Mikoyan MiG-31

. "Type: Interceptor

Powerplants: MiG-31 — Two 151 .9kN (34,170lb) with afterburning Aviadvigatel (now Solovyev)
D-30F6 turbofans.

Performance: MiG-31 - Max speed Mach 2.83 or 3000km/h (1,620kt), max speed at sea level
1500km/h (810kt) max cruising speed at altitude Mach 2.35, economical cruising speed Mach
0.85. Time to 32,800ft 7mm 54sec. Service ceiling 67,600ft. Combat radius with four R-33 AAMs and max internal fuel at
Mach 2.35 720km (388nm), radius with four R-33s and external fuel at Mach 0.85 1400km (755nm). Ferry range with
external fuel 3300km (1780nm). Endurance with external fuel 3hr 35mm.

Weights: MiG-31 — Empty 21,825kg (48,115lb), max takeoff 46,200kg (101 ,850lb).

Dimensions: MiG-31 — Wing span 13.46m (44ft 2in), length 22.69m (74ft 5in), height 6.15m (20ft 2in). Wing area 61.6m2
(663.0sq ft).

Accommodation: Pilot and weapon systems operator in tandem.

Armament: One GSh-6-23 23mm cannon. Four R-33 (M-9 ‘Amos’) long range AAMs carried under the fuselage. Four
underwing hard-points (two earlier) can carry two R-40T (AA-6 ‘Acrid’) AAMs on inner pylons and four R-60 (AA-8 ‘Aphid’)
AAMs on outboard pylons (carried two in tandem).

Operators: Russia

History: The advanced MiG-31 two seat interceptor is designed to counter low flying strike aircraft and cruise missiles.

Development of this massive interceptor began in the 1970s, although the MiG-31 was first conceived as a single tail swing
wing design, and then a tailless canard delta. In the end a design based on the MiG-25 was settled upon and a
development aircraft, the Ye-155MP, flew for the first time on September 16 1975. Production MiG-31 ‘Foxhound-A’s were
delivered from 1979 and 280 were built to replace Su-15s and MiG-23s.

While the MiG-31’s airframe is based on the MiG-25, it is a really a new aircraft, with several design changes and
differences. Unlike the MiG-25, the MiG-31 is powered by afterburning turbofans. Its air frame construction is made up of
nickel steel (50%), light alloy (33%) and titanium (16%). The MiG-31 is also the first production aircraft to feature an
electronically scanned phased array radar — the SBI 16 Zaslon (‘Flash Dance’) — which is operated from the second
cockpit by the dedicated weapon systems operator. It can track up to 10 targets and engage four simultaneously. Via
datalink the MiG-31 can be controlled automatically by a ground control interceptor. Other changes include a retractable in-
flight refuelling probe (on later production aircraft), an internal gun and tandem main undercarriage.

The improved MiG-31M has been under development since 1984 and has flown in prototype form, but not been ordered
into production. It features a new radar, no gun, two centreline hardpoints, R-37 (a derivative of the R-33) and R-77 (PA-1
2) AAM compatibility, a massive 25,000kg (114,638lb) max takeoff weight and three color CRTs in the rear cockpit. One
has been observed with wingtip ECM pods. The MiG-31D designation covers new and converted aircraft similar to the M
but with the original radar."

(source: Text and/or technical data from The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 1996/97, by Gerard Frawley and
Jim Thorn. Published by Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd.)

Length 22.7m
Wingspan 13.464m
Height 6.15m
Weight Empty 21 825kg
Max T/O 101 850kg
Max Speed Mach 2.83
Range 3300km
Ceiling 20 600m
Powerplant two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 turbofans
Thrust 303.8kN
Customers CIS 300

MiG-31 Tech. Specs.

Crew: 2
Length, m: 22,69
Height, m: 6,15
Wing span, m: 13,46
Wing area, mІ: 61,6
Weight empty, kg: 21820
Weight max, kg: 41000
Max fuel, kg: 15500
Service ceiling, m: 20600
Take-off speed, km/h: 260
Landing speed, km/h: 260
Max mach at sea level: 1,1
Max mach at height: 2,35
G limit: 5,0
Max wing loading, kg/mІ: 665,6
Max power loading, kg/kN: 135
Max rate of climb at sea level, m/s: 250
Range with max internal fuel, km: 3300
Armament: GSh-6-23 gun, 9000 kg on 3 external pylons

AVIATSIONNYI NAUCHNO-PROMYSHLENNYI KOMPLEKS MiG

MiG-31

NATO reporting name: Foxhound

Type
Air superiority fighter.

