Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound

The Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound is a supersonic interceptor fighter designed in 1975 to replace the Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat.

Description
Despite being labeled as an 'improved Foxbat' in reality the MiG-31 is a completely new aircraft, with greater capability than the MiG-25; although its maximum speed is reduced to keep from red lining and potentially damaging its engines. The development of the MiG-31 began in the mid-1970s and by September 16, 1975 the first prototype flew.It was initially designed to intercept the Mach 3 capable XB-70 Valkyrie and other strategic bombers before the can deliver their payload.

Current Operators

 * Kazakhstan
 * Kazakhstan Air Force has 33 in serKazakhstan_mig31.jpg, 10 to be refurbished.
 * Russia
 * Russian Air Force 286 in service, 100 in reserve.
 * Russian Naval Aviation

Possible Operators

 * Syria
 * Syrian Air Force ordered eight MiG-31E aircraft in 2007. However, the order has been suspended in May 2009 reportedly either due to Israeli pressure or lack of Syrian funds.

Former operators

 * Soviet Union
 * Soviet Anti-Air Defence
 * Soviet Air Force aircraft passed on to Russia and Kazakhstan in 1991

General Characteristics

 * Crew: Two (pilot and weapons system officer)
 * Length: 22.69 m (74 ft 5 in)
 * Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)
 * Height: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)
 * Wing area: 61.6 m² (663 ft²)
 * Empty weight: 21,820 kg (48,100 lb)
 * Loaded weight: 41,000 kg (90,400 lb)
 * Max takeoff weight: 46,200 kg (101,900 lb)
 * Powerplant: 2× Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofans
 * Dry thrust: 93 kN (20,900 lbf) each
 * Thrust with afterburner: 152 kN (34,172 lbf) each

Performance

 * Maximum speed:
 * High altitude: Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/h, 1,860 mph)
 * Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)
 * Combat radius: 720 km (450 mi) at Mach 2.35
 * Ferry range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)
 * Service ceiling: 20,600 m (67,600 ft)
 * Rate of climb: 208 m/s (41,000 ft/min)
 * Wing loading: 665 kg/m² (136 lb/ft²)
 * Thrust/weight: 0.85
 * Maximum g-load: 5 g

Armament

 * 1× GSh-6-23 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds.
 * Fuselage recesses for 4× R-33 Amos or (for MiG-31M/BM only) ×6 R-37 Arrow long-range air-to-air missiles.
 * Four underwing pylons for a combination of:
 * two R-40 Acrid medium-range missiles, and
 * 4× R-60 Aphid or
 * 4× R-73 Archer short-range IR missiles, or
 * 4× R-77 Adder medium-range missiles.
 * Some aircraft are equipped to launch the Kh-31 Krypton and Kh-58 Kilter anti-radiation missiles in the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) role.