MiG-31BM "Foxhound"

* AFD
* AFD Storm
* AFD Strike

"*Improvements to the MiG-25 gave this plane better maneuverability and an extended range. It's almost a completely new plane.*"
―Harry's description of this plane in the shop.
The **Mikoyan MiG-31** (NATO reporting name of **Foxhound**) is a recurring aircraft in the *Airforce Delta* series, it has appeared in all three games. In *Strike*, the **MiG-31BM** variant appears. This is a specialized multirole variant with multiple improvements. It is usable by Rick Campbell in *Strike*, and is used by three O.C.C. aces (Francine Davout, Leon Kleiser and Jake Emerson).

## Origin (Real-Life)

The Mikoyan MiG-31 is a Russian interceptor, designed as an improvement over the **MiG-25** (NATO reporting name of **Foxbat**). This aircraft is much more robust and sturdy compared to the Foxbat, and although it's not as fast in the raw sense of the term, it is far more practical, and can go more than one flight without burning its engines out. This aircraft stirred a fuss in the US during the Cold War, with an aircraft this fast believed to be a major threat. This would lead to the 1982 film *Firefox*, which had a super plane known as the **MiG-31 Firefox**. However, these statements grossly over-exaggerated the aircraft. The Foxhound is strictly an interceptor, and is very poor at dogfighting.

## Design

A very large and boxy craft. This craft has two somewhat small wings, two gigantic rear engines, and straight vertical stabilizer. The profile of the craft is very long.

## Performance

### *Airforce Delta*

One of the fastest planes in the game. This plane is surprisingly decent everywhere else stat-wise. It's not up to the MiG-29's level of mobility, but speed is a huge point for this craft. However, it really only has one major use, and that's for the mission High-Velocity Recon Planes. Otherwise, the so-so stats of the plane bogs it down in the end. Nothing horrible, but outclassed.

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

An alright plane. Rather insultingly, it's unlocked by completing The Rising Threat... Which would have been a *perfect* place to use this plane. But alas, it's not meant to be. It's superior to the MiG-25 Foxbat at least, and stats overall aren't horrible. It's got a decent range of 3 as well.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

A high-speed interceptor for Rick. Stats this time around have been unfortunately nerfed. Mobility is now a bit more realistic (that is to say, trash). It still has great speed and thrust, but... Nothing else is noteworthy. It DOES have almighty LR-AAMs... But it's kind of a bitter pill to swallow. Once you unlock the Su-37, this thing will basically be completely replaced. Again, compared to the MiG-25PDS "Foxbat E", the stats are overall superior, and it has vulcans as opposed to the Foxbat. This version of the MiG-31 is a multirole, which may seem useful, but the poor defensive stats and mobility will hamper any anti ground operation you want to plan. Use something else for ground work, like the MiG-27 or the TSR2.

## Statistics

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

 **Range:** | 3

*Note: There are no differences in stats between the US and PAL versions.*

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

(Clockwise starting from top)

 **Speed:** | High

## Enemy Appearance (Missions)

### *Airforce Delta*

* Enemy MiG-31s appear in High-Velocity Recon Planes and The Ice Floe Base. They are optional targets in both missions.

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

* Enemy MiG-31s appear in all four Bomber Intercept missions, and Fortress on the Sands. They are not required targets in any of these missions.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

* This aircraft is used quite frequently. Leon uses this in Big Bird, and Francine and Jake use this plane in all of their mission appearances (until the Space missions).

## Gallery

### *Airforce Delta*

Enemy MiG-31 from High-Velocity Recon Planes.Ditto, plus emblem.Enemy MiG-31 from The Ice Floe Base.Ditto, plus emblem.
### *Airforce Delta Storm*

Picture, plus stats.MiG-31BM Foxhound wallpaper.MiG-31BM Foxhound collage.Enemy MiG-31BM from Pursuit Across the Sky.Ditto, from Chase.Ditto, from Fortress on the Sands.Ditto, from Fortress in the Sky.Ditto, from Black Target.Player MiG-31BMPlayer MiG-31BMPlayer MiG-31BMPlayer MiG-31BMPlayer MiG-31BM
### *Airforce Delta Strike*

MiG-31BM in Rick's color scheme.MiG-31BM with a generic color scheme.MiG-31BM with Ferrite coating.Francine's MiG-31BM.Ditto, plus emblem.Leon's MiG-31BM.Ditto, plus emblem.Jake's MiG-31BM.Ditto, plus emblem.Aircraft statistics.MiG-31BM Foxhound cockpit in *AFD Strike*.The MiG-31BM's special weapons, Long-Ranged Air-to-Air Missiles.
## Trivia

* This aircraft is the only aircraft to be used by more than one ace in the O.C.C. - in fact, it's used by *three* O.C.C. aces.