I don’t see your point. They’ve been in some deep **** throughout the ’90s, their upgrade/procurement programs were halted. When economy began to rise, the upgrade programs were obsolete. There was no point introducing Su-27M from late ’80s into active service in 2003. So they revisited upgrade programs, few years were spent on R&D and things got rolling. Some factories still need upgrades and new machinery. It’s not all flowers and still VVS would like to purchase more than state factories can produce, but it’s going in right direction.

What’s wrong with that, it looks like the Hajduk Split logo, just with a star. 😀

Hajduk Split had a logo with a red star (1943-1990). 😀

Guys, I’m looking for facts regarding exotic R-27 versions, eg. R-27AE, R-27EM and R-27P. Deployment numbers, images, etc. Some sites state that at least AE model went in production in 1990.

I would speculate that they produced limited numbers of these missiles, and they were never commisioned.

It’s AIM-7. Notice the linear gap between missiles. Besides, I don’t think that IRIAF carries AIM-54 on patrol missions.

Of course, I know about RWR. My question is diferent. Imagine that I am in a hornet and I launch a amraam to a SU27, has a AA missile enough RCS to be seen in the radar scope of the launcher?

Thank you!

I am not talking about RWR. RWR uses antennas to detect foreign emissions directed towards the plane. That requires missile to have active radar seekerhead. MWS detects missiles with optronic sensors that can distinct the missile from it’s background in respective EM band (infrared or ultraviolet). They detect rocket plumes if the engine is still burning, or edges of control surfaces that are hotter than the rest, for instance. Or in case of active MWS, small specialized radars are used to detect the missile.

Yes, an incoming missile can be detected by a fighter’s X-band fire control radar. The caveat is the radar must be in an operational mode that allows it to detect the missile. For example, if your fighter radar is busy SAR mapping or tracking another target, it will not detect the incoming missile.

That works only if it’s going up your nose. Advantage of specialized MWS’s is usage of smaller active or passive sensors throughout the airframe providing usually between 180 and 360 degrees coverage. NII PP has demonstrated such system on MiG-35.

I don’t think that figure is known because the program draws funds from the billions $ worth “arms modernization program”.

T-50 is definitely a move ahead in class of heavy fighters (like F-22), with a relatively high supersonic cruise, and relatively high altitude performance, but that’s still a far cry from MiG-31.

However, Russian government also puts export restrictions on MiG-31B(S/M) technology, Rosoboronexport markets MiG-31E with R-33E missiles, it has modern communications equipment and cockpit instruments, but it’s sensory and weapons systems are on the level of baseline Izdelye 01DZ. It won’t see significant export numbers, if any. It’s not marketed as an interceptor, but as interdirection aircraft. R-33E has < 100 km effective range, thus MiG’s going to be inside AIM-120C envelope if it tries to support SARH missile all the way.

Alas, export is no-go for MiG-31 and Russian government wants platforms that can generate hard cash. For that you need a flexible, true multi-role platform. T-50 and Su-35S can fulfill parts of the Foxhound’s assignment, especially when you consider that MiG-31 was destined to fill the gaps in Soviet ground-based air defense network. So you can “replace” Foxhounds by introducing modern systems on the ground, which they do.

On the other hand, MiG-31 can operate in Arctic. It’s still way to unique to be replaced, but it’s pretty much sure that it won’t have a direct successor, like it was to MiG-25.

I thought the MiG-31B from the late 1980s was the solution to ‘Donald’?

Yes it was.

It was quickly envisioned to replace key algorithms regarding threat management, data links and automatic GCI input. It also gave precious time for engineers to upgrade R-33 missiles and FCS around Zaslon. Since you can’t really distinguish B from I01/DZ unless you hop into cockpit, it came as a hypothetical tactical surprise. SBI-16A and R-33S have 50-60% range increase over the Izdelye 01 models. Americans had outdated figures on their hands.

The new production models (since 1988) were designated MiG-31B, while upgrades to Izdelye 01DZ were called MiG-31BS.

R-37 and MiG-31M programs started almost immediately after MiG-31 reached operational numbers, they were kept secret all the way. Since VVS didn’t have funds for 31M (the program was beyond “upgrades” and required structural modifications and new production airframes), BM project was born, as a technology drawback from M to B, what was possible without tampering with airframes.

There is no Izdelye 01/01DZ aircraft in active service today, those that weren’t upgraded were sent to mothballs.

Actually that distance, 228 km is world record if i am not badly mistaken. Anyone doubting awesomeness of MiG-31 now?!?!?

Even today, the MiG-31B(S) is the longest-legged proven A2A platform in the world. Hopefully the BM will take away that crown. Besides, R-33S is a extremely capable missile against it’s targets, and SARH has some significant advantages over ARH, especially when launched by something like MiG-31. I’m on the run now, I’ll elaborate this later.