Possible MiG-31 successor - MiG-41?

Read the forum code of contact

Member for

14 years 4 months

Posts: 2,114

As you know, in the news today:
http://www.aviaport.ru/digest/2014/02/28/276733.html
http://www.aviaport.ru/digest/2014/02/28/276731.html

Restarting production of the MiG-31 in an improved variant was being discussed last year, however the news above stunned me in regards to the possible performance of this MiG-41- over Mach 4!

If this will be pursued, i cannot think that this will be anything but an astonishing aircraft not only because of it's speed, but also because surely it will be equipped with the very latest in avionics and weapons, likely multiple AESA arrays, very long range hypersonic missiles, latest self-defence and datalink systems. In fact i can see it as nothing short of revolutionary, NOTHING planned to fly in the mid/late 2020s can catch it (not even most of todays AAMs) and NOTHING can escape it, unless of course the yanks (and possibly China too) would have raised to the challenge. In fact, if this aircraft would be built one can expect a high supersonic and even hypersonics race (for instance it may trigger the US NGAD to have similar performance specifications, maybe even force them to rehash the LRS-B as a high supersonic/hypersonic).

However, of course nothing is certain right now, although even if this MiG-41 would settle for the more "sedate" MiG-31 performance ("just" M2.8), the latest radars, missiles, avionics and materials used in such a "MiG-31M2" will surely make it still a formidable interceptor.

Of interest is also the statement about "hundreds" of MiG-31s being refurbished and put back in service, presumably it refers to aircraft outside of the current BM, BSM programs? (there are a lot of first generation MiG-31s stored, although how well they have been stored and how usable are they after a considerable length of time in mostly open storage i don't know)

Original post

Member for

11 years 4 months

Posts: 240

I am glad that you could buy this kind of "Nothing comes close" marketing. And I am sure that if you are willing to buy it, you could also be intersted in buying a piece or another that it happens I am in exclusive charge for sale at very intersting prices just for a few more days.

Special discounts apply for buying at least 2 of the 3 presented items.

I hope that you could appreciate this friendly skeptimism towarrd what you posted and on a more serious note please before of discussing of any future Mig-41:

1) Can you please give us an update on the status of the more basic Mig-35? As an aviation enthusiast I could welcome a concept like the Mig-41 you tried to describe above, but I would love to fly at a certain safe altitude before reaching 40 k feet. at the moment Mikoyan Gurevich seems to fly at avery low level, even vs. Sukhoi is reaching right now.

2) Can you give us any reason for Russia spending bilions in discutible military concepts after Soviet Union collapsed also for a non sustinable military expenditures? Is Russia going to make the same errors that USSR did just a few decades ago? Oh and please don’t mention me anything about Ukraina. Before anything like the supposed Mig-41 would have the maiden flight, Mr. Putin would be probably already been proplerly mummified and sanctified.

Member for

12 years 3 months

Posts: 5,905

Hyperstealth.

The speed is not a goal by itself. The alt is. So the thing is supposed to fly higher hence at Mach_Whatever.

Rem:
By this way, Ru could keep MiG on the run for relatively cheap.

This is what Fr should hve done.

Member for

10 years 11 months

Posts: 2,040

I am glad that you could buy this kind of "Nothing comes close" marketing. And I am sure that if you are willing to buy it, you could also be intersted in buying a piece or another that it happens I am in exclusive charge for sale at very intersting prices just for a few more days.

Special discounts apply for buying at least 2 of the 3 presented items.

I hope that you could appreciate this friendly skeptimism towarrd what you posted and on a more serious note please before of discussing of any future Mig-41:

1) Can you please give us an update on the status of the more basic Mig-35? As an aviation enthusiast I could welcome a concept like the Mig-41 you tried to describe above, but I would love to fly at a certain safe altitude before reaching 40 k feet. at the moment Mikoyan Gurevich seems to fly at avery low level, even vs. Sukhoi is reaching right now.

2) Can you give us any reason for Russia spending bilions in discutible military concepts after Soviet Union collapsed also for a non sustinable military expenditures? Is Russia going to make the same errors that USSR did just a few decades ago? Oh and please don’t mention me anything about Ukraina. Before anything like the supposed Mig-41 would have the maiden flight, Mr. Putin would be probably already been proplerly mummified and sanctified.

when it comes to mack8
extreme optimism when it comes to Russia
extreme pessimism when it comes to the US

Member for

15 years 5 months

Posts: 6,983

Interceptors are built in response to something,
but MiG-41 would be in response to what ?

