https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-31
The Mikoyan MiG-31 (Russian: ?????? ???-31; NATO reporting name: Foxhound) is a
supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for use by the Soviet Air Forces. The
aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan 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 has the distinction of being one of the fastest combat
jets in the world. It continues to be operated by the Russian Air Force and the
Kazakhstan Air Force following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the
Soviet Union in late 1991. The Russian Defence Ministry expects the MiG-31 to
remain in service until at least 2030.
The MiG-25 made substantial design sacrifices in order to achieve high speed,
altitude and rate of climb. It lacks maneuverability at interception speeds and
is difficult to fly at low altitudes. The MiG-25's speed is limited to Mach 2.83
but it could reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.2 or more with the risk of engine
damage
Development of the MiG-25's replacement began with the Ye-155MP (Russian:
?-155??) prototype which first flew on 16 September 1975. 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 advanced radar, capable of both look-up and
look-down/shoot-down engagement, as well as multiple target tracking. This gave
the Soviet Union an interceptor able to engage the most likely Western intruders
(low flying cruise missiles and bombers) at long range.
Like 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, 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, which the MiG-31 does not have, at least in production
variants.
Role
Interceptor aircraft
Manufacturer
Mikoyan
First flight
16 September 1975
Introduction
6 May 1981
Status
In service
Primary users
Russian Air Force
Kazakhstan Air Force
Produced
Number built
519
Developed from
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
Like the MiG-25, the MiG-31 is a large twin-engine aircraft with side-mounted
air intake ramps, 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. The MiG-31 is limited to only 5 g when
travelling at supersonic speeds. While flying under combat weight, its wing
loading is marginal and its thrust-to-weight ratio is favorable. However, 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
speeds in excess of Mach 3, but such speeds pose unacceptable hazards to engine
and airframe life in routine use.
Specifications (MiG-31)
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)
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)
Cruise speed: Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h; 1,550 mph)
Combat radius: 1,450 km (900 mi) at Mach 0.8 and at altitude of 10,000 m (33,000
ft); 720 km (450 mi) at Mach 2.35 and altitude of 18,000 m (59,000 ft)
Combat range: 3,000 km (1,860 mi) with 4xR-33E and 2 drop tanks; 5,400 km (3,360
mi) with 4xR-33E and 2 drop tanks with one in-flight refueling
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
MiG-31BM
4x R-33S
4x R-37M (AA-13 'Arrow')
4 underwing pylons for either: 2 or 4x R-40 (AA-6 'Acrid') MVR AAM
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