MiG-31BM/Κ Interceptor/Attack aircraft: News

GunshipDemocracy wrote:

The Russian Defense Ministry signed a new contract for the modernization of MiG-31 fighter-interceptors

01/08/2019 10:05:03

      Moscow. January 8. INTERFAX-AVN - Work on the modernization of the next batch of fighter-interceptors in the guise of the MiG-31BM has already begun, a source in the aircraft industry told Interfax.
      "A new contract has been signed with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the overhaul and deep modernization of another fighter-interceptor batch in the MiG-31BM standard" said the agency’s source.
      According to him, the MiG corporation (included in the KLA) has already started work on modernization and will continue the implementation of this state order in 2019.
      On August 24, UAC President Yury Slusar told Interfax that the entire fleet of interceptor MiG-31s ​​will be upgraded by 2023.     “We expect that in the coming years, the VKS will receive a few dozen more modernized MiG-31BMs, so that by 2023 the entire existing fleet will be modernized,” Y. Slyusar said.
      According to some information, at present there are about 120 MiG-31s ​​in the Russian Aerospace Forces, plus about 150 more planes at storage bases. It is estimated that there are around 100 modernized MiG-31BMs in service today.
      The MiG-31BM supersonic fighter is designed for long-term patrols and combat high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, strategic bombers and low-flying targets. The aircraft is able to simultaneously hit 6 and accompany up to 10 air targets.

http://militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=499161


yuck, so 120 midenrized + 150 more? 270 long range BM interceptors? shiiit coool

No , noway, the number of stored MiG-31 is much less than 150 and not all are in conditions for modernization.
150 could be befrore the modernization BM included the +/- 60 MiG-31 stored at ARZ 514 , for parts/canibalization


The modernization MiG-31BM for the VKS has been completed in real terms in 2018

The number of MiG-31 in service are:
VKS
Akhtubinsk: 2 BM + 10K
Savasleyka: 12 BM (after losing 1 BM)
Ts.Uglovaya: 24 BM
Kansk: 24 BM (after losing 3)
Perm: 24 BM
Khotilovo: 24 BM known
Total: 110 BM and 10 K
NAVY
Monchegorsk: 10 BM (after relocate several BM to other bases)
Yelizovo: 10 not nodernized, to replace son (half DZ)

Then total in service today are 140 MiG-31  (120 BM + 10K + 10 not modernized)

Also , Sokol Plant have about 10 BM of SAP-2018 pending to transfer , probably to Yelizovo

http://redstar.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/005-18-01-2019.pdf?attempt=1

Pilots of the Kamchatka Fighter Aviation Squadron are ready for new challenges. And they, undoubtedly, will take place, because, first, we returned to the Arctic seriously and for a long time. Secondly, in the near future, a squadron under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Koderle will receive deeply modernized MiG-31 BCM aircraft, which possess higher technical capabilities and combat potential. And that means: Kamchatka "falcons" are waiting for new tests in the Arctic, which are difficult and therefore especially interesting.

IN STORAGE (by september 2018)

Yelizovo: 20 mostly old versions for recycling (+ 10 not modernized still in service)
Knevichi: 7
Tsentralnaya Uglovaya: 12 (several DZ)
Perm: 9 (mostly DZ)
Khotilovo: 5 (DZ)
4020 Reserve Base - Lípetsk: 24 (some DZ)
514 ARZ - Rzhev : 20 MiG-31 and several MiG-25. These airplanes are old versions for the use of ARZ

This is 98 in storage (+10 in service) , total 108 not modernized


However, the next modernization of "several dozens" will be MiG-31K from the remaining MiG-31DZ (about 50).
The most probably is send one squadron of MiG-31K to North Fleet to complete Monchegorsk MiG-31 regiment , and other MiG-31K squadron to complete Yelizovo
In VKS i think is posible one MiG-31K regiment for Long Range Aviation

The MiG-31B were modernized between 2008 and 2013 (45 remaining machines of 54 received from USSR in 1992)
MiG-31BS have been almost completely modernized since 2014 until 2018 (near 90 of about 100 upgraded in the early 90´s)

The older versions of MiG-31 will be used for recycling/parts/canibalization to keep in active the fleet of MiG-31BM

GunshipDemocracy wrote:

AMCXXL wrote:

Max. tested speed of MiG-31 is abput 3000 km/h or 2,83 mach (at altitude +/- 11.000 meters, sound speed is 295 m/s or 1062 Km/h)

no it is not, 31BM has ability to fly 3,400km/h.  One of reasons ws heating of canopy which ws replaced.  Info form Zvezda TV

MiG-31 was tested at 2,83 at altitude

Physics are clear:
Sound speed at sea level: 340 m/s or 1225 Km/h
Sound speed at 11.000m: 295 m/s or 1062 km/k

MiG-31 has mach 2,83 max. tested or about 3.000 km/h
3400 km/ is about 2,8x1220, but this is a mistake

At sea level MiG-31 has  about 1.500 km/h max. speed or 1,23 mach


Is a common mistake of journalists convert mach speed to km/h speed supposing sea level speed (340m/s) instead sound speed at altitude (295m/s)

Tsavo Lion wrote:For large UAVs like the RQ-4/-170 &  the MiG-31 is a good platform to engage.

