New life to mighty MIG31

[HAIDER]

MOSCOW, March 25 (RIA Novosti) - Up to 20 long-range interceptors will conduct launches of guided missiles during a tactical exercise in Siberia on Wednesday, a Russian Air Force spokesman said.

The live firing drills, involving MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors from an air regiment based in the Chita Region, will be held at the Telemba firing range.

"During the exercise, MiG-31 interceptors will fire missiles at airborne and ground targets at night and during the day," Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky said. "About 20 combat jets will participate in the drills."

The MiG-31 Foxhound is a two-seat supersonic interceptor aircraft developed to replace the MiG-25 Foxbat. It is equipped with two D-30F6 turbofan two-shaft engines with a common afterburner and a variable supersonic nozzle, which allow the aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2.83.


The interceptor also features unique air-to-air missiles capable of hitting targets at ranges exceeding 200 kilometers (125 miles), including aircraft with stealth capabilities, cruise missiles, and supersonic aircraft.

According to various sources, about 500 MiG-31s have been produced since production began in 1978, approximately 370 of which remain in service with the Russian Air Force.

Russia plans to modernize its whole fleet of MiG-31interceptors, which have been in service for 25 years, and extend their service life with the air force until 2015.

Drobyshevsky also said more than 10 units from the 5th Air Army based in the Urals Military District will participate in large-scale combined-arms exercises at the Kapustin Yar and Ashuluk training grounds, both in south Russia's Astrakhan region near the Caspian Sea.

The exercises will be held on April 1-10, and will involve MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors, Su-24 Fencer fighter-bombers, Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters and transport planes.


Only F-22 bets this 30 year old monster in BVR ... with 1.4m radar Mach-3 top speed and 1500 range at Mach -2.35 supercruise witch means more range than raptor at mutch higher supersonic speeds (armed !!!) and hiher top speed.

Supermanervable missiles with the range of up to 300 km - R-37M
230km range R-33 SARH ... and tons of other equipment

 

[MIG_ACE]

If they manage to equip the Mig-31 with advanced avionics(which is not a russian strong point) it can become a decent BVR platform. But it'll still come a cropper against stealth fighters. And if anyone manages to get in close the mig-31 is doomed because of the aerodynamic limitations of its airframe.

 

[yarmook]

Mig _ Ace can you also elaborate its aerodynamic limitations of its airframe thanks

 

[su-47]

Mig _ Ace can you also elaborate its aerodynamic limitations of its airframe thanks

the MiG-31 is heavily based on the MiG-25. The MiG-25 was called a 'rocket with wings' in the USA coz of its high speed and very low manouverability. the MiG-31 is a little more manouverable than the MiG-25, but by modern standards its manouverability sucks.

MiG-31s strengths are high speed, high altitudes of operation, large payload of powerful BVRAAMs like the Vympel R-37

 

[MIG_ACE]

Mig _ Ace can you also elaborate its aerodynamic limitations of its airframe thanks

I think su-47 explained it quite well. The Mig-31 has the same slab sided design reminiscent of the Mig-25. The airframe is optimized for speed not maneuverability. you can compare pics of the Mig-31 with those of the Su-27 series or the F-15. The article here seems to suggest that the cash-strapped russians are trying to teach an old dog new tricks.