"Multifunctional machine": what is the modernized Russian MiG-31BM fighter capable of

Naval aviation of the Pacific Fleet received an upgraded supersonic high-altitude fighter-interceptor MiG-31BM, the information support department of the Primorsky region of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports. The aircraft was equipped with the latest on-board electronic systems, as a result of which the combat capabilities of the machine significantly increased.

“Returning to the place of permanent deployment, the MiG-31BM crew made a long flight with a length of about 9 thousand km. In Kamchatka, the pilots were met by the command of the aviation regiment and the personnel of the fighter squadron, ”the website of the military department says.

The rearmament of the upgraded Mig-31BM affected aircraft units in different regions of the Russian Federation. So, according to the information of the military department, in 2020 a batch of six units should be received by the air force and air defense associations of the Central Military District (CVO).

“The heir to the legendary MiG-25”

MiG-31BM is a multi-role fighter, which was first introduced in 1999. In recent years, the capacity of the Nizhny Novgorod Sokol plant (part of the MiG RSK) has been upgrading combat machines - they are equipped with modern avionics, new units and assemblies. In total, naval aviation and VKS units should receive more than 130 advanced MiG-31BMs.

According to RT experts interviewed, the upgraded MiG-31BM received a new sighting and navigation system and information transfer system. These devices allow pilots to “redirect” during flight.

• MiG-31 takes off from the airfield
• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Also, the modernization increased the accuracy of the use of ammunition, simplified the process of preparing the aircraft for departure, and increased the level of control automation. According to RT, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation, Major General Vladimir Popov, the upgraded MiG-31BM is equipped with equipment that allows you to control the link up to six aircraft.

“The management system has been greatly improved. Now, from a lead board, you can control a group of four to six aircraft, which can be located along the front, that is, go as a single chain along the state border line and use weapons if necessary, ”Popov said.

As explained by military expert Yuri Lyamin, the peculiarity of the MiG-31BM is its ability to destroy a wide range of targets, including ground and surface. Other modifications of this aircraft are designed to intercept airborne objects - enemy aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

According to the materials of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the wide military capabilities of the MiG-31BM are provided by the Zaslon-M radar station. It can detect targets at a distance of up to 320 km and point them at ground-based air defense systems, as well as other fighters.

As the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev noted in an interview with RT, the military department does not report the full real characteristics of Zaslon-M.

However, according to him, the expert community has the opinion that the maximum tracking range is 280 km, the number of simultaneously captured objects is from 10 to 24, and 6 are fired.

The combat load of the MiG-31BM is about 3 tons, the maximum take-off weight is 46.8 tons, and the practical range is 2.3 thousand km. Bypass turbojet engines D-30F-6 are able to accelerate the aircraft to 3 thousand km / h. The MiG-31BM also has a unique opportunity to carry out combat missions at an altitude of more than 20 thousand km.

“It is appropriate to call the MiG-31BM the heir to the legendary MiG-25, which set an unchallenged altitude record (37.65 km). The dynamic ceiling of the MiG-31BM is 25 km, but it can rise even higher. Such altitude is required to intercept foreign reconnaissance aircraft and other purposes. For example, the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, capable of climbing 25 km, is still in service with the USA and Great Britain, ”says Popov.

The MiG-31BM crews periodically conduct training in the stratosphere, during which they work out the elimination of targets at an altitude of more than 20 km and at a speed of 2.5 thousand km / h. One of these exercises in August 2019 was held by the Pacific Fleet naval aviation.

As the Ministry of Defense specified, this training "became one of the stages in mastering the new modernized aviation equipment and improving fighter pilots for the piloting skills necessary to carry out combat duty on air defense."

"Invisible background for locators"

The MiG-31BM arsenal includes air-to-air missiles and the GSh-23-6 six-barreled gun with ammunition of 260 shells. According to RT interlocutors, air-to-surface missiles, including anti-ship missiles, as well as air bombs, can be mounted on airplanes.

In addition, a special modification of the MiG-31BM, designated MiG-31K, has become the only combat carrier of the hypersonic aviation complex X-47M2 “Dagger” to date.

• A pair of MiG-31 interceptors equipped with the Dagger missile system
• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

This missile is capable of hitting ground and surface targets at a distance of over 2 thousand km at a speed of more than 5 Machs. As Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier, the Dagger rocket maneuvers in all parts of the flight path, "which also allows it to guarantee overcoming all existing and, I think, promising air defense and missile defense systems."

The unique flight technical MiG-31K allows you to deliver a rocket to a drop point in a matter of minutes.

"Dagger" provided the MiG-31BM with the ability to deliver long-range high-precision strikes against ground and surface targets. This dramatically expanded his fighting qualities. The MiG-31BM ceased to be just an interceptor, it is a full-fledged multi-functional machine, ”emphasized Yuri Lyamin.

Analysts connect the future of the MiG family with the latest MiG-41 aircraft, the development of which is now being conducted by domestic designers. The project received the designation PAK DP - a promising long-range interception aircraft complex. The machine should replace the MiG-31 fleet.

RSK MiG began developing the aircraft on an initiative basis, but later received support from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“A promising aircraft will be created using new stealth technologies, it will be able to transport the necessary amount of weapons and use new types of aviation weapons, operating over a very large interception radius,” said Ilya Tarasenko, director general of MiG RSK, in an interview with RIA Novosti last June of the year.

Yuri Lyamin believes that the MiG-41 will be quite different from its predecessor. According to him, in the appearance of the PAK DP, the smooth forms that are characteristic of fifth-generation aircraft will prevail. This geometry of the hull and wings in combination with new materials and coating significantly reduces the visibility of the aircraft on radar.

Vladimir Popov believes that the MiG-41 will receive a new layout and more advanced engines in terms of traction, efficiency, flight range and combat radius. In addition, the expert is confident that the PAK DA will noticeably surpass its predecessor in the level of automation of the use of weapons and “release” the flight crew from some routine duties.

The low visibility of a promising aircraft, from the point of view of Popov, should be provided mainly due to electronic countermeasures. The signals that the MiG-41 will be able to emit will create an "invisible background for enemy locators."

“Surely, it is possible to implement ionization technology - the creation of an ionization layer around aircraft parts. It also reduces visibility. Our designers have a lot of work ahead, but I think that the new interceptor will meet the expectations of the military, ”Popov emphasized.