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Also, the U-2s r still active & the USAF will eventually get the SR-72:
[i]As of January 2018, the U.S. Air Force budget for 2018 had indefinitely postponed the retirement of the U-2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2#Operational_history

that's why MiG-41 is built for.

BTW would it be a ram/scram jet with water injected to inlet to cool down incoming air + prevent engine form thermal choking?

The MAI proposed a scheme for a hypersonic water engine.

It is assumed that the accelerator with water on board will lift a space rocket to an altitude of about 40 km and accelerate to seven speeds of sound.
MOSCOW, January 19. / TASS /. In the branch "Vzlet" (city Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan region) of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) have developed a scheme of a hypersonic water engine. The concept is given in the theses of the report of the company's employees, which will be presented at the Academic Cosmonautics Readings (to be held January 29 - February 1). Abstracts are published on the website of the Moscow State Technical University (MSTU) them. N. E. Bauman where the event will take place.

The report describes such a phenomenon for air-jet engines as hyperforcing, obtained at supersonic and hypersonic flight speeds due to the supply of water to the engine entrance. Moreover, water not only improves the performance of the motor, but also protects against overheating, the publication notes.

https://tass.ru/kosmos/6017891

AMCXXL wrote:
Is a common mistake of journalists convert mach speed to km/h speed supposing sea level speed (340m/s) instead sound speed at altitude (295m/s)

We dont talk about the same, Im afraid. You re talking bout MiG-31 Im talking bout MiG-31BM.

Nobody was mixing Mach number with km/s It was in Voyennya Priomka on Zvezda TV. They clearly stated: max speed now is 3,400km/h
Which is BTW 3,2 Ma

The original MiG-31 could fly at mach 2.4 for as long as it liked, but mach 2.6 for 20 minutes only and mach 2.83 for 5 minutes only due to excess heating.

If the improvements allow mach 3.2 flight speed is that thrust limited or heat limited?

BTW would it be a ram/scram jet with water injected to inlet to cool down incoming air + prevent engine form thermal choking?

Water injection is also used on very large bombers to increase thrust on take off... it creates thick black smoke however.

The MiG-25 uses alcohol injection at high speeds to prevent engine overheating... I would assume it is more efficient than water for cooling...

The nickname of the MiG-25 was restaurant...

Nice piece on the MiG-31M

http://naukatehnika.com/mig-31m.html

Half an hour to the pole: high-speed fighters took control of the Arctic

Russia resumes patrolling airspace in the Arctic Ocean

In 2019, after thirty years, the Ministry of Defense will resume patrolling the airspace in the North Pole area. Some of the fastest airplanes in the world, MiG-31BM interceptor fighters, will take up combat duty. They received the nickname “Fox Hound” for their unique flight characteristics. MiG-31BM develops speed up to 3 thousand km / h and is able to catch up with any existing military aircraft. Squadrons of the Northern and Pacific fleets will operate in the Arctic skies, which will allow controlling the entire Arctic region. According to experts, the air corridor over the Arctic is especially important, as a potential enemy from this direction can strike at areas of the Urals, Siberia and Central Russia.

As they told Izvestia in the Ministry of Defense, until the end of 2019, two squadrons of MiG-31BM Northern and Pacific fleets will take up combat duty. In 2018, a series of tactical flight exercises were conducted to patrol the Arctic zone. The experience of using these aircraft in the Arctic region was considered successful. During the exercises, the crews were in the air for five hours or more, the flight was also made over a distance of more than 4 thousand km. During the flight, refueling was carried out in the air, without which patrolling of this desert region is impossible.

Full article
https://iz.ru/838095/aleksei-ramm-aleksei-kozachenko/polchasa-do-poliusa-skorostnye-istrebiteli-vziali-arktiku-pod-kontrol

dino00 wrote:Half an hour to the pole: high-speed fighters took control of the Arctic

Russia resumes patrolling airspace in the Arctic Ocean

In 2019, after thirty years, the Ministry of Defense will resume patrolling the airspace in the North Pole area. Some of the fastest airplanes in the world, MiG-31BM interceptor fighters, will take up combat duty. They received the nickname “Fox Hound” for their unique flight characteristics. MiG-31BM develops speed up to 3 thousand km / h and is able to catch up with any existing military aircraft. Squadrons of the Northern and Pacific fleets will operate in the Arctic skies, which will allow controlling the entire Arctic region. According to experts, the air corridor over the Arctic is especially important, as a potential enemy from this direction can strike at areas of the Urals, Siberia and Central Russia.

