-31
The Kh-31 (russian: Kha (Cyrillic), Х-31; AS-17 'Krypton') is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by aircraft such as the MiG-29 or Su-27. It is capable of Mach number, Mach 3.5 and was the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be la ...
long-range air-to-ground missiles () for high-speed target (maneuvering with an overload of 8 g).
** (?)× R-33 (AA-9 "Amos") (1981) , R-33S (1999) .
**Two
or four (superior limit)
×
R-40TD1 (AA-6 'Acrid') medium-range missiles (R-40 – ), MiG-25P, 1970) launched at altitudes of (maneuvering with overload four g).
**Four
R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid')![2018 Moscow Victory Day Parade 66](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/2018_Moscow_Victory_Day_Parade_66.jpg)
***Four
R-73 (AA-11 'Archer') short-range IR missiles,
***Four
R-77
The Vympel NPO R-77 missile (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) is a Russian active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It is also known by its export designation RVV-AE. It is the Russian counterpart to the American AIM-120 AMRA ...
(AA-12 'Adder') medium-range missiles () for high-speed target (maneuvering with overload of 12 g).
*Some aircraft are equipped to launch the
Kh-31P (AS-17 'Krypton') and
Kh-58 (AS-11 'Kilter') anti-radiation missile
An anti-radiation missile (ARM) is a missile designed to detect and home in on an enemy radio emission source. Typically, these are designed for use against an enemy radar, although jammers and even radios used for communications can also be t ...
s in the
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role. Anti-ship missiles
Kh-31
The Kh-31 (russian: Kha (Cyrillic), Х-31; AS-17 'Krypton') is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by aircraft such as the MiG-29 or Su-27. It is capable of Mach number, Mach 3.5 and was the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be la ...
A (up to six) and air-to-surface missiles X-59 and X-29T (up to three) or X-59M (up to two units), up to six air bombs KAB-1500, or up to eight KAB-500 with a television or laser-guidance. Maximum weight of the combat load is .
*One
Kh-47M2 Kinzhal
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (in Russian: Х-47М2 Кинжал, "Dagger", NATO reporting name Killjoy) is a Russian nuclear-capable hypersonic aero-ballistic air-to-surface missile. It has a claimed range of more than , Mach 12 speed (2.5 mi/s), and an ...
high-precision ballistic missile with a range of about , Mach 10 speed. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. This gave the MiG-31 long range strike capabilities for the first time, alongside its primary interceptor role.
Operational history
![MiG-31 790 IAP Khotilovo airbase](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/MiG-31_790_IAP_Khotilovo_airbase.jpg)
Serial production of the MiG-31 began in 1979.
The MiG-31 entered operational service with the
Soviet Air Defence Forces
The Soviet Air Defence Forces (russian: войска ПВО, ''voyska protivovozdushnoy oborony'', ''voyska PVO'', ''V-PVO'', lit. ''Anti-Air Defence Troops''; and formerly ''protivovozdushnaya oborona strany'', ''PVO strany'', lit. ''Anti-Air De ...
(PVO) in 1981. It was the world's first aircraft with a
phased array radar
A phaser is an electronic sound processor used to filter a signal, and it has a series of troughs in its frequency-attenutation graph. The position (in Hz) of the peaks and troughs are typically modulated by an internal low-frequency oscillat ...
. The MiG-31BM has a detection range of for a target with a
radar cross-section
Radar cross-section (RCS), also called radar signature, is a measure of how detectable an object is by radar. A larger RCS indicates that an object is more easily detected.
An object reflects a limited amount of radar energy back to the source. ...
of 5 square meters.
During the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
, MiG-31 aircraft have reportedly shot down several Ukrainian aircraft, mainly by utilising the long range
R-37 air-to-air missile. By remaining at high speed and high altitude, MiG-31s have been able to operate virtually unopposed due to Ukraine's own fighters lacking range, speed, or altitude.
The R-37M has, since October 2022, been the main threat against the Ukrainian Air Force. The Ukrainian Air Force has a significant lack of fire-and-forget missiles. They relied on the
R-27 missiles, both the R-27ER and R-27ET; the R-27ET's range is 60 miles. A Ukrainian pilot must illuminate a Russian aircraft with radar to guide the missile to the target. Russian pilots firing the active-radar, fire-and-forget
R-77
The Vympel NPO R-77 missile (NATO reporting name: AA-12 Adder) is a Russian active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It is also known by its export designation RVV-AE. It is the Russian counterpart to the American AIM-120 AMRA ...
