The Mig-31 is an improved version of the Mig-25. Completely redesigned to intercept low flying supersonic aircraft and cruise missiles. Although at first glance very similar to the Mig-25, the airframe has been adapted for low altitude supersonic flight with new engines and more powerful radar. Conceived of as an interceptor with long range missiles, the Mig-31 Foxhund entered service in 1983. Improved variants of the Mig-31 were built and new rumours of it being sold to the Syrians have often been claimed.
Built by Mikoyan design bureau, the NATO reporting name of Foxhound is similar to its cousin the Mig-25 Foxbat. First flight tested September 16, 1975 and attained active service in 1982 with the Russian Airforce. 500 units were built at a unit cost of approximately 60 million UDS. Although greatly feared in the west as a formidable new weapon. The Foxhound's abilties came at some sacrifice. It has been often reported as a difficult plane to fly and manoeuver. it's turbojet engines propelled the Mig-31 to an astonishing Mach 2.5, with a top design speed of Mach 3.2, although this would result in the destruction of the engines.
Comments from afficianadoes:
A Mig-25 once destroyed itself with an 11.5G manuever, and the Mig-31 has even great aerodynamic refinement. It’s lack of manueverability is not nearly as bad as some would have you believe; 5G’s at mach 2.83 is far superior to the 1.5G’s the SR-71 is limited to. In fact, an AV-8B cannot pull more than 4G’s in a sustained turn in level flight at sea level, you normally see those really high G’s in quick turns or on machines like the F-22, which can actually turn tightly enough to enter it’s own ass. In any case, the foxbat/hound can only outmanuever really REALLY sluggish designs such as the Panavia Tornado, which is less manueverable than an F-4. It’s engines get their best performance at mach 2+ and below that they are anemic, and combined with the immense weight from all that steel construction, it’s best when not asked to turn tightly.
Also, doesn’t a Zeppelin have a turn radius of 0? a Ferrari F50 can’t turn around in that area.
Comment by JaderVason — December 18, 2006
Sources :
Wikipedia
Aerospaceweb
Literary sources
- Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 635, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31.
- Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 313-314, Mikoyan MiG-31 'Foxhound'.
- Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 197, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 'Foxhound'.
- Gunston, Bill, ed. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1995, p. 221-223, Ye-155MP, MiG-25MP, MiG-31, MiG-31M.
- Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 180.
- Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 172-173.
- Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery
- Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 78-81, MAPO MiG-31 Foxhound.
- Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 80-82, Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO name Foxhound).
- Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 60-62, MAPO "MiG" MiG-31 (NATO name Foxhound).
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