Member for

18 years 8 months

Posts: 232

or have the Russians have seen the limits of stealth and would rather up the ante to speed and modern weapons?
Its like a 2015 version of a F-15 with modern avionics,engines and upgraded airframe to handle higher speeds and G forces.
interesting development maybe just a side show

Member for

11 years 10 months

Posts: 980

Where are they going to get the money for this? I don't know for sure, but the Russian defense budget isn't exactly exploding with funds.

Member for

12 years 1 month

Posts: 355

They can sell some bonds to China like US. :stupid:

Member for

17 years 8 months

Posts: 275

Where are they going to get the money for this? I don't know for sure, but the Russian defense budget isn't exactly exploding with funds.

National Defense budget for 2014 is 77 Billion. The state defence order budget is 61 Billion.(partially done with loans) Altogether 138 billion vs 90 Billion something last year.

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 3,381

Interceptors are built in response to something,
but MiG-41 would be in response to what ?

A MiG-31 replacement could also succeed/complement Su-34 and potentially replace Tu-22M3 also. Without crediting any specific rumour, I think it very likely that (a) replacements for these platforms are being contemplated for service entry before 2030 and that (b) platform/program consolidation is desired.

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 6,441

I have very little hope that we will see any Revolution on this New interceptor design.. Funding being the largest problem.
I think we will rather see an evolution, like some minor reshaping of the Foxhound airframe, to perhaps include internal W-bays and more sensores. An New huge AESA radar. Same, but improved engines, Fuel consumption, life hour, less weight or more thrust..
Perhaps the most important one being newer and better material, perhaps shedding off some weight.

Anyway, it would just cost an fraction, than lets say an all New design that the media are selling here..

Member for

12 years 7 months

Posts: 4,731

Where are they going to get the money for this? I don't know for sure, but the Russian defense budget isn't exactly exploding with funds.

Money is least of problem. . It could be the 6th generation project of post 2020.

Member for

11 years 10 months

Posts: 980

I was under the impression the Russians were still lacking in the cashy money dept.

Member for

13 years 10 months

Posts: 96

Personally, I would love to see the production line of the MiG-31 be reopen again, with an updated air frame that utilizes modern avionics, new engine, more composite material and titanium, still makes for a great aircraft.

With the introduction of Drones, and future Hypersonic missiles and vehicles, a future Interceptor is a must. And as for money I think that is the last of their problem. Here is a country that is pumping out Next Gen SSBN and ICBM and is doing so without a problem.

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 3,381

I was under the impression the Russians were still lacking in the cashy money dept.

Lacking compared to enormous backlog from fifteen years of non-existent funding, but not by any other standard, and the economic outlook (to 2030) is bright.

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 9,579

I was under the impression the Russians were still lacking in the cashy money dept.

Lacking in what sense?

1.) Russia objectively has plenty of money.
2.) The Armed forces have in recent years seen a steady rise in funding, especially massive considering the spending of the 2000s.
3.) The armed forces needs spending in just about every direction, so I would say it is not a matter of money, but priority. There is no money for everything the military wants, not without unwelcome economic effects. Either they decide this supposed MiG-41 is a priority, and it becomes a fully funded, 100% secure project (like PAK-FA was, with our without export partners), or the Duma Deputat will keep dreaming over a paper project.

I am still leaning towards dreaming until I hear more serious confirmation.

The Duma was debating restarting MiG-31 production a little while ago, for god knows what reasons, when there are plenty of airframes left to modernize, and when Sokol is utterly inadequate to do anything of the sort without basically completely rebuilding half the facility.

Member for

17 years 7 months

Posts: 4,951

I more fear MiG-31 being modernized to a low SFC and super cruising at Mach 1.5, standoff bomber destroyer integrated into system 500 than a new airframe. A supplement to Sukhoi's T-50 like F-15C Golden Eagle supplements F-22.

Member for

12 years 7 months

Posts: 4,731

I was under the impression the Russians were still lacking in the cashy money dept.

current investments in infrastructure will allow it to fund 6th generation fighter beyond pakfa in post 2020 period. I am sure during prototype testing of pakfa a lot of experience will be gained so better start work now. it takes couple of years of design, material work before first flight.

Member for

19 years 8 months

Posts: 1,838

I believe the mig41 is actually a modernized version of the mig31 and there is a typo or a mistake about its new spped, which will be increased, probably to M3-3.3

Member for

11 years 10 months

Posts: 980

OK. What's wrong with the T-50 replacing the MiG-31? Speed? Though, I have to admit, I'd love to see a Mach 4 fighter from any nation take flight.

Member for

11 years 2 months

Posts: 1,059

My bet would be a blending of the Mig-31 and YF-12 concepts.

Mach 4 maybe not but I do not doubt it could cruise at Mach 3, if it happens.