give them the ability to launch their missiles and then take evasive action. Ukrainian pilots were forced to "exploit ground clutter and terrain-masking to get close enough to fire before being engaged". During the first three days of the war both sides lost aircraft. The Ukrainians replaced them with older airframes that were made flyable. However the Russian Air Force turned to the
MiG-31
The Mikoyan MiG-31 (russian: link=no, Микоян МиГ-31; NATO reporting name: Foxhound) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft that was developed for use by the Soviet Air Forces. The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan design bureau as a ...
with the R-37M missile that has a range of 200 miles. Combined with its superior radar, on the MiG-31, the Ukrainian Air Force has started losing more aircraft. A report by the
Royal United Services Institute
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI, Rusi), registered as Royal United Service Institute for Defence and Security Studies and formerly the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies, is a British defence and security think tank. ...
states that in October some six R-37Ms were being fired at the Ukrainian Air Force a day. Four MiG-31 were also deployed to Crimea. To avoid R-37M missiles, Ukraine has had to attempt to destroy MiG-31s while they are still on the ground, such as the attack on the Belbek airbase and an attempted drone attack in August.
Export
In 1992 Russia offered the MiG-31 to
Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
,
which had a selection programme ongoing for a new fighter, but the offer was not submitted to the program, where Russia had submitted the MiG-29.
Finland didn't take up the offer,
[ and chose the new fighter from the selection programme.][
]Syria
Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...
ordered eight MiG-31E aircraft in 2007 for the Syrian Air Force
)
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 16 October
, equipment =
, equipment_label =
, battles = * 1948 Arab-Israeli War
* Six-Day War
* Yom Kippur War
...
. The order was suspended in May 2009 reportedly either due to Israeli pressure or lack of Syrian funds.
Variants
;Ye-155MP (MiG-25MP): Prototype modification of the early MiG-31. First flight on 16 September 1975.
;MiG-31: First variant which entered in serial production. 349 aircraft were built.
;MiG-31M:Development of a more comprehensive advanced version, the MiG-31M, began in 1984 and first flew in 1985, but the dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union, also negatively connoted as rus, Разва́л Сове́тского Сою́за, r=Razvál Sovétskogo Soyúza, ''Ruining of the Soviet Union''. was the process of internal disintegration within the Sov ...
prevented it from entering full production. One piece rounded windscreen, small side windows for rear cockpit, wider and deeper dorsal spine. Digital flight controls added, multifunction CRT cockpit displays, multi-mode phased array radar. No gun fitted in this model, refueling probe moved to starboard side of aircraft, fuselage weapon stations increased from 4 to 6 by adding two centre-line stations. Maximum TO weight increased to using increased thrust D-30F6M engines instead of the D-30F6 engines. 1 prototype and 6 flyable pre-production units were produced.
;MiG-31D: Two aircraft were designated as Type 31D and were manufactured as dedicated anti-satellite models with ballast in the nose instead of radars, flat fuselage undersurface (i.e. no recessed weapon system bays) and had large winglets above and below the wing-tips. Equipped with Vympel ASAT missiles. Two prototypes were built.
;MiG-31LL: Special modification used as a flying laboratory for testing of ejection seats during flight.
;MiG-31 01DZ: Two-seat all weather, all altitude interceptor. Designated as MiG-31 01DZ when fitted with air-to-air refueling probe. One hundred produced of DZ variant.
;MiG-31B: Second production batch with upgraded avionics
Avionics (a blend word, blend of ''aviation'' and ''electronics'') are the Electronics, electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, Air navigation, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, ...
and in-flight refueling probe introduced in 1990. Its development was the result of the Soviet discovery that Phazotron
JSC Phazotron-NIIR (Phazotron-NIIR, russian: ОАО «Корпорация «Фазотрон-НИИР»), is Russia's largest developer of military radars and avionics. Named after one of its major projects, the first cosmotron in the former-USS ...
radar
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (''ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, w ...
division engineer Adolf Tolkachev
Adolf Georgiyevich Tolkachev (russian: Адольф Георгиевич Толкачёв; 6 January 1927 in Aktyubinsk (now Aktobe), Kazakh ASSR, Soviet Union – 24 September 1986) was a Soviet electronics engineer who provided key documents to ...
had sold information on advanced radars to the West. A new version of the compromised radar was hastily developed. MiG-31B also have the improved ECM and EW equipment with integration of improved R-33S missiles. Long range navigation system compatible with Loran/Omega and Chaka ground stations added. This model replaced the 01DZ models in late 1990.
;MiG-31E: Export version of the MiG-31B with simplified avionics. Never entered in serial production.
;MiG-31BS: Designation applied to type 01DZ when converted to MiG-31B standard.
