Mach 2.8 (or Mach 2.35 cruise). This
interceptor is intended for autonomous
operations with or without the support
of a ground-controlled intercept (GCI)
network, for protection against attack
by cruise missiles launched from heavy
bombers or submarines.
After the initial prototype was
flown on September 16, 1975, the
Nizhny Novgorod plant built 519
MiG-31s between 1976 and 1994.
The first unit equipped with the type,
the now-disbanded 786th Fighter
Aviation Regiment based at Pravdinsk
near Nizhny Novgorod, became
operational in 1983.Sharper ‘Foxhound’
In 2007, the Russian Aerospace Forces
(VKS) ordered the upgrade of the first-
batch MiG-31BM ‘Foxhounds’, and the
initial two were delivered to Savasleyka
for combat evaluation on March
20, 2008. The main thrust of the BM
upgrade was to enable the MiG-31 to
carry new types of air-to-air missiles, as
well as the introduction of new modes
and a range extension for the radar. In
2011, large-scale upgrades commenced
at Nizhny Novgorod; a handful of these
are also being completed at the Rzhev
repair facility.
Today, nearly all of the 120 remaining
MiG-31s have been upgraded. Work onLeft: The history
of the MiG-31 is
far from over
and there are
persistent reports
that we will see
new versions in
the future.
All photos
Dmitriy Pichugin
Below: The huge
exhaust cans
of the MiG-31 as
it gets airborne
with both D-30F-6
turbofans in full
reheat.http://www.combataircraft.net // March 2018 75
74-76 Russian Fighters MiG-31 C.indd 75 19/01/2018 15:20