Developed in response to both getting the MiG-25 Foxbat’s replacement and the American SR-71 Blackbird, the MiG-31 Foxhound has proven itself to be one of the most dangerous planes that Russia can put into the skies. First flown in 1975, the Foxhound has since evolved into one of the fastest operational combat aircraft in the world. With over 500 units produced, the MiG-31 is still a main asset in the Russian Air Force, showing it will not die away in modern warfare.
The inadequacies of the MiG-25 influenced the initiative to develop the MiG-31. It had very inefficient turbojet engines, so Foxbat in reality was a low-altitude and low-radius interceptor. The MiG-31 was designed to be exceedingly maneuverable, even at low altitudes, at supersonic speeds, proving it as a multi-role supersonic interceptor.
It has some great capabilities. In addition to serving off several targets at once, it is fitted with a killing arsenal the long reach of Vympel R-33E air-to-air weapons, which were originally designed to shoot down the SR-71, short-range R-60MK missiles, medium-range Bisnovat R-40TD1 missiles, a six-barrel, 30-mm Ghs-6-23M internal cannon capable of firing 10,000 rounds per minute. Newer variants can deploy the AA-12 missile and the air-to-ground AS-17 Krypton anti-radiation missile. The Foxhound has two Solovyev D-30F6 turbofan engines that give it a cruising speed of Mach 1.23.
That makes a MiG-31 very impressive as a weapon system for its speed and multirole performance, although fuel-guzzling is one of the major issues. Additionally, some more startling facets came up from discussions with pilots: the MiG-31, designed as an interceptor, emerged in many forms of use during the conflict in Ukraine—air superiority and bombing missions. This points out that in a modern world under constant change, this flying machine is bound to stay relevant, and the Russian military can invent and adapt under pressure.
Modernizing the fleet of MiG-31s has been one of the major tasks for modernizing the Russian army. One of the deep modernization programs for overhauling has been underway since 2007 at the aircraft plant in Sokol, in Nizhny Novgorod. It envisages full disassembly of the planes, major repairs, and the installation of new avionics and weapon systems. The restoration gave the MiG-31s several years of service life and significantly raised their combat power.
The MiG-31BM project, for example, is equipped with a new radar station, weapon control systems, and navigation aids—all manufactured in Russia. These upgraded systems increased the interceptor’s combat effectiveness to nearly triple that of its base model. Flight-by-wire systems are being tested to introduce this aircraft’s potential to perhaps still further dimensions, maybe even resulting in unmanned modifications.
The modernization of MiG-31s is therefore clearly not aimed at extending the present functions of the aircraft alone but also in preparation for other highly challenging tasks. The MiG-31K variant is the one that has been modified for the carriage of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles. It flies at Mach 10 with a range of 2,000 km. This variant has already seen wide action in the Russo-Ukrainian war, thus proving it as a strategic weapon.
The Foxhound MiG-31 is in this way one of the cornerstones of the Russian air defense strategy. Its speed and versatility, combined with ongoing modernization efforts, will see it in a very important niche within the Russian military for many years to come. However, in that modernized form, it attests to the Russians’ everlasting resolve to have a strong and versatile air force.