MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MIG-31 FOXHOUND

First flown as the Ye-155MP (originally Type 83 MiG-25MP) on September 16, 1975.
Production started in 1979 to replace the MiG-23s and Su-15s.
Current in-service aircraft may also undergo a modernization programme to bring MiG-31 to MiG-31M capability, including the integration of the R-37 AAM.

Two-seat, all-weather, all-altitude interceptor with the ability to be remotely guided to engage targets from ground control.
Designated MiG-31 01DZ when fitted with AAR probe.

Upgraded engines with modified nozzles.
One-piece rounded windscreen.
Small side windows for rear cockpit (yet includes dual controls).
Wider and deeper dorsal spine.
Contains 300 litres (79.3 US gallons; 66 Imp gallons) of extra 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.
All systems upgraded.
Digital flight controls.
Multifunction CRT cockpit displays.
New multimode Phazotron Zaslon-M phased-array radar with 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, fuselage weapon stations increased to six.
The first prototype was lost on August 9, 1991 with five other functional prototypes.
Maximum T-O weight of 52,000 kg (114,640 lb) with increased-thrust D-30F6M engines.

Second production and service variant with improved radar, ECM and EW equipment and upgraded R-335 missiles.
Avionics upgrade includes A-723 long-range navigation system, compatible with Loran/Omega and Chaika ground stations.
Replaced Type 01/01DZ in production in late 1990.

Only two built.
A dedicated anti-satellite variant with ballast instead of radar in nose.
A flat fuselage undersurface with recesses, large winglets above and below wingtips, and underwing Vympel ASAT missiles.

Following applies to MiG-31 'Foxhound-A' (Type 01)

Initiated to counter threat of USAF B-52 bombers carrying ALCMs.
Basic MiG-25 configuration retained, yet a very different aircraft with two seats.
Structure strengthened to permit supersonic flight at low altitude.
More powerful engines than MiG-25.
Advanced digital avionics.
Zaslon radar was fist electronically scanned phased-array type to enter service, enabling the MiG-31 to track 10 targets and engage 4 simultaneously, with the ability to track targets below and behind its own location.
Fuselage weapons mountings added.

Airframe 49% arc-welded nickel steel, 16% titanium, 33% light alloy, 2% composites, including radome.
Small forward-hinged airbrake under front of each intake trunk.
Undersurface of centre-fuselage not dished between engine ducts like MiG-25.
Much enlarge air intakes.
Jet nozzles extended rearward.
Shallow fairing extends forward from base of each fin leading-edge.

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 of 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.

Four R-33 (NATO AA-9 'Amos) semi-active radar homing long-range AAMs in pairs on AKU ejector pylons under fuselage.
Two R-40T (AA-6 'Acrid') medium-range IR AAMs on inner underwing pylons.
Four IR R-60 (K-60, AA-8 'Aphip') 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:
Wing span:	13.465 m	44 ft 2 in
Length overall:	22.69 m	74 ft 5 Ľ in
Height overall:	6.15 m	20 ft 2 Ľ in
Tailplane span:	8.80 m	28 ft 10 ˝ in
Wing area:	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/external fuel:	46,200 kg	101,850 lb
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:	Mach 2.35
Economic cruising speed:	Mach 0.85
Service ceiling:	20,600 m	67,600 ft
Radius with max internal fuel and four R-33 missiles:
At M2.35:	388 n miles	720 km; 447 miles
At M0.85:	64 7 n miles	1,200 km; 745 miles
Ferry range, max internal fuel:	1,780 n miles	3,300 km; 2,050 miles