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48-616: The Mikoyan MiG-31 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-31 ; NATO reporting name : Foxhound ) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for the Soviet Air Forces 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 is one of the fastest known operational combat aircraft in the world as of 2021, with

96-486: A centre stick and left hand throttles . 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 seats which allow

144-477: A Patriot battery launcher according to US officials, although there is limited evidence. In 1992 Russia offered the MiG-31 to Finland , 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 did not accept the offer, and chose the new fighter from the selection programme. Syria ordered eight MiG-31E aircraft in 2007 for

192-651: A bomber aircraft refers to the Tupolev Tu-95 , or "Fulcrum" for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 fighter aircraft. For fixed-wing aircraft, one-syllable names are used for propeller aircraft and two-syllable names for aircraft with jet engines. This distinction is not made for helicopters. Before the 1980s, reporting names for submarines were taken from the NATO spelling alphabet . Modifications of existing designs were given descriptive terms, such as " Whiskey Long Bin ". From

240-449: 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. The MiG-31 was among the first aircraft with a phased array radar . The MiG-31 was the world's first operational fighter with a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar,

288-580: A multifunctional long-range interceptor missile system (MPKR DP) that will dispense several sub-missiles in order to increase the chance of intercepting hypersonic weapons. The PAK DP is also intended to carry anti-satellite missiles . In January 2021, Rostec Corporation , the owner of Mikoyan , announced that the PAK DP had entered the development phase. In an interview for RT , the Director General of RSK MiG, Ilya Tarasenko, speculated that it would be

336-569: A new construction capable of Mach number 4–4.3, equipped with an anti-missile laser, and said would be able to operate at very high altitudes and even in near space . He also stated that it could be transformed into an unmanned version later. If purchased by the Russian Aerospace Forces , he said that the first production PAK DP would be completed in 2025. The aircraft may cruise at speeds of at least Mach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph) and fly at high altitudes (at levels between

384-600: A top speed of around 3,000 kilometres per hour (1,900 mph). It continues to be operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The other operator, the Kazakh Air Defense Forces , retired the type in 2023. The Russian Defence Ministry expects the MiG-31 to remain in service until at least 2030; that was confirmed in 2020 when an announcement

432-656: A training session near the Telemba proving ground in Russian Far East . This occurred during a training exercise over the Telemba proving ground in Buryatia ; 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 from both airplanes

480-611: Is a Russian programme to develop a stealth interceptor aircraft /heavy fighter under development by Mikoyan to replace the Mikoyan MiG-31 in the Russian Aerospace Forces in mid-2030s. It is often referred to as the Mikoyan MiG-41 , because its project code is izdeliye 41 (product 41), but an official designation has not been given, as Russian planes only receive an official designation when they are about to enter service. According to Russian defence analyst Vasily Kashin,

528-498: Is carried out by means of two systems: Chayka (similar to the system of Loran ) and «Route» (similar to the system of Omega). Similarly to the complex S-300 missile system , 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

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576-403: 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 A-723. Distant radio navigation

624-565: 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 200 km (120 mi) 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 aircraft and MiG-31 can automatically exchange aerial and terrestrial radar target designation, as well as air defense. The MiG-31

672-699: Is managed by the Five Eyes Air Force Interoperability Council (AFIC), previously known as the Air Standardization Coordinating Committee (ASCC), which is separate from NATO . Based in Washington DC, AFIC comprises representatives from the militaries of three NATO members (Canada, the United Kingdom and United States) and two non-NATO countries (Australia and New Zealand). When the system was introduced in

720-592: Is marginal and its thrust-to-weight ratio 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

768-479: The Zaslon S-800 . Its maximum range against fighter-sized targets is approximately 200 km (120 mi), and it can track up to 10 targets and simultaneously attack four of them with its Vympel R-33 missiles. The radar is matched with an infrared search and track (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

816-532: The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 , which the MiG-31 does not have, at least in production variants. Serial production of the MiG-31 began in 1979. 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

864-615: The R-77 missile and various Russian air-to-ground missiles (AGMs) such as the Kh-31 anti-radiation missile (ARM), a new and more powerful computer, and digital data links . A project to upgrade the Russian MiG-31 fleet to the MiG-31BM standard began in 2010; 100 aircraft were to be upgraded to the MiG-31BM standard by 2020. Russian Federation Defence Ministry chief Colonel Yuri Balyko has claimed that

