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A two-seat supersonic interceptor, the MiG-31
derivative with an improved Zaslon-A weapons control system, superior long-range
missiles (R-33S), additional missile (the
R-40TD medium-range missiles and R-60 short-range missiles), modernised navigation
computer and new data exchange modes. MiG-31B was equipped with in-flight refuelling system
from airplanes - tankers of Il-78 or Su-24T. Time in flight with drop tanks - 3,6 h, with refuelling - 6-7 hours.
and in-flight refuelling system.
July, 30, 1987 test-pilot Roman Taskaev and test-navigation officer Leonid Popov for the first time in
world practice have flown by on a fighter - interceptor above North Pole on a
route Monchegorsk - Polus - Anadyr (Chukotka). It has been mass-produced at NGAZ Sokol since 1990.
MiG-31BS - that designation was given to the MiG-31s updated at Sokol plant to the MiG-31B aircraft capabilities, but not equiped with in-flight refuelling system.
In the beginning of 90th years because of shortage of means at Russia Ministry of Defence of purchase of
fighters the MiG-31 were stopped. It is constructed more than 500 interceptors,
more than 350 from which now are on arms of air force of Russia. Some tens
MiG-31 are present also in air force of Kazakhstan.
| Description | ||
|---|---|---|
| Design | OKB A.I.Mikoyan | |
| Type | MiG-31B | |
| NATO code name | Foxhound | |
| Function | long-range interceptor | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Length, m | 22,688 | |
| Overall height, m | 6,15 | |
| Wing Span, m | 13,464 | |
| Wing Area, m2 | 61,6 | |
| Wheel base, m | 7,113 | |
| Wheel track, m | 3,638 | |
| Take-off weight, kg | max. (2 drop tank) | 46200 |
| normal | 41000 | |
| empty | 21825 | |
| Internal fuel, kg | 16350 | |
| Warload, kg | 4000 | |
| Power-plant | ||
| Engines | 2 Turbofan D-30F6 | |
| Thrust, kgf (kN) | max | 9500 (91) |
| in afterburner | 15510 (152) | |
| Performance | ||
| Speed, km/h (M=) | max at ground level | 1500 |
| max at altitude 17500 m | 3000 (2,83) | |
| cruise | 2500 (2,35) | |
| Radius of action, km | supersonic (М=2,35) | 720 |
| subsonic without drop tank | 1200 | |
| subsonic with drop tank | 1400 | |
| subsonic with drop tank and refuelling | 2200 | |
| Ferry range, km | 3300 | |
| Barrage time, h | with drop tank | 3,6 |
| with refuelling | 6-7 | |
| Practical ceiling, m | 20600 | |
| Take-off run, m | 1200 | |
| Landing run, m | 800 | |
| Armament | ||
| Cannon | GSh-6-23M six-barrel 23 mm | |
| Missiles AA | R-33, R-33S | 4 |
| R-40TD | 2 | |
| R-73 | 4 | |
| R-60M | 4 | |
References and Credits: