Russia to Field MiG-31 Replacement by 2020 – Commander
MiG-31 interceptors
© RIA Novosti. Vitaly Ankov
16:27 11/04/2013
Multimedia
Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jet
MOSCOW, April 11 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Air Force is hoping to
receive a new long-range fighter-interceptor by 2020 and retire its
existing fleet of MiG-31 interceptors by 2028, Air Force Commander Lt.
Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Thursday.
`We have started development of a new aircraft of this type and I
think we can develop this plane before the state armament program ends
in 2020,’ Bondarev said at a meeting with Russian lawmakers.
`The new plane should replace the existing fleet by 2028,’ he said.
Bondarev spoke out against restarting production of the MiG-31, which
was stopped 20 years ago, saying the country needs a totally new
interceptor to meet modern requirements.
The Russian Air Force has 122 MiG-31 interceptors in service and more
aircraft in reserve, he said.
The MiG-31, the fastest fighter-interceptor in service anywhere in the
world, has recently been the subject of a comprehensive upgrade to
MiG-31BM standard.
The MiG-31BM has a range of 900 miles (1,450 km) on internal fuel,
which can be extended to 3,355 miles (5,400 km) with air-to-air
refueling.
© RIA Novosti.
Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jet
The modernized version boasts upgraded avionics and digital
data-links, a new multimode radar, color multifunction cockpit
displays, and a more powerful fire-control system. It can
simultaneously track up to 10 targets.
The two-seat MiG-31 can intercept targets up to 124 miles (200 km)
away thanks to its advanced radar and long-range missiles. The Air
Force said in 2012 it was testing a new long-range missile for the
MiG-31, which analysts who spoke to RIA Novosti said was likely to be
the K-37M, also known as RVV-BD (NATO AA-X-13 Arrow).
The Russian Air Force has previously said it intends to take delivery
of up to 60 MiG-31BMs by 2020, under a contract signed with United
Aircraft Corporation in 2011.
MiG-31 interceptors are an integral part of a comprehensive aerospace
defense network being created in Russia to thwart any potential
airborne threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
From: A. Papazian
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