912-508: The Syrian Air Force . The order was suspended in May 2009 reportedly either due to Israeli pressure or lack of Syrian funds. 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 and his navigator V. Zaitsev. On 26 April 2017, a MiG-31 crashed after it was accidentally hit by "friendly fire" during

960-479: The 1950s, reporting names also implicitly designated potentially hostile aircraft. However, since the end of the Cold War, some NATO air forces have operated various aircraft types with reporting names (e.g. the "Fulcrum" Mikoyan MiG-29 ). The United States Department of Defense (DOD) expands on the NATO reporting names in some cases. NATO refers to surface-to-air missile systems mounted on ships or submarines with

1008-807: The 1980s, new designs were given names derived from Russian words, such as " Akula ", or "shark". These names did not correspond to the Soviet names. Coincidentally, "Akula", which was assigned to an attack submarine by NATO, was the actual Soviet name for the ballistic missile submarine NATO named " Typhoon-class ". The NATO names for submarines of the People's Republic of China are taken from Chinese dynasties . Mikoyan MiG-41 PAK DP ( Russian : ПАК ДП , short for: Перспективный авиационный комплекс дальнего перехвата , romanized :  Perspektivny aviatsionny kompleks dal'nego perekhvata , lit.   ''Prospective air complex for long-range interception'')

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1056-505: The MiG-25's replacement began with the Ye-155MP (Russian: Е-155МП ) 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 MiG-31's advanced radar, capable of both look-up and look-down/shoot-down engagement, as well as multiple target tracking. This gave

1104-481: 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 was designed to fulfill the following mission objectives: The MiG-31 is limited to five  g when travelling at supersonic speeds. While flying under combat weight, its wing loading

1152-466: 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. A group of four MiG-31 interceptors is able to control an area of air space across a total length of 800 to 900 kilometres (500 to 560 mi); its radar possessing a maximum detection range of 200 kilometres (120 mi) in distance (radius) and the typical width of detection along

1200-546: The MiG-41 would be considered a 6th generation project. It's been said at first that progression on the supersonic PAK DP MiG-41 interceptor was making use of the MiG-701 (Izdeliye 7.01) and Mikoyan MiG-31 projects begun in the 1990s. As of July 2016, no official data was available concerning the aircraft's capabilities. It was speculated that it could enter service by the mid-2020s or 2030s. As an interceptor, its primary mission

1248-505: The NATO names, preferring a native Russian nickname. An exception was that Soviet airmen appreciated the MiG-29 's codename "Fulcrum", as an indication of its pivotal role in Soviet air defence. To reduce the risk of confusion, unusual or made-up names are allocated, the idea being that the names chosen are unlikely to occur in normal conversation and are easier to memorise. For fixed-wing aircraft,

1296-469: The R-27ER's range is 60 mi (97 km). 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 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

1344-811: The Russian Aerospace Forces crashed during a training flight in the far eastern Primorsky Region . On 26 April 2023, a MiG-31 of the Russian Aerospace Forces crashed during a training flight in northern Murmansk . The pilots reportedly ejected and survived. On 4 July 2023, a MiG-31 of the Russian Aerospace Forces crashed during a training flight over Avacha Bay . Data from Great Book of Modern Warplanes , Mikoyan, Combat Aircraft since 1945 , airforce-technology.com, deagel.com General characteristics Performance Armament Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists NATO reporting name The assignment of reporting names

1392-455: 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 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

1440-618: The Ukrainian Air Force a day. Four MiG-31s 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. On the early morning of 4 May 2023, a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile was intercepted by the Patriot air defense system according to the commander of

1488-616: The Ukrainian Air Force, general Mykola Oleschuk. The missile was fired from a MiG-31K in Russian airspace. Ukraine confirmed the intercept, saying it used the Patriot missile system protecting the Kyiv region. On 15 May 2024, Russian-installed officials in Crimea claimed that a missile attack caused explosions and fires near the Belbek airfield. Some missiles (possibly ATACMS) struck dropping cluster munitions on

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1536-578: The aircraft's close air support role. Transports have names starting with "C" (for "cargo"), resulting in names like "Condor" for the Antonov An-124 or "Candid" for the Ilyushin Il-76 . The initial letter of the name indicates the use of that equipment. The alphanumeric designations (eg AA-2) are assigned by the Department of Defense . The first letter indicates the type of aircraft, e.g., "Bear" for

