Douglas Barrie/LONDON
Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
AN EXPORT VARIANT OF the Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound heavy fighter, dubbed the MiG-31E, is undergoing flight trials, according to Vladimir Pomolov, general manager of Russia's Sokol plant, which builds the aircraft.
Confirming that the export version is being flight-tested, Pomolov adds that, "...it is stuck in the test programme because of a lack of money".
The MiG-31E is believed to be based around the MiG-31B Foxhound-A interceptor, already in service with the Russian air-defence forces. Likely changes are downgraded electronic countermeasures and simplified radar-engagement modes.
The primary air-to-air missile would be the Vympel R-33 (AA-9 Amos) beyond-visual-range semi-active air-to-air missile (AAM).
The export Foxhound is aimed at China, India and Iran. Unconfirmed reports suggested that China ordered MiG-31s several years ago, although there remains scant evidence of this.
Mikoyan has also been trying to interest India in the Foxhound to act as a fighter-controller aircraft for its Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbeds when they are upgraded. Target hand-off from the Foxhound's S-800 Zaslon phased-array radar to the MiG-21s would be via a datalink. The Indian air force has also been conducting a technical assessment of the Sukhoi Su-30MK to fill the gap in its inventory.
Pomolov also indicates that the MiG-31M Foxhound upgrade programme is struggling because of a lack of funding. The aircraft is believed to have a considerably improved radar capability, based on the Zaslon-M, along with the Vympel R-37 long-range dual-mode AAM. The Sokol plant has produced at least six prototypes of the MiG-31M.
One senior Mikoyan official says that the MiG-31M has effectively completed what he describes as its "...final design testing. It is now ready go through its military certification."
He says that the Government now needs to decide whether to proceed with the MiG-31M programme to equip Russia's air-defence forces.
Source: Flight International
