Fastest fighter in service. That’s the MiG-31. It exceeds 3000 km/h. The MiG-31 Foxhound stands before you. It is a supersonic interceptor aircraft.
The Mikoyan design bureau developed it. It replaced the MiG-25 Foxbat. The MiG-31 shares design elements with the MiG-25. The NATO reporting name for this aircraft is Foxhound.
Developed for the Soviet Air Forces, the MiG-31 continues to serve. It is operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Kazakh Air Defence Forces also used it. They retired it in 2023. Russia expects the MiG-31 to remain in service until at least 2030. The airframes’ service lifetime has been extended from 2500 to 3500 hours.
Development of the MiG-25’s replacement began with the Ye-155MP prototype. It first flew on September 16 1975. The MiG-31 has a longer fuselage. This accommodates the radar operator’s cockpit. An important development was the MiG-31’s advanced radar. It is capable of look-up and look-down/shoot-down engagement. It also can track multiple targets. This gave the Soviet Union an interceptor. It could engage Western intruders at long range. The MiG-31 replaced the Tu-128. It became the Soviet Union’s dedicated long-range interceptor. It has more advanced sensors and weapons. Its range is almost double that of the MiG-25.
Serial production of the MiG-31 began in 1979. The first production batch included 519 MiG-31s. This included 349 baseline models. They were produced at the Sokol plant between 1976 and 1988. The second batch included 101 MiG-31DZs. It was produced from 1989 to 1991. The final batch included 69 MiG-31B aircraft. It was produced between 1990 and 1994.
Some upgrades have been made to the MiG-31 fleet. The MiG-31BM is a multirole version. It features upgraded avionics and a new multimode radar. HOTAS controls are included. There are LCD color multi-function displays. It can carry the R-77 missile. It also can carry Russian air-to-ground missiles. These include the Kh-31 anti-radiation missile. It has a new and more powerful computer. Digital data links were added. A project to upgrade the Russian MiG-31 fleet began in 2010.
The MiG-31 was designed to intercept cruise missiles. It also could destroy low flying cruise missiles. UAVs and helicopters were also targets. It provides long range escort of strategic bombers. It offers strategic air defense. This covers areas not covered by ground-based air defense systems.
The MiG-31 is limited to five g when travelling at supersonic speeds. It is not designed for close combat. It also is not made for rapid turning.
The wings and airframe of the MiG-31 are stronger than those of the MiG-25. This permits supersonic flight at low altitudes. The MiG-31 airframe comprises arc-welded nickel steel light metal alloy titanium and composites. Its engines allow a maximum speed of Mach 1.23 at low altitude. High-altitude speed is temperature-redlined to Mach 2.83.
The MiG-31 was among the first aircraft with a phased array radar. It was the world’s first operational fighter with PESA radar. Its maximum range against fighter-sized targets is about 200 km. It can track up to 10 targets. It simultaneously can attack four of them. This uses its Vympel R-33 missiles. The radar is matched with an infrared search and track system.
The MiG-31 was equipped with digital secure datalinks. The datalink is for communication with ground control centers. Another datalink enables a flight of four MiG-31s. They can automatically exchange radar-generated data. This covers an area 200 km from each other. It enables other aircraft with less sophisticated avionics to be directed to targets.
The flight-navigation equipment includes an automatic control system. There is also a sighting-navigation complex. The aircraft group can share data. It can detect targets passively or actively.
A group of four MiG-31 interceptors is able to control an area of airspace. The area has a total length of 800 to 900 kilometers. Its radar possesses a maximum detection range of 200 kilometers.
The MiG-31’s main armament is four R-33 air-to-air missiles. These are carried under the belly. The aircraft has one cannon with 260 rounds. There are four underwing pylons.
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, MiG-31 aircraft have reportedly shot down several Ukrainian aircraft. They mainly used 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. Ukrainian fighters lack the range speed or altitude necessary to engage the MiG-31.
That concludes our look at the formidable MiG-31. A marvel of Soviet engineering. It continues to serve in modern times.