Iran has Mig 31?

[khak-2-sar]

Iran has Mig 31?

There have been sporadic reports about Mig31 presence over Iran. The most recent report which was provided by UAE Air Force officials told the story of one of their pilots who could spot a fast flying Iranian fighter close to the Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf. The UAE pilot could clearly see the Iranian fighter flying in parallel and after a short period turning deeply into the Iranian airspace. The pilot who was on a routine surveillance and photography mission could not take any pictures of the fighter but he was almost sure it was a Mig31 and not a F-14, Su27 or Mig 29 which normally appear in the Iranian sky.

Israeli defense analysts have long tried to find out about the current capabilities of the Iranian Air Force and has therefore installed highly sensitive radars in the Iraqi Kurdistan close to Iran in order to better study the Iranian radar grids after the failed US unmanned flights into Iran which had the purpose to provoke the Iranians to turn on their radars in order for Americans to study the Iranian radar grids. However the Iranians never turned on their radars and in some rare cases they only turned on fixed radar batteries on a point wise fashion(one at a time) in order to just track the intruder's path without giving any information about the networked air defense system.

Once the presence of Israeli experts and equipments inside Iraqi Kurdistan was confirmed in September the Iranians continue to keep their ground radar systems off, but instead increased their aerial presence in order to ensure the enemy understands the Iranian air defense system is not purely relying on its ground network. The Iranian F-14s were flying 2-3 times the normal rate at high altitudes inside Iran close to the Western and South-Western border. This was combined by high level of activities of low flying Iranian F-4s and F-5s ensuring visual contact with any low flying object entering Iranian airspace. As the Israelis and Americans were collecting data on Iranian radar capabilities, during a night in October, they could, for up to 15 minutes, spot four high flying objects close to the Iranian Western border with their radars on. The surprising fact was that the airplanes were present at an even distance of 200 km from each other and covering an amazing area of 900 kilometers from Northwest to the Southwest border of Iran by hooking up their radars. The experts were shocked by this exercise which obviously and purposefully sent out a message to the other side ensuring the attackers understand the Iranian aerial radar capabilities could during a high-alert situation become active in minutes and cover a large area.

Later on the experts were confused on how the Iranians could achieve such a degree of aerial radar capabilities as their current stock of fighters did not have any such capability. As they continued to look for an answer they could all agree on the fact that the non-confirmed Mig31 must be present in the Iranian Air Force's inventory as that would be the only potential aircraft in Iran capable of hooking its radar and covering such a vast area.

[phoenix80]

no, I doubt this!

[Kilo877]

no, I doubt this!

Yes i agree the article does seem to be a bit dodgy, eg it claims that the Su-27 is regularly seem in Iranian airspace but they don't even operate this aircraft in Iran! As for the Mig-31 Russia and Kazakhstan are the only countries that fly this aircraft.

heres a picture of a Kazakh Foxhound

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=106331

[khak-2-sar]

Mig is too fast for Iran, i personally think they are pointless to have in Iran unless they are stationed right on the other side of Iran ready for fast deployment!



Iran doesn't have to buy the F15 or F16, there are other options, i personally think it's time to use the foreign reserves to buy lots of Su27's while increasing the spending on aviation research. Considering the price of oil is going up anyways, the foreign reserves will be built back up later any ways, right now Iran really needs to show it can deter any military threat and it's not really doing it!

[isr agent]

Damn those russians sure know how to build air crafts! i just love the migs and sukhois!!!

[phoenix80]

Well, I for one know that Su-27 did some over flights in Iran and still do since the russian Su-27s have to cross the Iranian airspace every year if they want to get to Dubai Airshow and every time they do it, they are escorted with IRIAF F-4s

[kia4ever]

guys i was wondering if u could tell me the mig-31's capabilities, comparison to other aircrafts, and the name of the most advanced russian fighter, thanks in advance

[Highsky]

guys i was wondering if u could tell me the mig-31's capabilities, comparison to other aircrafts, and the name of the most advanced russian fighter, thanks in advance

Development
The Mig31 Foxhound is a very different aircraft to the Mig25 Foxbat that it was modelled from. It is an all weather, all altitude, two seater interceptor with advanced digital avionics. It's airframe was extensively redesigned for supersonice flight at low level, for this the welded nickel steel content was reduced from 80% to 49%, with 16% titanium, 33% aluminium alloy and 2% composites. The first Mig31 flew in 1975 with a N007 Zaslon radar that was the first eelectronically scanned phased array type radar to enter service in the World. It could scan 198.4 km forward and track 10 targets simultanieously. This radar could also tract and engage target flying behind and below the Aircraft.

