What is the future for Mig-31?

[Haavarla]

I've read something about a Mig-31 BM that is currently in trials at The 4th CBPiPLS as we speak.
Witch type of upgrades can we expect to see and how many will be upgradet?

[SkolZkiy]

as I've read - it will have new radar and most of all avionics will be changed
so max range of hitting target class "fighter" will be 280 km.
there is info in Russian in web but i don't know is there something in english
all RAF MiG-31 will be modernized to MiG-31 BM (something like 300 planes)

[Feanor]

It will remain in service for probably the next 2 decades. If funds are found it will be modernized, otherwise it won't. But chances are that it's the last of it's class, and no 5th. gen replacement will be developed.

[SkolZkiy]

no. there are plans to develop new fighter of this class, may be supersonic.
besides of it's pssibilities to intercept aircrafts and missiles it has a function of flying command center. something like little AWACS.

[Haavarla]

no. there are plans to develop new fighter of this class, may be supersonic.
besides of it's pssibilities to intercept aircrafts and missiles it has a function of flying command center. something like little AWACS.

I'm confused here..
The Mig-31M with its 56tonnes is classed Heavy Fighter/interceptor yes?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiG-31

Wiki:

"Development of a more comprehensive advanced version, the MiG-31M, began in 1983 and first flew in 1986, but the collapse of the Soviet Union prevented it from entering full production. Since 1991 and especially since 2000, most of the existing aircraft have been upgraded to the MiG-31M standard, also adding some additional features like Global Positioning System (GPS) and GLONASS receivers, and three colour CRT MFDs in the rear cockpit.[5] (In the VVS, aircraft designations are often repeated through the years; for example, the Su-35 'Flanker-E' and Su-37 'Flanker-F' are both designated "Su-27M".)

It was the heaviest interceptor in the world, with a maximum takeoff weight on 56 tonnes. It was even heavier than a commercial Tu-134 which has a maximum takeoff weight of 49 tonnes."




The 5 gen. PAK-FA will be somewhere between the Su-27 and Mig-29 weight ratio yes?
And is classed Medium fighter?

[Feanor]

no. there are plans to develop new fighter of this class, may be supersonic.
besides of it's pssibilities to intercept aircrafts and missiles it has a function of flying command center. something like little AWACS.

Sources please.

[SkolZkiy]

Feanor sorry but I always read something in the RUnet and before I registered here i was no need to save links. From this time I'll do it. But as I said there are just plans which were announced but several highly ranked millitaries and I haven't any exact info about this. This is about the plans of building next generation of MiG-31
as for my words about "little AWAACS" - in russian sources it is everywhere
http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/МиГ-31
this is wiki.

[Feanor]

Oh no, I know it has datalink and can act as a mini-airborne command center. Truth to be told, all modern planes have datalink capabilities and can network to the point where any fighter can be a "mini-command center". I was curious about the replacement plans you mention. Replacement plans imply a new heavy high altitude, high speed, interceptor? Or did you just mean that the PAK-FA will replace the MiG-31 in VVS service?

[stigmata]

as for my words about "little AWAACS"- in russian sources it is everywhereNot hard to see them as "little AWAC's" Iran uses the F-14 for that purpose, and the radars are about as powerful, really impressive :)

[SkolZkiy]

Yes Feanor it MiG-31 will be replaced with PAK-FA or one of its modification because we have no money right now to develop such analog of MiG-31 but there was a program MiG MPD - next generation MiG-31 but the the programm is freezed according to lack of money. may be it will be built but not till the program PAK-FA fully finished and russian economy become more powerful.

Yes many fighters use datalink but their systems are not as powerful as Mig-31 one's.

[Feanor]

You mean to tell me that the ~20 year old datalink on the Foxhound is inferior to datalink for the Raptor?

[SkolZkiy]

I am talking about MiG-31BM and at least MiG-31M and you are talking about MiG-31 =) I think there is a difference.

[Haavarla]

I am talking about MiG-31BM and at least MiG-31M and you are talking about MiG-31 =) I think there is a difference.

Do you have any numbers regarding how many Mig-31 BM we will se?
And some spec's about it?

[SkolZkiy]

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig31bm.html

I have no exact info about numbers but it was adopted in 1999. I doubt there many of them according ofcause to the lack of money. But Lipetsk Training center get at least 2 of them this. Other real sources that says about any new fighters are not available.

[Haavarla]

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/mig31bm.html

I have no exact info about numbers but it was adopted in 1999. I doubt there many of them according ofcause to the lack of money. But Lipetsk Training center get at least 2 of them this. Other real sources that says about any new fighters are not available.


Ok, keep us posted if u do come over any material of the Mig-31 BM status?
I'm curious about the engine, range and radar upgrade:)

[SkolZkiy]

http://www.army.lv/?s=102&id=336
try to read this. about it's systems - google in russian =))

Adopted - 1999

General characteristics
Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 22.67 m
Wingspan: 13.46 m
Height: 6.15 m
Wing area: 61.6 m²
Empty weight: 21,820 kg (48,100 lb)
Loaded weight: 42,400 kg
Max takeoff weight: 48,200 kg
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 at Mach 2.35 (450 mi)
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

[Feanor]

The BM modernization program is currently in a stasis. As far as I know, there are no major plans or contracts for modernization. I don't know if any will come eventually, or if the Foxhounds will just be phased out as is.