Programme

Designed as a long-range, extended-endurance PVO interceptor to replace the Tu-128 ad MiG-25. Development began in
1967 and the S-155MP avionics complex was ordered for the Ye-155MP interceptor in 1968. First flown, as Ye-155MP
(originally Type 83 MiG-25MP) `831', 16 September 1975; second prototype (`832'), with radar, first flew 22 April 1976.
Two preproduction aircraft (011 and 012) built by Sokol and flown 13 July and 30 June 1977; six development aircraft (201
to 203 and 301 to 303). Full production (of about 450) started 1979; first of 11 regiments operational 1983, replacing MiG-
23s and Su-15s; production has ceased at Sokol Aircraft Building Plant (formerly GAZ-21), Nizhny Novgorod, though the
Sokol plant has stated its willingness to reinstate production to meet even small orders. Mikoyan is offering modernisation
programme to bring in-service MiG-31s to MiG-31M levels of capability, including integration of R-37 AAM.

Current Versions

MiG-31 (Type 01; `Foxhound-A'): Two-seat, all-weather, all-altitude interceptor, able to be guided automatically, and to
engage targets, under ground control. Designated MiG-31DZ or MiG-31 01DZ when fitted with AAR probe.
Detailed description applies to the above version.
MiG-31B (Type 01B Izdeliye 12): Second production and service variant with improved Zaslon-A radar, ECM and EW
equipment and with upgraded R-33S missiles. Replaced 01/01DZ in production in late 1990. Avionics upgrade includes A-
723 long-range navigation system, compatible with Loran/Omega and Chaika ground stations.
MiG-31BS (Type 01BS): Designation applied to Type 01/01DZ when converted to MiG-31B standard.
MiG-31E: Export version of basic Type 01. Prototype (`903') first noted 1997; simplified systems, no active jammer,
downgraded IFF, radar and DASS. Offered to China, India and other countries.
MiG-31F: Projected multirole interceptor and fighter-bomber using a range of TV-, radar- and laser-guided ASMs. MiG-
31F, FE and BM will all have improved air-to-air capability, with a radar upgrade based on technology developed for
Zaslon-M of the MiG-31M. This will give a detection capability against ultra-high-speed targets (M6+), and much longer
range, as well as better resolution and various new synthetic aperture and real-beam mapping modes for the variants' new
air-to-ground role. New versions will also have compatibility with advanced AAMs, including R-77 (AA-12 `Adder') and
long-range R-37. Revised cockpit layout includes new HUD, pilot's tactical situation display - MFI-68 152 Ч 203 mm (6 Ч 8
in) colour LCD MFD - and three similar MFDs for the navigator. Some sources also suggest upgraded MiG-31s will
incorporate structural modifications to increase service life.
MiG-31BM: Designation applied to proposed defence suppression variant based on MiG-31F. Demonstrator (14306 `58'),
shown August 1998 with standard R-33S AAMs under fuselage, R-77, Kh-58 and Kh-31P underwing. Possible
replacement for MiG-25BM in Russian Air Forces service. Designation now applied to single-role interceptor upgrade with
K-37M and K-77M AAMs and new cockpit displays, to be applied to in-service MiG-31B. Two MiG-31BMs built by Sokol,
but were inactive at MiG's test airfield in late 2000, awaiting funding.
MiG-31FE: Export version of MiG-31BM or MiG-31F. Alternative designation MiG-31MF.
MiG-31LL: Ejection seat testbed (Red `79') used by LII.
MiG-31M (Type 05; possibly `Foxhound-B'): Improved interceptor, under development since 1984; first prototype (`051')
first flew 21 December 1985; first shown publicly February 1992; upgraded engines, with modified nozzles; one-piece
rounded windscreen; small side windows only for rear cockpit (though dual controls are fitted); wider and deeper dorsal
spine, containing 300 litres (79.3 US gallons; 66.0 Imp gallons) of additional fuel; more rounded wingtips, with flush
dielectric areas at front and rear; taller fins with larger, curved root extensions; modified and extended wingroot leading-
edge extensions; smaller wing upper-surface fences; all systems upgraded; digital flight controls; multifunction CRT cockpit
displays; new multimode Phazotron Zaslon-M phased-array radar, with 1.40 m (55 in) diameter antenna, in 3є 30'
downward-inclined nose; detection range of 360 km (224 miles); retractable flight refuelling probe transferred to starboard
side of nose; non-retractable pod with collimated IRST and laser ranger.
No gun; number of fuselage weapon stations increased to six, by addition of two centreline stations with R-37 AAMs in
addition to side-mounted R-37s or older R-33s; four new-type underwing pylons for R-77 (AA-12 `Adder') active radar-
guided AAMs. First prototype, produced by conversion of MiG-31B `503' lost on 9 August 1991; five or six more prototypes
(051 to 057), at least one (057) with cylindrical wingtip ECM/ECCM jammer pods carrying upper and lower winglets.
Maximum T-O weight 52,000 kg (114,640 lb), with increased-thrust D-30F6M engines to compensate. Internal fuel 16,350
kg (36,045 lb).
Two MiG-31D (Type 07) dedicated anti-satellite models (numbered 071 and 072) were produced and flight-tested in 1986,
with ballast instead of radar in nose, a flat fuselage undersurface without recesses, large winglets above and below
wingtips, and underwing Vympel ASAT missiles.
MiG-31S: Commercial small satellite launch variant, with Fakel OKB Micron missile capable of delivering a 100 kg (220 lb)
payload into a 200 km (124 mile) orbit or a 70 kg (154 lb) payload into a 500 km (311 mile) orbit. The type could also
launch the Aerospace Rally System rocket-powered suborbital glider, for astronaut training, upper atmosphere research or
space tourism.
MiG-31Eh: Ehksport (export) version for China, proposed 2000, and announced at Zhuhai Air Show 6 November 2000.

