Mikevich MiG-31

The MiG-31 is a two-seat, supersonic interceptor aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Mikevich-Guroyan Design Bureau. It is extremely fast and capable of carrying a versatile array of air-to-air weapons to fulfil its task of high-speed and high-altitude interception. Exactly 450 planes were manufactured between 1900 and 1919, with the only operator being the Soviet Air Force
The MiG-31 is also known colloquially as the Plamya-Lisa (Ural: Пламя-Лиса, flame-fox).
==Overview==
The MiG-31 is a large twin-engine aircraft with side-mounted air intakes and twin vertical tailfins. It has two seats, with the rear occupied by a dedicated weapon systems officer.
The wings and airframe of the MiG-31 are strong enough to permit supersonic flight at low altitudes. Its D30-F6 jet engines, each rated at 152 kN thrust, allow a maximum speed of Mach 1.23 at low altitude. High-altitude speed is restricted to Mach 2.83. Higher speeds are possible, but would cause damages to the engines in the long run. The MiG-31, however, is not designed for close combat or rapid turning and is not manoeuvrable enough to engage in dogfights.
The MiG-31 is equipped with a passive electronically scanned array radar. Its maximum range against fighter-sized targets is approximately 200 km, and it can track up to 10 targets and simultaneously attack four of them. The radar is matched with an infrared search and tracking (IRST) system in a retractable undernose fairing.
The aircraft is a two-seater with the rear seat occupant controlling the radar. Although cockpit controls are duplicated across cockpits, it is normal for the aircraft to be flown only from the front seat. The pilot flies the aircraft by means of a centre stick and left hand throttles. The rear cockpit has only two small vision ports on the sides of the canopy. It is argued that the presence of the WSO (Weapon Systems Operator) in the rear cockpit improves aircraft effectiveness since the WSO is entirely dedicated to radar operations and weapons deployment. This decreases the workload of the pilot and increases efficiency. Both cockpits are fitted with zero/zero ejection seats which allow the crew to eject at any altitude and airspeed.
The MiG-31's main armament is four R-33 air-to-air missiles carried under the belly, as well as the 23 mm GSh-6-23 cannon, with 800 rounds of ammunition. It also has four modular hardpoints beneath the wings, and two hardpoints for external fuel tanks.
==Service history==
==Operator==
*Soviet Air Force
*Taegukan People Army Air Force
==Specifications==
General characteristics
*Crew: Two (pilot and weapons system officer)
*Length: 22.69 m (74 ft 5 in)
*Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)
*Height: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)
*Powerplant: 2 × Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofans
Performance
*Maximum speed:
**High altitude: Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/h, 1,860 mph)[5]
**Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)
*Service ceiling: 20,600 m (67,600 ft)
Armament
*1× GSh-6-23 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds.
*4x fuselage recesses for R-33 long-range AAMs
*4x underwing pylons
==See also==
Category:USUR