;MiG-31BM: After passing state testing in 2008 this modernized variant of MiG-31B was approved for introduction into air force of Russia. 50 planes are modified to MiG-31BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya/Big Modernization) standard in accordance with 2011 contract. Efficiency of modernized MiG-31BM is 2.6 times greater than basic MiG-31. The MiG-31BМ's maximum detection range for air targets was increased in the upgrade to . It had the ability to automatically track up to ten targets, and the latest units can track up to 24 targets and simultaneously engage up to eight targets. The on-board Argon-K is replaced with new Baget 55-06 computer that selects four targets of highest priority, which simultaneously are engaged by long-range R-33S air-to-air missiles. New long range missile R-37 (missile)
The Vympel R-37 (NATO reporting name: AA-13 "Axehead") is a Russian hypersonic air-to-air missile with very long range. The missile and its variants also had the names K-37, ''izdeliye'' 610 and RVV-BD (Ракета Воздух-Воздух Бо ...
with speed of Mach 6 and range up to is developed during modernization process for use with newly modernized MiG-31. MiG-31BM has multi-role capability as is capable of using anti-radar, air to ship and air to ground missiles. It has some of avionics unified with MiG-29SMT and has refueling probe. MiG-31BM broke world record while spending seven hours and four minutes in the air while covering the distance of .
;MiG-31BSM: An upgrade of the BS version, it is the latest modernization variant first time contracted in 2014 for modernization of 60 aircraft, it is very similar in some aspects to the BM standard. Unlike the BS standard, aircraft modernized into the BSM standard are equipped with air refueling probe. Improvements were made to the aircraft canopy, where new and better heat resistant glass was used, thus enabling the MiG-31BSM to fly with cruise speed of at long distances without any damage. Furthermore, new faster central computer Baget-55-06 is used with addition of multi-functional displays, one for the pilot and three for the weapons operator-navigator. Also there is a new set of navigation equipment. The MiG-31BSM has multi-role capability with ability to use anti-radar, anti-ship and air-to-ground missiles. Main visible difference between the BS and BSM standards is adding of the rear-view periscope above the front cockpit canopy.
;MiG-31K: Modified MiG-31BM variant able to carry the hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (in Russian: Х-47М2 Кинжал, "Dagger", NATO reporting name Killjoy) is a Russian nuclear-capable hypersonic aero-ballistic air-to-surface missile. It has a claimed range of more than , Mach 12 speed (2.5 mi/s), and an ...
ALBM
An air-launched ballistic missile or ALBM is a ballistic missile launched from an aircraft. An ALBM allows the launch aircraft to stand off at long distances from its target, keeping it well outside the range of defensive weapons like Surface-to- ...
. Ten aircraft were modified by May 2018. With this modification and with removed APU for air-to-air missiles, the aircraft gained a sole role of an attack aircraft.
;MiG-31F: Planned fighter-bomber intended for use with TV, radar and laser-guided ASM weapon systems. Never entered serial production.
;MiG-31FE: Planned export version of the MiG-31F.
;MiG-31I (Ishim): Proposed modification for air launch to orbit
Air launch to orbit (ALTO) is the method of launching smaller rockets at altitude from a heavier conventional horizontal-takeoff
aircraft, to carry satellites to low Earth orbit. It is a follow-on development of air launches of experimental air ...
of small spacecraft with a payload of to altitude or to altitude orbit.
;MiG-31 (''Izdeliye 08''): MiG-31 modified into a launch-platform for the ''Izdeliye 293'' ''Burevestnik'' anti-satellite missile
Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic or tactical
purposes. Several nations possess operational ASAT systems. Although no ASAT system has been utilised in warfare, a few ...
. At least two prototypes are converted. Tests from September 2018.
Operators
;
* Kazakh Air Defense Forces
, image = Coa vvsrk.svg
, image_size = 200px
, caption = Emblem of the Kazakh Air Defence Forces
, start_date =
, country =
, allegi ...
** 610th Air Base (Sary-Arka Airport)
*** From 20 to 31 in inventory as of 2020.
;
* Russian Aerospace Forces
The Russian Aerospace Forces or Russian Air and Space Forces ( rus, Воздушно-космические силы, r=Vozdushno-kosmicheskiye sily) or VKS ( rus, ВКС}) comprise the air and space branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Fe ...
**4th Centre for Combat Application and Crew Training (Savasleyka)
**22nd Fighter Aviation Regiment (Tsentralnaya Uglovaya)
**98th Independent Composite Aviation Regiment (Monchegorsk)
** 764th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Perm/Bolshoye Savino)
**712th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment The 712th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment is a fighter aviation regiment of the Russian Air Force. Part of the 21st Mixed Aviation Division of the 14th Air and Air Defense Forces Army, the regiment is based at Kansk air base and flies the Mi ...
