Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA9701MIG-31K Foxhound D with KH-47M2 missile, 2022
General Background
The MiG-31 (NATO - Foxhound) is a two-seater long-range supersonic interceptor fighter. The MiG-31 was developed in the 1970s and completed Its maiden flight in September 1975. The MiG-31 set several world records by reaching an altitude of 37,650 meters (123,523 ft) in 1977 as well as setting a time-to-altitude record of 35,000 meters (114,829 ft) in 4 minutes 11.78 seconds. The MiG-25 “Foxbat” was the basis for the MiG-31 “Foxhound” but equipped with the latest digital avionics that allows it to operate in all weather conditions and the first Soviet aircraft to have look-down shoot-down capability.
The Aircraft
The 31st IAP (Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment) is based at Millerovo near the Ukrainian border. They retired their MiG-29s for the newer Su-30SM fighters to equip two squadrons. There are 16 Su-30SMs numbers 01 – 11 and 21 – 28. The Su-30SM is based on the export version built for India. The Russian Air Force ordered 60 Su-30SM with the Russian Navy ordering 12 for their carriers and plan on ordering 48 additional for their land based units. In 2015 the 31th Aviation Regiment Red 03 was stationed at Khmeimim AB Syria.
The AircraftThe MiG-31 was developed as an interceptor but when Russia developed the Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missile they needed an aircraft that could carry the missile’s heavy weight so the MiG-31K was developed as an attack aircraft. The normal bomb and missile load of the MiG-31BM was replaced by an adaptation to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal “Dagger” that has a 2,000 km range. Ten of the MiG-31BMs have so far been converted. The 764th Fighter Aviation Regiment is the first front-line MiG-31K operator and is expected to have around 24 MiG-31K aircraft including 31 BLUE RF-92332.
Hobby Master HA9701, MIG-31K Foxhound D with KH-47M2 missile, 2022, 1:72
First flight: September 16, 1975
Role: long-range, two-seat supersonic interceptor aircraft
Serial production began: 1976
Introduction into service: May 6, 1981
Crew: 2, Pilot and Weapons System Officer
Dimensions
Length: 22.62 m (74 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 13.456 m (44 ft 2 in)
Height: 6.45 m 21 ft 2 in)
Weight:
Empty: 21,820 kg (48,105 lb)
Loaded: 41,000 kg (90, 390 lb)
Maximum Takeoff : 46,200 kg (101,854 lb)
Performance
Power Plant: 2 X Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofan engines each producing 93 kN (21,000 lbf) thrust dry, 152 kN (34,000 lbf) with afterburner
Rate of Climb: 288 m/s (56,700 ft/min) Armament
Maximum speed: 3,000 km/h (1,900 mph) Mach 2.83 @21,500 m (70,538 ft)
Cruise: 2,500 km/h (1,600 mph) Mach 2.35
Service Ceiling: 25,000 m (82,000 ft)
Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi) with 4 X R-33E and 2 drop tanks
Combat range: 1,450 km (900 mi) @ Mach 0.8 @ 10,000 m (32,808 ft)
Armament:
Gun: 1 X 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23M rotary cannon 800 rounds (later removed)
Hardpoints
4 X under wing pylons
These can carry
Missiles
Air-To-Air
4 X R-33E
2 X R-40RD/TD
4 X R-60MK
4 X R-73
Air-To-Surface
4 X Kh-58UShKE anti-radiation
1 X Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile (MiG-31K)