Customers

Russian Federation and Associated States (CIS) Air Forces, including 320 with Russian air defence forces and tactical
units; 30 with Kazakhstan. First production aircraft to training unit at Svostleyka; initial operational regiment at Pravdinsk.
Others reportedly ordered by China; persistent reports of interest from Iran and Syria.

MiG-31 CURRENT OPERATORS

Unit Base

Russia

High Command Air Defence Forces

148th Combat Training and Conversion Centre

786th IAP Pravdinsk

Moscow Air Defence Region

153rd IAP Morzhansk

790th IAP Khotilovo

5th Independent Air Defence Corps

764th IAP Bolshoi-Savino

 6th Independent Air Defence Corps

174th GvIAP Monchegorsk

180th GvIAP Gromovo

458th IAP Kotlas

11th Independent Air Defence Corps

Unidentified IAP Dolinsk Sokol (Sakhalin)

Unidentified IAP Yelizovo (Petropavlovsk)

12th Independent Air Defence Corps

83rd IAP Rostov-na-Donu

Unidentified Independent Air Defence Corps

Unidentified IAP Bratsk (Novosibirsk)

Kazakhstan

356th IAP Zhana-Semey (Semipalatinsk)

Notes: IAP is Istrebitel'nyi Aviatsionny Polk (Fighter Aviation Regiment)

All units have a small number of MiG-25Us for training
Air Defence Corps are in process of being incorporated into Air Armies and integrated with Regiments formerly assigned to
Frontal Aviation

Design Features

Initiated to counter threat of USAF B-52 bombers carrying ALCMs. Basic MiG-25 configuration retained, but very different
aircraft, with two seats; strengthened to permit supersonic flight at low altitude; more powerful engines than MiG-25; major
requirement increased range, not speed; advanced digital avionics; Zaslon radar was first electronically scanned phased-
array type to enter service, enabling MiG-31 to track 10 targets and engage four simultaneously, including targets below
and behind its own location; fuselage weapon mountings added.
Wing anhedral 4є from roots; sweepback approximately 41є on leading-edge, 32є at quarter-chord, with small, sharply
swept wingroot extensions; all-swept tail surfaces, with twin outward-canted fins and anhedral on horizontal surfaces.

Flying Controls

Large-span ailerons and flaps; leading-edge slats in four sections on each wing; all-moving horizontal tail surfaces; inset
rudders.

