RuAviation

The development of the MiG-31 fighter-interceptor began at the Mikoyan Design Bureau in 1968. The MiG-31 was built according to the scheme of the MiG-25 aircraft, but with a crew of two people – a pilot and a navigator-operator, seated one behind the other. The MiG-31 prototype made its maiden flight on 16 September 1975.

Developed under the leadership of G.E. Lozino-Lozinsky, the interceptor was the world’s first aircraft with a phased-array radar system that allowed the MiG-31 to simultaneously track 10 targets and attack four of them. In addition, the interceptor is one of the fastest aircraft in world aviation, and in recent years the MiG-31 has become a carrier of the 9-A-7660 Kinzhal missile (in some sources, the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal). The MiG-31 entered service in 1981 and is still the backbone of Russia’s long-range air defence aviation.

In 1997, work began on modernisation of the MiG-31BM. The MiG-31B modification adopted for service in 1990 was taken as a basis. The most important element of the modification was the upgrade of the Zaslon-M airborne radar station. In the 1980s, the creation of the first version of this radar for the MiG-31 was a breakthrough moment in military aviation. It was the first active phased array radar installed on a jet fighter. Updated for the MiG-31BM Zaslon-M made it possible to detect air targets at a distance of up to 320 kilometres and defeat them at a distance of up to 280 kilometres.

In the cockpits of pilots appeared informative LCD-monitors, which displays tactical, navigation, radar and other information. The new avionics and the presence of a ‘glass’ cockpit expanded the capabilities of the MiG-31. Now it has become a combat unit, effectively interacting with anti-aircraft missile systems of air defence. The MiG-31BM was able to target air targets with guided missiles launched from other fighters approaching the enemy at the distance of the missile salvo in the radar silence mode.

RSC MiG continues to work on extending the MiG-31BM resource by several thousand flight hours. This will allow the interceptors to remain in service for about ten more years. The titanium hull resource of the aircrafts built about 30 years ago is practically inexhaustible. And taking into account the updated equipment and armament, the MiG-31BM will be able to be used by the Russian Armed Forces until a more modern replacement appears.