Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko reported deep & nbsp; modernization of MiG-31 fighter-interceptors. The revision of these planes with an improvement to the level of the MiG-31BM is in progress & nbsp; at the 'Sokol' aircraft factory In Nizhny Novgorod. It is assumed that the modernization will significantly increase the combat capabilities, it will be able to destroy all air targets & mdash; ranging from drones and cruise missiles to hypersonic planes.
The overhaul with modernization of each aircraft takes about a year. During this time, the interceptors completely change the on-board equipment, the cockpit canopy and the wiring. The glider, which is made of titanium, is being stowed away. This metal has an almost unlimited resource, however, some aircraft require replacement of the coating. The integration of modern aeronautical weapons is also underway. In particular, the mechanical control system is changed to a fly-by-wire, for which on-board computers are installed on board.
Previously, discussions had taken place on the fate and timing of the decommissioning of these interceptors. In particular, they consume a lot of fuel – a full refueling is about 15 tons, about 10 tons are spent per hour. & Nbsp; The State Duma Defense Committee even held special hearings on the MiG-31. As a result, they started to modernize again. It started in 2011, and is currently under repair on the MiG-31B fighter and reserve at the MiG-31BM level. Under two contracts, the Department of Defense ordered the upgrading of a total of 114 interceptors for the aerospace forces and the navy. The upgraded MiG-31BM has received an updated radar, which allows you to see the enemy at a distance of up to 320 km and destroy it with long-range missiles at a distance of 280 km . The new gun control system made it possible to equip the vehicle with more modern ammunition. Currently, development of ultra-long range air-to-air munitions is underway for interceptors.
In 2018, the MiG company completed the creation of a special modification of the MiG-31K. Its hallmark is the equipment with hypersonic air ballistic missiles “ Dagger ''. to attack ground targets. The hunter received new on-board equipment, increased fuel supply, and special communication gear. Since 2018, ten MiG-31Ks have been in experimental combat service in the Southern Military District.
MiG-31 & mdash; fighter-interceptor developed by the USSR for air combat in the 70s of the last century. It is the largest aircraft of this class in service with countries around the world. All MiG-31BMs in service were built in the late 1980s & mdash; early 1990s. Their lifespan is limited to 2.5 thousand flight hours; the issue of its one thousand hour extension is currently under consideration, which will allow the interceptors to remain in service until at least the mid-2030s. At that point, the MiG will become the one of the oldest types of combat aircraft in service with the Russian aerospace forces.
Due to its mass of over 46 tons, the aircraft is classified differently from conventional fighters. The pilot of a two-seater aircraft, the only one in operational-tactical aviation, is officially called the pilot-in-command. Only pilots of heavy bomber and transport aircraft have this privilege. & Nbsp;
The MiG-31 still carries the title of the fastest fighter in the world. Maximum flight speed and ndash; 3 thousand kilometers per hour. The aircraft is designed to intercept and destroy targets, including cruise and ballistic missiles, at extremely low, medium and high altitudes in simple and difficult weather conditions. Earlier, foreign experts drew attention to & nbsp; for the expanded arsenal of MiG-31BM and MiG-31BSM interceptors, including the new R-74M short-range air-to-air missile, which makes the MiG-31 one of the most versatile.
Today & nbsp; The MiG-31BM is considered the most effective fighter in air combat. He is right behind the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft. By 2030, Russia is expected to commission a whole new class of interceptors. The upcoming sixth generation MiG-41 fighters are expected to be able to fight even in near space. The interceptor will be able to fly at hypersonic speeds, twice as fast as the current MiG-31.
The Soviet Union also existed & nbsp; interceptor modernization program, but the collapse of the USSR prevented the implementation of the MiG-31M, the project was canceled in 1995 after several successful flight tests due to the economic situation in Russia . The MiG-31 was more expensive to manufacture than the Su-27. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia decided to focus on universal models. Although the Su-27 was inferior in features to the MiG-31, it was easier to adapt to various military tasks.