Structure

Airframe 49 per cent arc-welded nickel steel, 16 per cent titanium, 33 per cent light alloy; 2 per cent composites, including
radome; three-spar wings; no wingtip fairings or mountings; small forward-hinged airbrake under front of each intake trunk;
undersurface of centre-fuselage not dished between engine ducts like MiG-25; much enlarged air intakes; jet nozzles
extended rearward; shallow fairing extends forward from base of each fin leading-edge; fence above each wing in line with
stores pylon.

Landing Gear

Retractable tricycle type; offset tandem twin KT-175 wheels with 950Ч300 tyres on each main unit, retracting forward into
air intake trunk, facilitate operation from unprepared ground and gravel; rearward retracting twin nosewheel unit with
mudguard and with twin KT-176 wheels with 660Ч200 tyres.

Power Plant

Two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 turbofans, each 93.1 kN (20,930 lb st) dry, 151.9 kN (34,170 lb st) with afterburning; internal fuel
capacity 19,940 litres (5,268 US gallons; 4,386 Imp gallons) in seven fuselage tanks, four wing tanks and two fin tanks.
Provision for two underwing tanks, each 2,500 litres (660 US gallons; 550 Imp gallons); semi-retractable flight refuelling
probe on port side of front fuselage.

Accommodation

Pilot and weapon systems operator in tandem under individual rearward-hinged canopies; rear canopy has only limited
side glazing and blends into shallow dorsal spine fairing which extends to forward edge of jet nozzles. Pilot's ejection seat
has heated backrest to allow extended ground alert.

Avionics

Comms: R-862 UHF, R-864 HF, P-591 voice warning system, SPU-9 intercom; SRO-2P IFF transmitter and SRZ-2P
receiver; SO-69 transponder.
Radar: NIIP N007 S-800 SBI-16 (RP-31) Zaslon or Zaslon-A electronically scanned phased-array fire-control radar (NATO
`Flash Dance') in nose; search range of 108 n miles (200 km; 124 miles) in clutter-free forward sector; range in rear sector
48 n miles (90 km; 56 miles); capable of tracking 10 targets and attacking four simultaneously.
Flight: A312 Radikal-NP or A-331 Shoran, A-723 Kvitok-2 Loran. Marshrut long-range and Tropik medium-range nav
systems. ARK-19 radio compass, RV-15 radar altimeter, RPM-76 marker beacon receiver.
Mission: In four-aircraft group interception mission, only lead MiG-31 is linked to AK-RLDN automatic guidance network on
ground; other three MiG-31s have APD-518 digital datalink to lead aircraft, permitting line-abreast radar sweep of zone 430
to 485 n miles (800 to 900 km; 495 to 560 miles) wide by 140є sector scanning angles. Semi-retractable Type 8TP IR
search/track sensor under cockpit; tactical situation display. BAN-75 command link; APD-518 digital air-to-air datalink;
Raduga-Bort-MB5U15K air-to-ground tactical datalink; SPO-155L RHAWS; Argon-15 digital computer.

Equipment

Active IR and electronic countermeasures including UV-3A flare dispensers.

Armament

Four R-33 or R-33S (NATO AA-9 `Amos') semi-active radar homing long-range AAMs in pairs on AKU ejector pylons
under fuselage, plus two R-40T (AA-6 `Acrid') medium-range IR AAMs on inner underwing pylons; four IR R-60 (K-60, AA-
8 `Aphid') AAMs on outer underwing pylons, in pairs. R-33s are semi-recessed in fuselage. GSh-6-23M six-barrel Gatling-
type 23 mm gun inside fairing on starboard side of lower fuselage, adjacent main landing gear, with 260 linkless rounds.