As they told Izvestia in the Ministry of Defense, until the end of 2019, two squadrons of MiG-31BM Northern and Pacific fleets will take up combat duty. In 2018, a series of tactical flight exercises were conducted to patrol the Arctic zone. The experience of using these aircraft in the Arctic region was considered successful. During the exercises, the crews were in the air for five hours or more, the flight was also made over a distance of more than 4 thousand km. During the flight, refueling was carried out in the air, without which patrolling of this desert region is impossible.

Full article
https://iz.ru/838095/aleksei-ramm-aleksei-kozachenko/polchasa-do-poliusa-skorostnye-istrebiteli-vziali-arktiku-pod-kontrol

Nothing new, already there are two squadrons of MiG-31 in Monchegorsk (North Fleet , 98º Composite Regiment) and Yelizovo (Pacific Fleet , 317º Composte Regiment) , and in fact the Mochegorsk squadron have MiG-31BM (Type-28 = with refueling) since 2011


The question is Yelizovo is waiting the MiG-31BM (type 58/78) for this year, after conversión of pilots
There are pending to transfer to the Navy about 10 MiG-31BM of the planning of SAP-2018, usually after the winter
The first photo of one of them:

https://russianplanes.net/id244188
МиГ-31БМ  Бортовой: 67  Россия (СССР) - ВМФ ,  (c) Дмитрий SherHunter 2018





I think that in near future, Monchegorsk and Yelizovo will have a second squadron of MiG-31 each (probably MiG-31K) and both units will complete and restore the former regiments : 174º IAP (fighter regiment) in Monchegorsk and the 865º IAP in Yelizovo

GunshipDemocracy wrote:

AMCXXL wrote:
Is a common mistake of journalists convert mach speed to km/h speed supposing sea level speed (340m/s) instead sound speed at altitude (295m/s)

We dont talk about the same, Im afraid. You re talking bout MiG-31 Im talking bout MiG-31BM.

Nobody was mixing Mach number with km/s  It was in Voyennya Priomka on Zvezda TV.  They clearly stated: max speed now is 3,400km/h
Which is BTW 3,2 Ma

MiG-31 and MiG-31BM have the same performance because are the same airplane
The production line was closed in 1994
The engines are stored engines or canibalized from other airplanes


In al airplanes the max.speed is during test , with a given load and fuel and for a limited time. (in other case the engines could burn)

The usual is any machine (airplane, car etc...) can have the better and sustained performance at about 80% of max. tested


Perhaps the only serial airplane capable for 3400 km/h was SR-71
Zvezda is a journal where write journalist.
The tested speed of MiG-31 was 2,83 Mach and MiG-25 a little higher, probably near mach 3 or 3200 km/h
This is not the press, or Wikipedia, is the performance declared oficially in Defence Comission of the Russian State Duma (Congress)

AMCXXL wrote:
Zvezda is a journal where write journalist.
The tested speed of MiG-31 was 2,83 Mach and MiG-25 a little higher, probably near mach 3 or 3200 km/h
This is not the press, or Wikipedia, is the performance declared officially in Defence Comission of the Russian State Duma (Congress)

1)

Zvezda TV is an official media outlet of Russian MoD

2)

I've never heard any information about top speed of MiG-31BM from Duma, if you have could you please share one?  

3)

TV Zvezda ( not voyennna priyomka - sorry ): made  a coverage from assembly plant where MiG-31s are upgraded to BM standard.    

0:20 Valery Cvetkov , general manger of plant, company Sokol, a MiG subsidiary: It was clearly stated that MiG-31BM hs refurbished fuselage but all installations are virtually new

1:20 Reporter says:  Canopy's   heating was the  issue why top speed could not be  sustained. The new canopy is result of work of couple of scientific institutions. Now there is no problem with overheating and MiG-31 can fly 3,400km/h

1:55 Vladimir Kirasov, dept tech manger of Sokol: Currently (i.e. after modernization)  there are no speed restrictions  and aircraft can fly according to design specs.


Of course you can believe in other sources then MoD but I prefer to stick to Russian MoD ones.

All aircraft have limits... practical and artificial...

For instance all those claims of enormous airframe hours for western aircraft are usually based on serious limits for use... ie no high g operations and no high speed operations and no operating from short rough air strips etc etc.

For the MiG-25 and the MiG-31 that replaced it, high speed flight was an important aspect of its operational role, so speed restrictions were not about airframe life, they tended to be more about temperature limits of the engine and the various airframe components including the canopy.

The flight speed limits for the MiG-25 are engine related, and while the limits for the MiG-31 always were claimed to be engine related it is certainly possible that they were canopy related too.

