Originally posted by GarryB
The Mig-25RB could carry loads of up to 9 tons. I think the Foxhound could do as well if not slightly better.
“If things deteriorate to the point where the FOXHOUND has to get away from there, I’d rather be in the FLANKER with arguably better acceleration.”
Have read a story about a guy who went to Russia to fly in a Mig-25. He said they were flying with an escort of Flankers and when they started their climb to high alt and high speed that the Flanker pilots later told him that the Mig pilot lifted the nose, lit the afterburners and just rocketed straight up. In a few seconds the ABs looked like stars.
I doubt the Mig-31 has any problem accelerating either.
Would be interesting to fit it with new enignes like 180kn AL-41s in a fully developed state. Size and weight of the engines wouldn’t be restricted like on the Flanker. The early engines were 15.5 tons thrust, but the upgrade engines are 16.5 tons thrust. 18 tons thrust would be an improvement though and possibly more fuel efficient Too.
These days with high off boresight missiles and imaging IR seekers and ARH BVR missiles I don’t think manouverability are all that important. With AL-41s it might even be able to supercruise… wouldn’t surprise me if it already could… with ABs required only to get supersonic perhaps.
look like stars? in a couple of seconds? clearly an exaggeration garray.. take it with a grain of pepper if you will..
The MiG-31 is too heavy to supercruise even with AL-41s.
Like it or not..it was designed purely as an interceptotron, it’s physical shape and performance restricts it to that bun roll. Even with some good modifications, it would still not make a good Ground attack or WVR fighter purely because of it’s air frame.
The Flanker wins hand down as the better multi-role aircraft, indeed it is.
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