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MiG-31 Mikoyan Gurevich
MiG-31
ASCC codename: Foxhound
Interceptor

DESCRIPTION:
The MiG-31 was developed during the 1970s as an improved version of the MiG-25 supersonic fighter. The two-seat MiG-31 was foreseen as a high-speed interceptor to counter the threat of supersonic aircraft and cruise missiles flying at low-level. Though outwardly very similar to the MiG-25, the MiG-31 is largely a new design. The airframe has been strengthened for supersonic flight at low altitudes, new engines have been adopted, and a much more powerful tracking radar is installed.
The MiG-31 'Foxhound-A' started entering service in 1983 and soon began replacing older MiG-25 models. Production later switched to the improved MiG-31B series with various avionics updates. Numerous advanced models were also proposed including the MiG-31M with significantly enhanced avionics and weapons. Though the MiG-31M represented a major improvement over earlier production aircraft, only a handful were built and the aircraft never entered service.
Approximately 400 total MiG-31 aircraft were built for the Soviet Union and Russia. Some may have ended up in Kazakhstan after it gained independence, but they are not believed to be operational. Dedicated MiG-31E and MiG-31FE export models were also developed but none was successfully sold to foreign users.
Last modified 14 November 2004

HISTORY:

First Flight (Ye-155MP) 16 September 1975

Service Entry

1983

CREW:

1 pilot and 1 navigator/weapons officer

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length 74.44 ft (22.69 m)

Wingspan 44.17 ft (13.46 m)

Height 20.19 ft (6.15 m)

Wing Area 662 ft² (61.6 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty 48,115 lb (21,825 kg)

Typical Load 90,390 lb (41,000 kg)

Max Takeoff 101,850 lb (46,200 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: unknown
external: unknown

Max Payload

unknown

PROPULSION:

Powerplant two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning turbofans

Thrust

68,340 lb (303.8 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,865 mph (3,000 km/h) at 57,400 ft (17,500 m), Mach 2.83
at sea level: 930 mph (1,500 km/h), Mach 1.25

Initial Climb Rate unknown

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

Range typical: 650 nm (1,200 km) with max payload
ferry: 1,700 nm (3,300 km)

g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 23-mm GSh-23 cannon (260 rds)
(MiG-31M) none

Stations eight external hardpoints
(MiG-31M) ten external hardpoints

Air-to-Air Missile typical loadout includes four R-33/AA-9 Amos and two R-40/AA-6 Acrid or four R-60/AA-8 Aphid
(MiG-31M) usually carries six R-37/AA-9 Amos and four R-77/AA-12 Adder

Air-to-Surface Missile none

Bomb none

Other ECM pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

Ye-155MP MiG-31 prototype based on the Ye-155M advanced MiG-25 test aircraft

MiG-31 'Foxhound-A' First production interceptor model

MiG-31B 'Foxhound-A' Improved interceptor model with in-flight refueling capability, a new radar, an updated navigation system, and compatibility with the R-33S missile

MiG-31BS 'Foxhound-A' Original MiG-31 models upgraded to the MiG-31B standard

MiG-31E Proposed export model; 1 prototype built but production was cancelled

MiG-31BM Proposed upgrade program to add a surface-attack capability to MiG-31 interceptor models, includes radar upgrades for ground mapping and better resolution plus the ability to carry advanced air-to-surface missiles like the Kh-31, Kh-59, Kh-59M, and Kh-29T/L as well as more capable air-to-air missiles

MiG-31FE Proposed export version of the MiG-31BM

MiG-31M 'Foxhound-B' Significantly improved production interceptor with cockpit ehnacements, refined aerodynamics, wingtip ECM pods, uprated engines, increased fuel capacity, improved radar, two additional weapons hardpoints, and the ability to carry the improved R-37/AA-9 missile; at least 6 or 7 prototypes were built but further development appears to have have halted due to funding cuts

MiG-31D Anti-satellite interceptor designed to carry one or two missiles; cancelled

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

none

KNOWN OPERATORS:

Soviet/Russian Air Force

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

MiG-31

SOURCES:

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 635, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31.

Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 313-314, Mikoyan MiG-31 'Foxhound'.

FAS MiG-31 site

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 197, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 'Foxhound'.

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1995, p. 221-223, Ye-155MP, MiG-25MP, MiG-31, MiG-31M.

Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 180.

Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 172-173.

Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery

Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 78-81, MAPO MiG-31 Foxhound.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 80-82, Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO name Foxhound).

