The modernization of the MiG-31 in Nizhny Novgorod

Upgraded in Nizhny Novgorod fighters will protect Russian interests in the north

In the modern Russian army fighter-interceptor MiG-31 is not just in demand, and is a key element of modern system of air defense of the country. In connection with the intensification of the struggle for resources in the Arctic and the changing international situation it has become necessary to strengthen the northern borders of Russia.

However, despite the interest of the Russian Defense Ministry, to resume production of the MiG-31 proved to be very difficult: too large time and cost, destroyed the production chain, which existed since Soviet times. Therefore, before the Nizhny Novgorod Aircraft building plant "Sokol", as the only manufacturer of the aircraft, and was given the task: to carry out a qualitative overhaul and conduct work on its modernization.

The plane that came for the repair and modernization, understands just to screw.

"Falcon" Experts NAZ spend his fault detection, repair, paint, install new hardware products purchased, collected again and transported to the factory airfield, where he returns after tests in the system. At the same combat capabilities of aircraft significantly increased, mainly due to the installation of new weapons.

MiG-31 - long-range interceptor, which was created for the protection of overhead lines in areas with limited radar field. He is able to work independently, as well as cover the edge at a distance of 1000 km a group of four aircraft, interacting with each other. These tasks, except it does not perform any other aircraft to date.

Says Vladimir Cuirassiers, deputy technical director of NAZ "Sokol", in charge of the theme of modernization of the MiG-31:
"On the specifics of repair work the first time we have encountered in 90 years, when we did the first comprehensive newsletter on the MiG-31, in connection with the new weapon system then been finalized about four dozen cars on them, we partially performed and repairs -.. Eliminated the visible eye cracks and dents. "

"At the time of signing the first contract with the Ministry of Defense for the modernization of MiG-31, this course of action, as the serial overhaul, we have mastered. The first MiG-31 modernization came to the plant in 2007. OKRovskie work on them was carried out under the guidance of experts Corporation Engineering Center" MiG ", and then, when the plane went into a series, the factory has developed a specification, design and operational documentation.

This NAZ "Sokol" is the main developer documentation to complete the repair of production, and all aircraft repair plants involved in the implementation of the contract for the MiG-31, use our documentation adapted for themselves. "

"When we started to do in 2013, only the names of" non-renewable "products, systems, we were about 41 positions. And this list includes, for example, items such as a set of navigation KN-25, which itself includes more than 40 blocks. Now these products remains somewhere 7-8. at the same time the vast majority of them we have a road map, so that gradually we solve this problem. "

"As part of the import substitution program change components of Ukrainian origin. This list is not great, this year we will be able to replace them. So at the moment among the non-Russian production of CRP is only a few components of the position of Kazakhstan."

"Organic glass, from which were made before the lights are no longer produced, and their service life has expired. Glass breaks, yellowing, which is why serious visibility is deteriorating, and it no longer has its original properties. Today, we are setting new lights silicate triplex.

This glass is present, it is more expensive, but more durable and has better properties than the organic glass. These glasses were set before only on the spacecraft. Now, after their installation on the aircraft, the MiG-31 is able to fly again at any rate, laid down in the design. "

MiG-31 is currently one of the most unique examples of long-lived aircraft. For more than 35 years of service, he not only lost its combat capability, but also boosted by its deep modernization. Created OKB. Mikoyan in the early 1970s of the last century, it still provides parity in the Arctic region of the Russian aviation.

http://fotografersha.livejournal.com/787576.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excuse bad google translate tovarishi, look link for more picture.

Sokol plant looks a bit "vintage", I would say.

"Organic glass" means plexiglass BTW.

Damm, automatic translators!

There are always parts in an automatically translated text that looks "goofy".


As a side note (and more to the point of tread), it's interesting to see the Mig-31 being overhauled and upgraded. IMO, the Mig-31 is the only decent modern Russian fighter aircraft and IMO the biggest Russian airborne threat to modern western fighter aircraft.

To which ones? At this point it seems to be mostly tasked as a cruise missile killer, as Rooskie phear cruise missile spammage, like phear run out of alcohol!

too much facepalm in this comment

Yeah, ain't that just like an aircraft ...err, wait, what?

Let me guess. Google translate...

Yep, probably. I always enjoy picking the meaning out.

I expect an English phrases like 'pick of the bunch' translates into pretty good Russian.

LOL, didn't catch that.

Yes Google translate is of sh*t, but hard to machine translate language where is half slang and catchphase.

No, the planes (MIG-31s) that came in for repair and modernization only know how to screw. Expect the numbers of the MIG-31 to multiply.

*Is for certain being piped in over tinny Soviet vintage speakers*

To basically everyone! Let me explain:

The Mig-31 has a very powerful radar which together with the long range AA-9 Amos missile should make the Mig-31 the fighter aircraft (interceptor) with the longest air-to-air engagement range among all Russian fighter aircraft.
No other Russian fighter aircraft comes close to the Mig-31 in terms of air-to-air engagement range. The only other Russian fighter aircraft that should come close to the Mig-31 in this regard should be the Su-35 with the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar.

