MiG-31 Foxhound

- Supersonic Interceptor -

Overview
A two-seat supersonic fighter-interceptor, the Mikoyan MiG-31, code-named "Foxhound" by NATO is the successor to the MiG-25 "Foxbat". Like it's predecessor, it was initially mistaken as a super-dogfighter by western nations. Despite being labeled as an 'improved Foxbat' in reality the MiG-31 is a completely new aircraft, with greater capability than the MiG-25. The development of the MiG-31 began in the mid-1970s and by September 16, 1975 the first prototype flew. Approximately, 500 MiG-31s have been produced and at least 370 continue to serve the Russian air force.

The MiG-31M is an upgraded variant with a new weapons control system designated Zaslon-M. The aircraft is equipped with a radar featuring a doubled effective range, which is capable of simultaneously tracking and engage more targets. The MiG-31M main armament is six long-range missiles under the fuselage in tandem, three abreast and four RVV-AE medium-range missiles under the wings, the cannon is dismantled. The aircraft design is somewhat updated - the middle fuselage fairing cross-section is larger, the cockpit canopy features a caseless windshield and smaller area of the operator's transparency, the wing is equipped with large leading-edge extensions, the infrared direction finder under the forward fuselage is non-retractable.

It is powered by enhanced D-30F-6M engines. The internal fuel tank capacity was increased. The aircraft has an in-flight refueling capability. The ECM and individual defence systems are united into the integral defense system. The operator's cockpit control board equipment was changed. Test-pilot Boris Orlov and test-navigator Leonid Popov flew out the prototype (registration number 051) on 21 December, 1985. In the late eighties, the Sokol aircraft plant (NGAZ) built the development batch of the MiG-31Ms, which underwent the official testing successfully.

Origin (Real World)
Russian Federation

Featured In
Ace Combat (Air Combat) Ace Combat 2 Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception

Operators
Aurelian Air Force Belkan Air Force Leasath Air Force Osean Air Defense Force Special Tactical Fighter Squadron "Scarface" Usean Rebel Force Ustian Air Force Yuktobanian Air Force

Ace Squadrons/Pilots
Yully / STFS (AC) Stalker / URF (AC2) Cosm / YAF (AC5) Schwan / BAF (ACZ) Riese / BAF (ACZ) Schwarze Squadron / BAF (ACZ) Paladin / LAF (ACX)

Weapons
Gun / 23mm GSh-6-23 Cannon Standard Missiles / R-60 QAAM / R-73EM (ACZ/ACX) SAAM / R-40R (AC5/ACX) UGBL / [unknown] (ACZ/ACX) XLAA / R-33 (AC5/ACZ/ACX)

Air Combat Stats
Stability: 20 Defense: 100 Offense: 100 Power: 80 Mobility: 10

Ace Combat 2 Stats
Power: 90 Defense: 90 Mobility: 30 Stability: 70 Climbing Ability: 100 Air-to-Air: 90 Air-to-Ground: 60

MiG-31
Speed: 97 Mobility: 53 Stability: 49 Defense: 85 Air-to-Air: 77 Air-to-Ground: 30

MiG-31M
Speed: 97 Mobility: 63 Stability: 56 Defense: 87 Air-to-Air: 84 Air-to-Ground: 37

Ace Combat 2 Stats
Speed: 97 Mobility: 53 Stability: 49 Defense: 85 Air-to-Air: 77 Air-to-Ground: 30