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 60-62, MAPO "MiG" MiG-31 (NATO name Foxhound).

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	Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-31 ASCC codename: Foxhound Interceptor

DESCRIPTION: The MiG-31 was developed during the 1970s as an improved version of the MiG-25 supersonic fighter. The two-seat MiG-31 was foreseen as a high-speed interceptor to counter the threat of supersonic aircraft and cruise missiles flying at low-level. Though outwardly very similar to the MiG-25, the MiG-31 is largely a new design. The airframe has been strengthened for supersonic flight at low altitudes, new engines have been adopted, and a much more powerful tracking radar is installed. The MiG-31 'Foxhound-A' started entering service in 1983 and soon began replacing older MiG-25 models. Production later switched to the improved MiG-31B series with various avionics updates. Numerous advanced models were also proposed including the MiG-31M with significantly enhanced avionics and weapons. Though the MiG-31M represented a major improvement over earlier production aircraft, only a handful were built and the aircraft never entered service. Approximately 400 total MiG-31 aircraft were built for the Soviet Union and Russia. Some may have ended up in Kazakhstan after it gained independence, but they are not believed to be operational. Dedicated MiG-31E and MiG-31FE export models were also developed but none was successfully sold to foreign users. Last modified 14 November 2004
HISTORY:
First Flight	(Ye-155MP) 16 September 1975
Service Entry	1983
CREW:	1 pilot and 1 navigator/weapons officer
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	74.44 ft (22.69 m)
Wingspan	44.17 ft (13.46 m)
Height	20.19 ft (6.15 m)
Wing Area	662 ft² (61.6 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	48,115 lb (21,825 kg)
Typical Load	90,390 lb (41,000 kg)
Max Takeoff	101,850 lb (46,200 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: unknown external: unknown
Max Payload	unknown
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning turbofans
Thrust	68,340 lb (303.8 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,865 mph (3,000 km/h) at 57,400 ft (17,500 m), Mach 2.83 at sea level: 930 mph (1,500 km/h), Mach 1.25
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	67,600 ft (20,600 m)
Range	typical: 650 nm (1,200 km) with max payload ferry: 1,700 nm (3,300 km)
g-Limits	unknown
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 23-mm GSh-23 cannon (260 rds) (MiG-31M) none
Stations	eight external hardpoints (MiG-31M) ten external hardpoints
Air-to-Air Missile	typical loadout includes four R-33/AA-9 Amos and two R-40/AA-6 Acrid or four R-60/AA-8 Aphid (MiG-31M) usually carries six R-37/AA-9 Amos and four R-77/AA-12 Adder
Air-to-Surface Missile	none
Bomb	none
Other	ECM pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
Ye-155MP	MiG-31 prototype based on the Ye-155M advanced MiG-25 test aircraft
MiG-31 'Foxhound-A'	First production interceptor model
MiG-31B 'Foxhound-A'	Improved interceptor model with in-flight refueling capability, a new radar, an updated navigation system, and compatibility with the R-33S missile
MiG-31BS 'Foxhound-A'	Original MiG-31 models upgraded to the MiG-31B standard
MiG-31E	Proposed export model; 1 prototype built but production was cancelled
MiG-31BM	Proposed upgrade program to add a surface-attack capability to MiG-31 interceptor models, includes radar upgrades for ground mapping and better resolution plus the ability to carry advanced air-to-surface missiles like the Kh-31, Kh-59, Kh-59M, and Kh-29T/L as well as more capable air-to-air missiles
MiG-31FE	Proposed export version of the MiG-31BM
MiG-31M 'Foxhound-B'	Significantly improved production interceptor with cockpit ehnacements, refined aerodynamics, wingtip ECM pods, uprated engines, increased fuel capacity, improved radar, two additional weapons hardpoints, and the ability to carry the improved R-37/AA-9 missile; at least 6 or 7 prototypes were built but further development appears to have have halted due to funding cuts
MiG-31D	Anti-satellite interceptor designed to carry one or two missiles; cancelled
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Soviet/Russian Air Force
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 635, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31. Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 313-314, Mikoyan MiG-31 'Foxhound'. FAS MiG-31 site Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 197, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 'Foxhound'. Gunston, Bill, ed. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1995, p. 221-223, Ye-155MP, MiG-25MP, MiG-31, MiG-31M. Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 180. Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 172-173. Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 78-81, MAPO MiG-31 Foxhound. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 80-82, Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO name Foxhound). Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 60-62, MAPO "MiG" MiG-31 (NATO name Foxhound).