Dimensions, External

Wing span 13.465 m (44 ft 2 in)

Wing aspect ratio 2.9

Length overall 22.69 m (74 ft 51/4 in)

Height overall 6.15 m (20 ft 21/4 in)

Tailplane span 8.80 m (28 ft 101/2 in)

Wheel track 3.90 m (12 ft 91/2 in)

Wheelbase 7.40 m (24 ft 31/4 in)

Areas

Wings, gross 61.60 m2 (663.1 sq ft)

Weights and Loadings

Weight empty 21,820 kg (48,105 lb)

Internal fuel 15,500 kg (34,170 lb)

Max T-O weight:

with max internal fuel 41,000 kg (90,390 lb)

with max internal fuel and two underwing tanks 46,200 kg (101,850 lb)

Max wing loading 750.0 kg/m2 (153.61 lb/sq ft)

Max power loading 152 kg/kN (1.49 lb/lb st)

Performance

Max permitted Mach No. at height 2.83

Max level speed: at 17,500 m (57,400 ft) 1,620 kt (3,000 km/h; 1,865 mph)

at S/L 810 kt (1,500 km/h; 932 mph)

Max cruising speed at height M2.35

Econ cruising speed M0.85

Landing speed 141 kt (260 km/h; 162 mph)

Time to 10,000 m (32,810 ft) 3 min

Service ceiling 20,600 m (67,600 ft)

T-O run at max T-O weight 1,200 m (3,940 ft)

Landing run 800 m (2,625 ft)

Radius of action with max internal fuel and four R-33

missiles:

at M2.35 388 n miles (720 km; 447 miles)

at M0.85 647 n miles (1,200 km; 745 miles)

at M0.85 with two underwing tanks 782 n miles (1,450 km; 901 miles)

at M0.85 with two underwing tanks and one flight

1,185 n miles (2,200 km; 1,365 miles)
refuelling

Ferry range, max internal and external fuel, no

1,780 n miles (3,300 km; 2,050 miles)
missiles

Max endurance with underwing tanks:

unrefuelled 3 h 36 min

refuelled in flight 6-7 h

g limit +5

SOKOL - SOKOL NIZHEGORODSKY AVIATSTROITELNYI ZAVOD AOOT (Sokol Nizhny Novgorod Aircraft
Manufacturing Plant JSC)

MANUFACTURER DETAILS

ulitsa Chaadaeva 1, 603035 Nizhny Novgorod

Tel: (+7 8312) 46 71 27
Fax: (+7 8312) 22 19 25
e-mail: contact@sokol.nnov.ru
Web: http://www.sokol.nnov.ru

General Director: Vasily H Pankov

Chief Engineer: Valery Drobyshevski
Head of Marketing: Aleksandr E Zaitsev

Founded (as GAZ 21) on 1 February 1932, this production plant concentrated on fighter aircraft manufacture until the start
of the konversiya programme led to retooling for civilian production; registered as a JSC on 22 September 1994. Joined
Kaskol group of companies in 2000. From 1949, in collaboration with the Mikoyan OKB, it manufactured 2,148 MiG-15s
(1949-51), 2,470 MiG-17s (1951-54), 1,125 MiG-19s (1955-58), 5,278 MiG-21s (1957-85) and 1,186 MiG-25s (1966-85).
Russian government holds 38 per cent of shares, which equivalent to 50.5 per cent of voting rights; Rossiysky Credit and
Credit Suisse are remaining major (voting) shareholders. Current or recent products include the MiG-29UB, MiG-31 and
Yak-130 jet trainer; 90 per cent of Yak-130 tooling in place by mid-2000. It is also responsible for supplying kits for
upgrading 125 Indian Air Force MiG-21s to MiG-21-93 standard, with an initial order for 36 (see Jane's Aircraft Upgrades
for details). Agreement reached in July 2000 on upgrading half of Russian Air Forces' 280 MiG-31s.
Civilian programmes include manufacture of the Myasishchev M-101 Gzhel six-seat turboprop light aircraft, a prototype
AeroRIC Dingo amphibious aircraft with air cushion landing gear and Avia Accord twin-engined light multipurpose aircraft;
plans also exist for Myasishchev M-202 production. Plans to build MiG-110 twin-turboprop transport apparently not
overtaken by announcement in early 2000 of its reallocation to MAPO and discussions on continued participation in
programme under way with RSK MiG in mid-2000. Production of the Eurospace F-15-F Excalibur four-seat touring aircraft
was halted at an early stage when a contract for almost 100 was cancelled; some 20 airframes remained at Nizhny
Novgorod in June 2000, when 10 sold to undisclosed buyer.
Other products include WIGE craft, air cushion vehicles and hydrofoils. Offers `familiarisation' flights in MiG-29UB, MiG-
21U and L-29 Delfin. Employment (including part-time) was 11,000 in 2000.

(source: Jane's 2001-2002)