Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 31 FoxHound

The MiG-31 story starts all the back from the MiG-25. The Mig-25 interceptor was designed to counter the mach 3 high altitude U.S. XB-70 Valkyry supersonic strategic bomber. While the XB-70 did fly it was cancelled but the Mig-25 went into production. The Mig-25's top speed is Mach 2.8, while it has been tracked at mach 3.2 on radar the engines would need to be replaced afterwards. While it has an impressive top speed, it's turning performance left a lot to be desired (though this was not a design criteria) and with the lack of the B-70 to intercept it's use in it's intended role was limited. What it did excell at is in reconnisance.The Mig-25R (recon version) production began in 1969. In this aircraft the nose radar was deleted and replaced with five cameras and a SLAR installation. The Mig-25RB is a development of the basic Mig-25R and entered service only a year after the Mig-25R and quickly became the standard version. In this version bombing capability was added. It's automatic bombing system is capable of making all-weather, day and night precision attacks at supersonic speeds from heights above 65 000 ft against targets whose geographic coordinates are known. The Mig-25RB is not equipped with either guns of AAMs as it was thought that it's operating ceiling and speed were enough protection. The Mig-25RB can carry three different types of interchangable reconnisance/intelligence pods in it's nose, offering combinations of cameras and SLAR Another versions if the Mig-25F. This aircraft entered service in 1988 and has a dielectric panel aft of the nose radome and is a 'wild weasel' type defence suppression aircraft armed with teh AS-11 Kilter anti-radar missile. The MiG-25 was becoming a new aircraft, and so, it gained a new Code. The MiG-25 FoxBat developed into the MiG-31 FoxHound. The MiG-31 is an all weather, all altitude, two seat interceptor with advanced digital avionics. The first Mig-31 flew in 1975 with a Zaslon radar that was the first electronically scanned phased array type radar to enter service in the World. It could scan 200 km forward and track 10 targets simultaneously. This radar could also tract and engage target flying behind and below the Aircraft. Mig-31 Foxhound The Mig-31M is an improved version of the basic MiG-31. It includes the new SBI-16 Zaslon radar. What make the MiG-31 such an effective aircraft is not features such as agility (which it is not renowned for) or speed (which it has plenty of!) but in it's weapons system of which the radar is a major part. The Zaslon antenna is of the fixed type, instead of being mechanically directed the radar beam is moved electronically. This allows the full fuselage diameter to be used for the antenna, since antenna diameter and effective operating range are directly related it is a great advantage. Electronic steerage of the radar beam is faster than can be performed mechanically, it is also more accurate. All signal processing is digital. As stated before the radar can track 10 targets and engage 4, the mission computer automatically selects the four most threatening targets. The MiG-31 can engage targets spread over a greater area than can its Western equivalent, the F-14. Due to the MiG-31's impressive radar, speed and ability to carry long range missiles they can cover a large swathe of territory. In a flight of four aircraft MiG-31s can cover a 900km front, sharing information through a digital data-link. They can also act as an AWACs directing other fighters to targets. For emission free detection the MiG-31 is deployed with an IRST. On the standard MiG-31 this is semi retractable but on the MiG31M it is non retractable. This long range fighter (fitted for in flight refueling) is one of the most expensive fighters that Russia has produced. It is used only by Russia. The cockpits were upgraded in the MiG-31M with a number of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) and an increased number of missiles. . Specifications Developer Mikoyan OKB Type Interceptor Crew 2 Power Plant Aviadvigatel D-30F6 Wingspan 13.46 m Length W/Probe 22.69 m Inflight refueling . Performance Action Data Ceiling 2800 km Max TOW 46200 kg Payload 4000 kg Top speed Mach 2.8 at Sea Level 1500 km/h at height 3000 km/h Range at superspeed 1,140 mi Range at subspeed 1,010 miles . Armament Type Number Placement Auto cannon 23-mm gun 260 rds Nose R side R-77 2 Wingtip Tech Points R-27 4 Outerwing Tech points R-73 4 Outerwing Tech Points R-60 4 Wingtip & Outetermost Tech Point *R-40 2 Wingtip Tech Points *R-33E 6 4 U Fuselarge 2 U Innerwing Tech Points Specifications Description Data Developer Type Crew Power Plant Wingspan Length Inflight refueling Weight Radar Performance Action Data Ceiling Max Tow / Max Lift Payload Topspeed at sea level at hight Cruise Combat Radius Armament / Ordanace Type Size Max Placement . . .