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| Able to Oversee Space, Russia Receives New More Modern MiG-31BM Fighter Jets |
Moscow - Russia received two MiG-31BM Foxhound fighter jets which had modernized their avionics and electronic systems. The MiG-31 BM fighter jet is capable of flying 4,000 km and is twice as effective as the standard MiG-31. Russian media reported that two MiG-31 BM interceptor fighter jets have entered service with the Russian Air and Space Force [VKS].
According to Russian experts, this means that there are already four units of MiG-31BM interceptor fighter jets being operated by Russia. The modernization of the MiG-31BM increased the flight hours of the aircraft from 2,500 flight hours to 3,500 flight hours. In addition, the MiG-31BM is capable of surveillance of space as far as 800-900 km.
Quoted from the Bulgarian Military, Saturday (10/12/2022), Russia is actively using the MiG-31 in the war with Ukraine. The RUSI report called the MiG-31 the most effective fighter jet in the Ukrainian war. Its effectiveness is also evident from the number of MiG-31s destroyed during the Ukrainian war. Only two aircraft were destroyed, one shot down and the other destroyed during the attack on Saki Air Base in Crimea.
Since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, the configuration of the MiG-31 fighter jet with the Kinzhal air-to-surface missile weapon, has become a lethal weapon. Russia several times used MiG-31 and Kinzhal missiles when carrying out attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
MiG-31 Specifications The MiG-31, designated Foxhound by NATO, is a long-range supersonic fighter interceptor. Quoted from the Military Today page, the MiG-31 is designed to intercept and destroy air targets at any altitude, at any time, even in bad weather conditions.
This two-seat fighter aircraft is capable of flying to an altitude of 20.5 km for 3.3 hours without refueling. MiG-31BM is the latest version of MiG-31. It was developed as an improved version of the MiG-31B interceptor with added air-to-ground attack capability.
In 2017, a total of 110 aircraft were reportedly upgraded to MiG-31BM and MiG-31BMS standards. These improvements make it possible to extend the service life of older aircraft by at least 15 years. The MiG-31 fighter jet has high speed, altitude and climb rate, but sacrifices its maneuverability. MiG-31BM is one of the fastest production aircraft and can reach a maximum speed of up to 3,000 km/hour.
With the advanced Zaslon-AM phased-array radar, the MiG-31 BM fighter jet can detect air targets at a maximum distance of 320 km. It is even capable of tracking 24 air targets at once and attacking 8 of them simultaneously with missiles.
The MiG-31BM can carry weapons weighing up to 9,000 kg. The weapons carried are R-33S and R-37 long-range air-to-air missiles with a range of 200-280 km. There is also an R-77 medium-range missile with a range of 100 km.
The MiG-31BM can also carry 6 KAB-1500 TV or laser guided bombs weighing 1 500 kg or 8 KAB-500 (500 kg) guided bombs. Although missiles are the main armament, the MiG-31 BM is also equipped with a 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds of ammunition.