Mig31 Foxhound
The Mig31M is an improved version of the basic Mig31. It includes the new SBI-16 Zaslon radar radar. What make the Mig 31 such an effective aircraft is not features such as agility (which it is not renoun for) or speed (which it has plenty of!) but in it's weapons system of which the radar is a major part. The Zaslon antenna is of the fixed type, instead of being mechanically directed the radar beam is moved electronically. This allows the full fuselage diameter to be used for the antenna, since antenna diameter and effective operating range are directly related it is a great advantage. Electronic steerage of the radar beam is faster than can be performed mechanically, it is also more accurate. All signal processing is digital. As stated before the radar can track 10 targets and engage 4, the mission computer automatically selects the four most threatening targets. The MiG-31 can engage targets spread over a greater area than can its Western equivalent, the F-14.

Due to the Mig31's impressive radar, speed and ability to carry long range missiles they can cover a large swathe of terrotory. In a flight of four aircraft Mig31s can cover a 900km front, sharing information through a digital datalink. They can also act as an AWACs directing other fighters to targets. For emmission free detection the Mig 31 is deployed with an IRST. On the standard Mig31 this is semi retractable but on the Mig31M it is non retractable. This long range fighter (fitted for in flight refueling) is one of the most expensive fighters that Russia has produced. It is used soely by Russia. The cockpits were upgraded in the Mig 31M with a number of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) and an increased number of missiles.

Power Plant of the Mig31

Specifications for the Aviadvigatel D-30F6 Data
Thrust, (sea level, static, dry), (pounds) ?
Thrust, (sea level, static, after burning), (pounds) 34 170
In flight refueling provision present


Dimensions of the Mig31

Specification Measurement
Wing Span 14.0 m
Length (excluding nose probe) 21.5 m
Height 5.63 m
Wing surface ?

Weights of the Mig31

Aircraft State Weight
Empty 21 800 kg
Normal take-off 38 500 kg
Maximum take-off 41 000 kg

Performance of the Mig31

Action Data
Max speed at height Mach 2.83
Max speed at sea level Mach 1.23
Ceiling 67 600 ft
Take off run 3 940 ft
Landing run 2 625 ft
Comabt radius 1480 km
Maximum range ?

Armament of the Mig31

Number and Category Type
23mm gattling cannon 260 rounds
4 long range R-33 (AA-9 "Amos")
2 medium range R-40T (AA-6 "Acrid")
4 close range R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid")
Air to surface weapons Not a capability of this aircraft

[kia4ever]

thanks highsky, so is the mig-31 considered russia's most advanced and capable fighter or does sukhoi produce a better one?

[phoenix80]

in terms of Radar it is a poor copy of F-14A

[kia4ever]

no one can touch the americans when it comes to radar they're way too avanced

[Kilo877]

in terms of Radar it is a poor copy of F-14A
The Radar on the baseline Mig-31 was revolutionary when it first appeared as it was the first electronic phased array radar to be fitted on an aircraft. However it was not as effective as an F-14 as its main weapon the R-33 could not reach it maximum projected range due to limitations with its guidance system.

However the Mig-31m introduced a new version of the Zaslon radar and a new missile the R-37 which has a range of 300km, more than double the range of the AIM-54 as used on the phoenix, However all this is academic really as the AIM-54 and the F-14 have been retired from US service while the Mig-31m never made it into production, however Russia may upgrade its current Mig-31 fleet giving it many of the improvements in capability of the Mig-31m including the ability to fire the R-37.

The Mig-31m
http://www.aeronautics.ru/mikoyan/mig25_31/mig-31m-004.jpg
The R-37
http://www.testpilot.ru/russia/vympel/r/37/images/r37a.jpg

[phoenix80]

the problem with russian built fighters is that they are heavily depended on GC (ground control) and once the GC is taken out, they are blind and ineffective

[kia4ever]

so in your opinion is the mig-31 the most advanced fighter the russians have in their arsenal?

[phoenix80]

Su-27 is the best they got

[kia4ever]

Su-27 is the best they got

so why do they export the Su-27? i always thought nations keep their most advanced technologies to themselves, and how come they don't export the mig-31? thanks in advance

[phoenix80]

why not!?