On top of this and like I previously said the Mig-31 radar is extremely powerful which makes it very resistant to enemy ECM (much more resistant than any other radar equipping any other Russian fighter aircraft).

Many if not most of modern western fighter aircraft (note that I'm excluding 5th gen fighter aircraft like the F-22 or F-35) should be able to detect and engage any Russian fighter aircraft first and perhaps the only exception would be the Mig-31.

As a side note, look how during Desert Storm the Mig-25 was the most effective Iraqi fighter aircraft being able to shot down one aircraft (an F/A-18) and was able to operate even under very heavy ECM environment. Resuming the performance of the Mig-25 in Desert Storm seem to have been quite superior to the Mig-29.
And since the Mig-31 is a vastly improved Mig-25...


Finally your comment "seems to be mostly tasked as a cruise missile killer":
From everything that I read, the Mig-31 is not used as an anti-cruise missile interceptor but instead it's used and it was designed as an interceptor capable of operating and patrolling in vast areas where no other support such as EW, GCI and AWACS radars are available (and Russia being huge - the biggest country in the world by landmass there's lots of such areas, namely in the north!).

Care to explain why??

LoL

R-33 can only intercept targets maneuvering at up to 4G IIRC, so fighter targets would be pretty much out.

Regarding the cruise missile thing, yes, it can of course still intercept bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, but the focus in recent years is on thinning and getting an accurate raid count on cruise missile swarms before they can be engaged by ground based systems.

A massive decapitation strike by precision conventional cruise missiles in currently one of their biggest strategic worries, hence their continuing to invest in the MiG-31 and even developing its successor.

I understand what you're saying and yes, usually the bigger the missile is the less agile it is.
However just because a missile (R-33) is less agile than others (such as the R-27 or R-77) it doesn't mean that it can't hit enemy fighter aircraft.
For starters even the most agile fighter aircraft can't pull out high Gs (such as 9Gs) indefinitely.
Secondly the R-33 despite being a semi-active radar guided missile, it only uses the semi-active radar guidance on the latest stage of its flight (when already close to the target) and it's only on this stage that the enemy aircraft RWR suite should sound the alarm thus giving the pilot of enemy fighter aircraft only a quite short time to react.

A similar situation happened (well could still happen) with the AIM-54 Phoenix missiles fired from F-14s. It's well known that the AIM-54 Phoenix missile pulls less Gs and is less agile than for example an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile but does this mean that the AIM-54 Phoenix is incapable of shooting down enemy fighter aircraft? Of course not. The same also happens with the R-33.
Again remember that a F/A-18 Hornet was shot down during Desert Storm by an AA-6 Acrid missile (R-40) a missile less capable and likely less agile than the AA-9 Amos (R-33) fired by an Iraqi Mig-25.

Finally put yourself on the "shoes of a fighter pilot", what would you rather face?
An enemy fighter aircraft equipped with more agile missiles but that otherwise you're able to shoot at it first (before it is ever able to shot at you) or an enemy interceptor that is equipped with a powerful radar suite and long range missiles that despite being less agile it gives this same interceptor the capability of shooting at you first (before you're able to shoot at it)?

"Hay Russians, why didn't you make the MiG-31 the basis of your next air superiority fighter?"

"BECAUSE, REASONS !!"

Never said that the Mig-31 is an air superiority fighter did I?
The Mig-31 is an interceptor (and seems to be a darn good one).

The Mig-31 is not an extremely agile aircraft like the Su-27/30/35 family, so I can easily imagine that the Su-27 family should be better for air superiority roles specially when supported by other assets such as AWACS than the Mig-31 while the Mig-31 should be better for intercept roles specially when support assets such as AWACS are not present or unavailable.

Also regarding your question "Hay Russians, why didn't you make the MiG-31 the basis of your next air superiority fighter?":
There's also the extremely important issue of acquisition and maintenance costs: Which is cheaper, the Mig-31 or a Su-27 derivate?
I'm willing to bet that the Su-27 derivate is cheaper.

I think that most pilots would rather face a long range missile designed for interception of non maneuvering targets.

I certainly know I'd rather have an R-33 shot at me than an R-77, if I were in a fighter.

If you get shot down by an R-33 in a fighter you've got only yourself to blame. You could do anything but fly straight and level and you'd escape being hit.

The Su-27's and MiG-29's are proven designs with modernization bringing carrier ops to both aircraft, new electronics, aerial refueling probes, etc. They can be fielded in larger numbers, carry more weapons, land in more places, be repaired more easily, etc. etc. Ultimately these are things that make an aircraft dangerous. An aircraft is not much danger to anyone if it's sitting in a hangar being cobbled together from parts of museum pieces.

What does their "propaganda" mural on their Lenin side say?

Is something like "quality labor guaranteed".

Anyway, from the looks of things even the BM model of the MiG-31 has a very rudimentary onboard EW system, which is another strike against it in a fighter vs fighter scenario.