Posted on 08/27/2017 5:34:48 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
© Sputnik/ Mikhail Voskresens
The Russian MiG-31 interceptors are famous due to their ability to accelerate to an incredible speed of 3,000 kilometers per hour and operate at altitudes of more than 20 kilometers. In the next ten years, even more advanced MiG-41 long-range intercept aircraft, which is set to destroy targets in outer space, will replace it. The Russian MiG-31 interceptor is dubbed 'Foxhound' in the West. The aircraft are unique in all respects and still have no competitors in the world. They will cover Russia's air borders in the next ten years up until their decommissioning. Next generation MiG-41 will replace their place as Russia's main interceptor aircraft.
RIA Novosti's Andrei Stanavov explored the new features of the MiG-41 interceptor comparing to MiG-31 aircraft.
Masters of the Skies
The issue of resuming the production of the MiG-31 or developing a new high-altitude interceptor to replace it was discussed in the Russian parliament in 2013. This was the first time in history of the Russian lower house of parliament when a session was devoted to the fate of a specific weapon amid NATO's expansion to the east.
MiG-31 is indeed a very interesting aircraft, although it was developed in the early 1970s. Its motors accelerate the 40-ton machine to speeds close to hypersonic. It is equipped with a six-barrel 23-millimeter gun and six mounting points of a variety of air-to-air missiles. Its maximum combat load is nine tons. The upgraded MiG-31BM sees targets at a distance of 320 kilometers and reaches them with missiles at a range of 280 kilometers. Four interceptors in a group are capable of taking control of the airspace with a length of up to 1,200 kilometers along the front. The aircraft can intercept ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as low-flying orbiting satellites.
The production of the MiG-31 ended in 1994; Russia currently possesses more than 250 aircraft of different modifications.
Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Viktor Bondarev rejected the idea of resuming the production of interceptors, saying that it is better to invest in a new project than to restore the old one. It was decided to upgrade existing aircraft to the version to MiG-31BM and look for new solutions. Then, talks concerning a possible successor to the MiG-31 — a long-range intercept aircraft PAK DP have started.
Outer Space
Earlier reports suggested that the aircraft of the PAK DP project will be called MiG-41. At the same time, the interceptor will not become a product of the profound modernization of the MiG-31, but will be a "completely new aircraft." Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG Director General Ilya Tarasenko said on Tuesday that supplies of Russia's MiG-41 interceptor aircraft, known earlier as the PAK DP, will begin in the mid-2020s.
"The PAK DP is a logical development of our MiG-31 aircraft. Once contacted by the Defense Ministry, we will take up this project closely and I think that its deliveries will begin in the mid-2020s," Tarasenko said.
There is not very much known about the MiG-41 because everything about this plane, just like with all top modern military projects, remains classified.
Even though the MiG-31 is the fastest military aircraft around, it will eventually have to make way for newer and more advanced types of aircraft.
The MiG-41 will be hypersonic (reported speed — 4,500 km) and will be able to carry hypersonic missiles. It is also designed for the Arctic and could possibly be turned into a drone.
The MiG director general told earlier the Russian Zvezda TV channel that the aircraft will have unique combat capabilities, in particular, it will be invisible to enemy radars and even be able to work in outer space. He provided no further details. It is only known that some modifications of the MiG-31 are already capable of launching small satellites into near-Earth orbit.
According to the veteran test pilot of the USSR, Hero of Russia Anatoly Kvochur, speed and range of action, not maneuverability, are the main features of a high-altitude interceptor. He said that such aircraft could be also used for peaceful purposes, for example, eliminating space debris in low orbits.
"These planes are not designed to maneuver […], they are needed to give huge impetus to objects that they carry. It's their feature. Reaching high altitudes is important. There are hundreds of different satellites around the planet, some of them are no longer controlled and are considered to be space debris. In particular, such aircraft can be used to collect and destroy space debris," Kvochur told RIA Novosti.
It should be also noted that, in addition to eliminating reconnaissance aircraft and enemy bombers, high-altitude interceptors' goals remain to be the search and destruction of ballistic and cruise missiles as part of an air defense system. They have already proved their effectiveness in performing the task. In the summer, the MiG-31 successfully shot down a missile flying at an altitude of 12 kilometers at a speed three times the speed of sound.
Russia has the population and GDP of Mexico
Want!
But they seem to use their funding well, rather than just lining the pockets of defense contractors. They also do not practice putting incompetents in engineering and managerial positions for the purpose of Affirmative Action. Nepotism, yes, but that seems a lesser problem.
Very interesting but with some detectable level of slavic macho BS hocus pocus.
I’m intrigued, sure, but stealthy trans atmospheric, semi SPACE plane..?
come on, that’s Luke Skywalker material.
You are correct and I have always been totally amazed at how much they have been able to do with so very little.
with their corruption and decades-long screwed up system of incentives, how those Engineers have not all walk off the job, I have no idea.
Looks and sounds like a great airplane. One has to wonder though, whether an interceptor is necessary these days. The MiG 25 was designed to intercept our B1 supersonic bombers. They carried armament for only that purpose. They were said to be hopeless in a BFM environment. This looks and seems like a redux of that line of thought in a time when ICBMs and Air to Surface cruise missiles will probably dominate the strategic environment. Just my $.02.
A good rule of thumb is that it is easy to make things, but selling them is another matter.
The only thing Russia makes worth a damn for export are weapons. That includes aircraft.
Putin’s job is to sell that military stuff. To advertise it, he puts it on display. My concept of the Russian involvement in Syria is as a dog and pony show. Military attaches in Damascus embassies are carried all over Syria to places where they can observe the various good in action.
They drop forty year old bombs and fire thirty year old artillery shells that are otherwise worthless inventory. Thus, the real cost is minimal. The troops have to be fed and paid anyway.
The visiting Generals are wined and dined and offered deals and then sign on the dotted line. Twenty $$ down and fifty years to pay.
Gee, that means that they're only 33 years behind our ASAT capability. We had the ASM-135 ASAT weapon - launched from an F-15 - in 1984, which demonstrated a successful intercept of an orbiting satellite in September of 1985.
Actually, the Russians had an anti-satellite weapon (which was satellite based) way before we did. They demonstrated it where it was visible from the US. I know this to be true because I watched the demonstration. The guy in Russia who invented the weapon (a neutron beam) defected to the US and helped us build one shortly after. The US and Russia both have weapons in orbit, even though both countries signed a treaty prohibiting weapons in orbit.
“Gee, I wish we had one of those Doomsday Machines!”
The ASM-135 was cancelled after the successful test. It was created in response to Soviet ASAT tests in the 1970's which destroyed a number of satellite targets with ground launched missiles. Later, the Soviets built air launched ASAT missiles for the MiG-31.
But they do worship and serve their state-established Created Things.
Which is the Cause in the Technocracy - leading to the Effect...
http://freedomoutpost.com/lesbian-colonel-with-wife-kids-to-take-charge-of-usaf-academy/
“because of this, God gave them over”
—Romans Chapter 1
but no common core schools, our public schools over the last 60 years have destroyed our nation.
The MIG 41 will do 2796MPH, wow.
The MIG 25 was designed in response to Soviet fears regarding the B-70, not the B-1.
I'm curios how they plan to capture space debris going about 30,000 KPH when they are going 4.500 KPH.
The hype is strong with this article.
True. But the B70 was never operational.
That ASAT is long gone, and no replacement ever mentioned.
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