(Kansk)
**790th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Khotilovo/Borisovskiy)
**929th V.P. Chkalova State Flight Test Centre (Akhtubinsk)
*** From 131 to 85 MiG-31BM in inventory as of 2020. Deliveries of updated aircraft drawn from older models stocks continue as of 2022. Ten jets have been modified to the MiG-31K version and carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile as of May 2018. With this modification and with removed APU for air-to-air missiles, the aircraft gained a sole role of an attack aircraft.
* Russian Naval Aviation
The Russian Naval Aviation ( rus, Авиация Военно-морского флота России, r=Aviatsiya Voenno-morskovo Flota Rossii) is the air arm of the Russian Navy, a successor of Soviet Naval Aviation. The Russian Navy is divide ...
** 7060th Naval Aviation Air Base (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy/Yelizovo)
*** 10 MiG-31B/BS and 22 MiG-31BM in inventory as of 2020.
Former operators
;
* Soviet Air Forces
The Soviet Air Forces ( rus, Военно-воздушные силы, r=Voyenno-vozdushnyye sily, VVS; literally "Military Air Forces") were one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces. The Air Forces ...
aircraft passed to the Russian and Kazakh Air Forces after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union, also negatively connoted as rus, Разва́л Сове́тского Сою́за, r=Razvál Sovétskogo Soyúza, ''Ruining of the Soviet Union''. was the process of internal disintegration within the Sov ...
.
* Soviet Air Defence Forces
The Soviet Air Defence Forces (russian: войска ПВО, ''voyska protivovozdushnoy oborony'', ''voyska PVO'', ''V-PVO'', lit. ''Anti-Air Defence Troops''; and formerly ''protivovozdushnaya oborona strany'', ''PVO strany'', lit. ''Anti-Air De ...
Notable accidents
On 4 April 1984, a MiG-31 crashed while on a test flight, killing Mikoyan chief test pilot and Hero of the Soviet Union, Aleksandr Vasilyevich Fedotov
Alexander Vasilyevich Fedotov (23 June 1932, Stalingrad, USSR – 4 April 1984, USSR) was a Soviet test pilot who was a Hero of the Soviet Union, Honoured Test Pilot of the USSR, Lenin Prize holder and Major-General of Aviation.
Biography
He w ...
and his navigator V. Zaitsev.
On 26 April 2017, a MiG-31 crashed after it was accidentally hit by "friendly fire" during a training session near the Telemba proving ground
A proving ground (US) is an installation or reservation in which technology such as weapons, military tactics and automobile prototypes are experimented with or tested. Proving grounds can be operated by government bodies or civilian industries. ...
in Russian Far East
The Russian Far East (russian: Дальний Восток России, r=Dal'niy Vostok Rossii, p=ˈdalʲnʲɪj vɐˈstok rɐˈsʲiɪ) is a region in Northeast Asia. It is the easternmost part of Russia and the Asian continent; and is admini ...
. This occurred during a training exercise over the Telemba proving ground in Buryatia
Buryatia, officially the Republic of Buryatia (russian: Республика Бурятия, r=Respublika Buryatiya, p=rʲɪsˈpublʲɪkə bʊˈrʲætʲɪjə; bua, Буряад Улас, Buryaad Ulas, , mn, Буриад Улс, Buriad Uls), is ...
; both crew members ejected successfully. While Russian state media did not offer any details, independent investigators discovered from a leaked government document that the aircraft was shot down by an R-33 missile fired from another MiG-31 and that pilot error
Pilot error generally refers to an Aviation accidents and incidents, accident in which an action or decision made by the Aircraft pilot#Airline, pilot was the cause or a contributing factor that led to the accident, but also includes the pi ...
from both airplanes was at fault. The report also suggested problems with the Zaslon-AM radar and Baget-55 fire control system that might increase the risk of more accidental shootdowns.
On 16 April 2020, a MiG-31 interceptor of the Kazakh Air Force crashed in the country's Karaganda region.
On 8 April 2022, a MiG-31 of the Russian Air Force crashed in the Leningrad region
Leningrad Oblast ( rus, Ленинградская область, Leningradskaya oblast’, lʲɪnʲɪnˈgratskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ, , ) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). It was established on 1 August 1927, although it was not until 194 ...
.
On 2 December 2022, a MiG-31 of the Russian Air Force crashed during a training flight in the far eastern Primorsky Region
Primorsky Krai (russian: Приморский край, r=Primorsky kray, p=prʲɪˈmorskʲɪj kraj), informally known as Primorye (, ), is a federal subject (a krai) of Russia, located in the Far East region of the country and is a part of the ...
.
Specifications (MiG-31)
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
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External links
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{{Authority control
MiG-031
1970s Soviet fighter aircraft
Twinjets
Shoulder-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1975
Fourth-generation jet fighter