In fact it would be interesting to test and get experience with some of these new metals they talk about like the high temperature aluminium in aircraft like the MiG-31... it is a beast of an aircraft but was always heavy due to the use of steel in its structure to resist high temperatures instead of more expensive materials like Titanium. That was of course a conscious choice to keep down costs and make maintenance easier and cheaper... I remember some western experts claiming it was because of a lack of capability, but at the time they were making entire submarines out of titanium so I doubt that was the problem...

Heavenly Guard - reliable barrier

http://redstar.ru/nebesnaya-strazha-nadyozhnyj-zaslon/

http://www.interfax-russia.ru/Moscow/main.asp?id=1005966

February 13. Interfax-Russia.ru - The air fleet of the Northern Fleet received two upgraded MiG-31 interceptor fighters, the press service of the Northern Fleet reported.

"Two MiG-31 fighters replenished the squadron of a separate mixed air regiment of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Northern Fleet after modernization," said the press officer.

"In total, in the winter period of training for 2018-2019, the regiment received eight such vehicles that are already involved in the planned combat training of the flight personnel," the press service of the Northern Fleet said.

PapaDragon wrote:
Kinzhal?

Its nothing about version there but since RuN aviation shall complete 2 interceptor squadrons till end of 2019 thus most likely MiG-31BM.
Later 2 squadrons will be developed into regiment (AFAIK regiment = 3 squadrons)


BTW below check infogrph bout Kinzhal
https://iz.ru/845274/2019-02-13/severnyi-flot-poluchil-dva-modernizirovannykh-istrebitelia-mig-31

Two MiG-31BM  Nº25 and Nº38 , arrived to Yelizovo
(VIDEO inside)
https://structure.mil.ru/structure/okruga/east/news/more.htm?id=12218143@egNews  

Pacific Fleet naval aviation has filled up two upgraded high-altitude interceptor MiG-31BM fighter

Today, two high-altitude fighter-interceptor MiG-31BM, which are part of a mixed aviation regiment, returned to the airfield of naval aviation of the Pacific Fleet Yelizovo after repair and modernization.

In the course of factory repair with modernization, the avionics and radio electronic systems of the aircraft were updated, the tactical characteristics of the interceptors were improved, which increased their combat capabilities.

Returning to the duty station, a pair of fighter-interceptors made a long flight over a distance of more than 7 thousand kilometers.
The renewed aircraft in Kamchatka was met by Commander-in-Chief and forces in northeast Russia, Rear Admiral Alexander Yuldashev. He congratulated the crews on a safe return home and wished the pilots success in the service.

It is planned that by the end of this year, the naval aviation of the Pacific Fleet will be strengthened by several more modernized MiG-31BM fighters.

PapaDragon wrote:

AMCXXL wrote:http://www.interfax-russia.ru/Moscow/main.asp?id=1005966

February 13. Interfax-Russia.ru - The air fleet of the Northern Fleet received two upgraded MiG-31 interceptor fighters, the press service of the Northern Fleet reported.
.............

Kinzhal?

Perhaps , could be the 8 MiG-31K of Akhtubinsk since this winter have not been seen more new BM
The squadron of Monchegorsk had 10 BM and need other 2 BM for complete.
It is probable that the second squadron will be of MiG-31K

https://iz.ru/845274/2019-02-13/severnyi-flot-poluchil-dva-modernizirovannykh-istrebitelia-mig-31

Northern MiG: a fighter regiment will be created in the Arctic
MiG-31 will adopt a dagger hypersonic missile

It is not clear how many MiG-31BS are remaining for the modernization, but I dont thnk that enough for complete 2 regiments in Monchegorsk and Yelizovo , probably only enough for 2 squadrons, and the next two squadrons with MiG-31K (that also have refueling probe)

Also it is likely that those 8 MiG-31BM received in Monchegorsk this winter , are the own previous planes of Monchegorsk after maintenance in Repair Plant since the airplanes of squadron of Monchegorsk were the first modernized, between 2008 and 2011

MiG-31BM with R-37M in the regular unit.

So, R-37M are now operational. I hope we will soon see them on Su-35 and later on Su-57 as well.

https://iz.ru/838095/aleksei-ramm-aleksei-kozachenko/polchasa-do-poliusa-skorostnye-istrebiteli-vziali-arktiku-pod-kontrol

Now it should be called "Arctic Fox"!

The F-117 was made of metal was it not stealthy?

The R-37M will climb to altitude and fly at high speed at high altitude... I rather doubt the AWACS would see it coming as it wont be looking up it will be looking out and down...

But as mentioned even if it does spot it at long range it wont be able to do much until it is coming down in a steep dive on the AWACS aircraft from rather high altitude...

It is a shame they only have two by two instead of the three by two of the MiG-31M design... ah well...