[Haavarla]

The BM modernization program is currently in a stasis. As far as I know, there are no major plans or contracts for modernization. I don't know if any will come eventually, or if the Foxhounds will just be phased out as is.


Ok, expected that was the case..

I beleve there is a small amount, something like 4 Mig-31 BM that exist today.

Wiki:
"Some upgrade programs have found their way in the MiG-31 fleet, like the MiG-31BM multirole version with upgraded avionics, new multimode radar, hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls, liquid-crystal (LCD) color multi-function displays (MFDs), ability to carry the AA-12 'Adder' missile and various Russian air-to-ground missiles (AGMs) such as the AS-17 'Krypton' anti-radiation missile (ARM), a new and more powerful computer, and digital datalinks. However, only very small number of Russian aircraft have been upgraded to the MiG-31BM standard, although others have been equipped with new computer and the ability to carry the R-77 long-range missile as well"


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-31

[Feanor]

Like it was mentioned earlier, 2 are in Lipetsk in a testing unit. Time will tell whether that turns into anything or not.

[SkolZkiy]

in other thread VIKTOR posted that there are more than 40 MiG-31BM and the program already functions
here is link
http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7193&page=5

[Feanor]

He provided no sources, and is contradicted by a quite authoritative source: Moscow Defense Brief.

Programs to modernize the majority of these aircraft have already gotten underway, though financing has to date been insufficient. The state armament program for 2007–2015 projects the modernization of 408 frontline aircraft. As of today the Air Force has received about 36 modernized Su-27SM fighters, 11 Su-24M2 frontline bombers, 10 Su-25SM assault bombers, and two MiG-31 interceptor-fighters. The majority of these modernizations are limited and relatively inexpensive.

This was early 2008. Since then, more modernized Flankers should have been delivered, and possible more modernized Su-24 and Su-25 planes. I doubt more Foxhounds have been delivered but I suppose it's possible. 40 is a bit unrealistic to put it midly.

http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/1-2008/item2/article3/

[SkolZkiy]

This looks like a true =) The main problem for now is not the lack of money - the main problem is in people =)

[Feanor]

I suppose. Though a modernization order shouldn't be hard to fill even for a relatively broken down facility. Even NAPO, who still can't Fullback production going, managed to upgrade some Fencers.

[Haavarla]

I suppose. Though a modernization order shouldn't be hard to fill even for a relatively broken down facility. Even NAPO, who still can't Fullback production going, managed to upgrade some Fencers.


Yes, maybe one of those slooow rate upgrades.
I think the Mig-31 deserves a service extension, depending on what the upgrades involves of course..

I would like it's mission range increased, more weapons stations, newer engines, newer systems overall and maybe loose some tonns of weight too:)

The 2 engines Aviadvigatel D-30F6 is the same that's on the Su-47 i belive.
A lot of thrust, but they just use awfull lot of fuel too..

[Viktor]

He provided no sources, and is contradicted by a quite authoritative source: Moscow Defense Brief.



This was early 2008. Since then, more modernized Flankers should have been delivered, and possible more modernized Su-24 and Su-25 planes. I doubt more Foxhounds have been delivered but I suppose it's possible. 40 is a bit unrealistic to put it midly.

http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/1-2008/item2/article3/

Yes I dont have link but belive it or not I have read about 40 modernized MIG-31BM and ongoing modernization to that lvl long time ago ... This new modernization ( some call it MIG-31M2 and some MIG-31BM) you are refering on now is more advanced version of BM modernization than one I mention before althrow they have same name.

You should note that MIG-31 has to mutch different verzions .. from MIG-31/B/BS/F/FE/BM/M ... etc ... so as you see from this BM verzion already existed once before ... and that version is NOT the verziot to witch MIG-31 are now being modernized. This new verzion has brand new radar and one new 200km AoA missile that no one has ever seen ... only words from Sergey Ivanov. :(

[Viktor]

The BM modernization program is currently in a stasis. As far as I know, there are no major plans or contracts for modernization. I don't know if any will come eventually, or if the Foxhounds will just be phased out as is.

There are plans for modernization of entire MIG-31 fleet by 2020 althrow by the pace they are on to now they will never finished it ... another problem is discrepancy of Russian journalist witch are known to be able to report two similar but still different information about the subject in short period of time without being able to spot any anomaly.

[Feanor]

Viktor post some sources. I know about the MiG-31M, but as far as I know there is only one aircraft designated MiG-31BM. Post the plans, and I mean modern ones, about the 2020 date. Post some sources about the delivery of 40 MiG-31BM.

[Haavarla]

Yes I dont have link but belive it or not I have read about 40 modernized MIG-31BM and ongoing modernization to that lvl long time ago ... This new modernization ( some call it MIG-31M2 and some MIG-31BM) you are refering on now is more advanced version of BM modernization than one I mention before althrow they have same name.

You should note that MIG-31 has to mutch different verzions .. from MIG-31/B/BS/F/FE/BM/M ... etc ... so as you see from this BM verzion already existed once before ... and that version is NOT the verziot to witch MIG-31 are now being modernized. This new verzion has brand new radar and one new 200km AoA missile that no one has ever seen ... only words from Sergey Ivanov. :(


The Mig-31 BM that is currently in trials at The 4th CBPiPLS is the NEW Bolsya modernization, Mig-31 BM!

I dont think it's the only one in it's kind, maybe 2-4 others exist, but with some older upgrades possibly.. I'm not sure here, Information is sparse on these Mig-31's..