US exports F-15 and F-18 so does Russia which exports Su-27 and MiG-29

but like one said MiG-31 isnt even produced any more

[kia4ever]

yeah but america won't export there most advanced fighters, like the f-14 (exception iran) and f-22

[phoenix80]

i disagree

i.e their JSF is for export purposes and many Europeans are potential buyers

btw F-15 and F-18 A/Cs are as precious as F-14

[kia4ever]

btw F-15 and F-18 A/Cs are as precious as F-14

although i am no expert on the fighter jets, i believe that the f-14 was more advanced than the f-15 and certainly more capable than the f-18. their are many countries that have the f-15s and the f-16 but only one country got the f-14, iran which had very warm relations with USA. because of the advanced pheonix missile system. there are reports that the f-14 was sold or given to the russians who through reverse engineering made the mig-31. i've also read around the time the f-15 was coming into service and replacing some of the functions of the f-14 there was alot of controversy about how the f-14 was much better. the f-18 also has its problems, like its range. the reason the f-18s eventually replaced the f-14 was due to the f-14 being a very difficult fighter to control, and the f-18 having the ability to arm itself with almost every missile the USAf has in its inventory. in my personal belief i think the reason the f-14 was discontinued was the fact that the russians had the jet in their inventory and had figured out its radar system and how to counter it. or maybe it was just propaganda, (they didn't want the world to know iran had their best fighter) but i have read many interviews with US fighter pilots saying how the f-14 was the choice jet and many interviews about how the f-14 is more sensible than other jets cause of its range and air to air capabilities

[phoenix80]

todays F-15 is more advanced than F-14s that Iran got 28 years ago

[kia4ever]

todays F-15 is more advanced than F-14s that Iran got 28 years ago
i agree but it is still a mystery why the US just gave up on the f-14 model rather than upgrade it, anyways it doesn't matter now they have the f-22 and the f-35 coming up.

[phoenix80]

it was an old jet! 30 yrs in service and it was done.

personally I love F-14 but F-22 is so good

[Kilo877]

The Mig-31 and F-14 have not been widely exported as they are big complex aircraft which are expensive to maintain and use, Also they were designed from the outset as Interceptors, however this mission has become less relevant with the end of the cold war, hence why the US navy has retired its tomcats as the threat from soviet long range bombers no longer exists.

While aircraft such as the Su-27 and F-15 are more versatile in terms of the variety of different missions which they can perform therefore smaller nations prefer to purchase such aircraft as they give them more value for money than aircrft such as a tomcat.

GCI is used by most air forces is it not

[phoenix80]

MiG-31 was never produced in massive numbers

GCI is used by all aircrafts but western aircrafts can ALSO operate independently which is an advantage but soviet made A/Cs cant

[kia4ever]

do you guys think the shafaq is gonna be any good? supposedly it was a continuation of a 5th generation fighter that the russians abandoned, don't know anythng else about it, but i saw the model it looks good. what do you guys think about it?

[hurdy]

America already retired the F-14 Tomcat as far as I know, they should have been replaced by now with teh F-18 hornet.
Iran is the only one to have that in their airforce now I think.

[kia4ever]

lol no one wants to comment on the shafaq this is the second time i posted that quesion

[phoenix80]

kia

as long as it is not produced in mass and hasnt been tested in difficult situation, it can be called a toy

[Kilo877]

as long as it is not produced in mass and hasnt been tested in difficult situation, it can be called a toy

Does That mean that the JSF is just a Toy :D

GCI is used by all aircrafts but western aircrafts can ALSO operate independently which is an advantage but soviet made A/Cs cant

Well the RuAF does not rely solely on GCI Anymore as I said before the Soviets used it during the cold war as any intercepts of western aircraft were risky and if anything went wrong or the pilot made a mistake it could have caused a major international incident.

[MiG 31]

todays F-15 is more advanced than F-14s that Iran got 28 years ago


Thats not true... only their radar is upgraded but all the rest of the missiles are the same and most of them are not as good as AIM 54.... let's not forget how India's mig-21's were able to out manuevre F-15s.

[Rich]

Thats not true... only their radar is upgraded but all the rest of the missiles are the same and most of them are not as good as AIM 54.... let's not forget how India's mig-21's were able to out manuevre F-15s.

And when did this happen?

[MiG 31]

And when did this happen?


what are you refering to? the mig-21? remember India and U.S. airwar games?.

[Musa a.s.]

The F-14 Tomcat isn't yet retired and they don't know when they will retire it because its such an effective aeroplane but they all(other jets) will be severely downsized maybe even replaced with the intro of the JSF, F22, and F35.

[Musa a.s.]

The F15 is way more meneuverable than the F14. The F14s advantage is its ability to almost stall fly and then take off quickly so it can get in difficult positions. But what does that matter anymore with prescision guided weapons and superior avionics that exists nowadays, An accurate missile can be fired from almost an entire small countries length and still be dead on target.