1584-459: The airfield, and according to photographic evidence and satellite imagery, at least two Russian ground-based air defense systems destroyed, likely destroying two MiG-31s, destroyed a fuel farm and damaged one Su-27. On the morning of 16 May 2023, some six Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles were fired at Kyiv. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson said that they were launched from six MiG-31Ks. Ukraine claims that all Kinzhals were intercepted but one may have damaged

1632-508: The crew to eject at any altitude and airspeed. The MiG-31's main armament is four R-33 air-to-air missiles ( NATO codename AA-9 'Amos') carried under the belly. Serial production of the MiG-31 began in 1979. The MiG-31 entered operational service with the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) in 1981. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , MiG-31 aircraft have reportedly shot down several Ukrainian aircraft, mainly by using

1680-517: 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. 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 ) controls, liquid crystal (LCD) color multi-function displays (MFDs), ability to carry

1728-637: The first three days of the war both sides lost aircraft. The Ukrainians replaced them with older airframes that were made flyable. The Russian Aerospace Forces turned to the MiG-31 with the R-37M missile that has a range of 200 mi (320 km). Combined with the superior radar on the MiG-31, the Ukrainian Air Force has started losing more aircraft. A report by the Royal United Services Institute states that in October some six R-37Ms were being fired at

1776-421: The front of 225 kilometres (140 mi). Adopted in 1981 RP-31 N007 backstop (Russian: Zaslon ). The basic differences between other versions and the MiG-31BM are: 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

1824-461: 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 Ukrainian fighters lacking range, speed, or altitude necessary to engage the MiG-31. As of 8 September 2024, three MiG-31BMs have been visually confirmed as lost, with two being destroyed by Ukrainian missile strike on Belbek airfield in occupied Crimea on 15th of May 2024, and third crashed during takeoff on

1872-663: The most promising project. Work in this area now continues in R&;D and with wind tunnel models. Ilya Tarasenko, the general director of the MiG corporation, as well as the head of the Sukhoi company, said in an interview in July 2020 that the PAK DP will be created on the basis of the MiG-31 's design. According to Izvestia , the PAK DP is envisioned to become an interceptor of hypersonic missiles by carrying

1920-483: 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 said that work began on a Mach 4 capable MiG-41 based on the MiG-31. Later reports stated that the development of the MiG-31 replacement was to begin in 2017, with the first aircraft to be delivered in 2020, and the replacement entering service in 2025. Like

1968-483: The number of syllables indicates the type of the aircraft's engine. Single-syllable code names denote reciprocating engine or turboprop , while two-syllable code names denote jet engine . Bombers have names starting with the letter "B", and names like "Badger" ( Tupolev Tu-16 ), "Blackjack" ( Tupolev Tu-160 ) and "Bear" ( Tupolev Tu-95 ) have been used. "Frogfoot", the reporting name for the Sukhoi Su-25 , references

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2016-449: The same airfield on 1 October 2022, with satellite images showing clear visible wreck, with jet having ran off the end of the runway and fell off a cliff before exploding. 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;

2064-516: The same names as the corresponding land-based systems, but the US DOD assigns a different series of numbers with a different suffix (i.e., SA-N- versus SA-) for these systems. The names are kept the same as a convenience. Where there is no corresponding system, a new name is devised. The Soviet Union did not always assign official "popular names" to its aircraft, but unofficial nicknames were common as in any air force . Generally, Soviet pilots did not use

2112-586: The upgrade will increase the combat effectiveness of the aircraft several times over. 18 MIG-31BMs were delivered in 2014. The Russian military was to receive more than 130 upgraded MiG-31BMs, with the first 24 aircraft already delivered according to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov in his press briefing on 9 April 2015. Russia planned to start development of a replacement for the MiG-31 by 2019. The aircraft would be called PAK-DP (ПАК ДП, Перспективный авиационный комплекс дальнего перехвата – Prospective Air Complex for Long-Range Interception). Development of

2160-565: 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 Aerospace Forces crashed in the Leningrad region . On 2 December 2022, a MiG-31 of

2208-433: Was made to extend the service lifetime of the existing airframes from 2,500 to 3,500 hours. 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 at least Mach 3.2 with the risk of engine damage. Development of

2256-522: Was rumored to offset future reconnaissance aircraft currently being developed by the United States and China. To achieve high speeds, the aircraft would need to be equipped with ramjet or turboramjet engines. The design of the PAK DP was finalized by the end of 2019, at the same time the research work was completed. In 2020, within that research framework, the Russian Ministry of Defense selected

2304-409: 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

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