F-35 vs mig-31BM

[hornetfinn]

i know the f-35 will detect the mig-31 first due to it's stealth , but i also think the range of mig-31's radar is enough to get a fire solution before get in to the range of aim-120 , the irbis-e on su-30 can already detect f-35 from 90 km , and zaslon-m is bigger , using L-band and alot more powerful than irbis-e, the aim-120 motor only have burn time of 5 seconds , and it will have to climb up to attack the mig-31 so it likely that the max range is very short ( like ground launched aim-120 have max range of only 20 km ) , how about the problem of high altitude ? ( can the aim-120 turn at 70-80K feet ? )
IRST can be used to detect enemy missiles as well so mig-31 can turn aways or decelerate when it detect an aim-120 coming at it ( reduce the range if aim-120 )
and since the speed is too different ( cruise speed mach 2.3 vs mach 0.8 ) it really hard if not impossible for the F-35 to attack mig-31 from any angle rather than head on

First, Su-30 does not carry Irbis-E radar, only Su-35S does. Even if you are speaking about Su-35S, it can not detect F-35 from 90 km away. It can detect a target with RCS of 0.01 m2 at that range with quite low probability (50 percent stated, which means a lot of false targets in real life). F-35 is supposed to have about ten times better frontal RCS than that, leaving detection range of about 40-45 km. That is max detection range, not tracking range, meaning it can detect that something is in the sky in some direction. Usually those max range modes don't have ability to even distinguish range to the target. Tracking range would be only about 60 percent of that range (charts for that can be found in many radar tech handbooks), meaning Su-35S could actually track F-35 when it comes closer than about 25 km. That is in perfect conditions without any jamming against incoming F-35.

While bigger, Zaslon-M radar is not much better than Irbis-E radar as the latter is newer design. Actually Russian reports state that Zaslon-M can detect a bomber with RCS of 20 m2 from 400 km away and track the same target about 200 km away and can track 24 targets simultaneously with 8 engaged at the same time. Irbis-E can detect smaller targets at the same distance and track 30 targets and engage 8 simultaneously. Besides, it's not an L-band radar but rather an X-band radar like practically all other fighter radars. L-band radar with fighter sized antenna would have way too poor resolution for it to be effective.

Other thing is that IRST in MiG-31 and all other Russian aircraft is several generations behind EOTS and DAS found in F-35. IRST in MiG-31 might detect the launch of AIM-120 if it looked exactly the right direction when it launched (from a close range as the system is very old tech) and operator was looking at the IRST display at that moment as there is no automation in the system. It would not however be capable of knowing what weapon was launched, who launched it, how far away it is and where it's going. At the same time F-35 pilot would probably be able to count the missile hanging under the MiG-31 using EOTS and track any missiles with DAS.

AMRAAM would definitely be capable of killing MiG-31 even if MiG is flying at highest altitudes and speeds. Of course the WEZ would be much smaller than against slower target at lower (no low) altitudes creating some problems for engagement. MiG-25s have been killed with AIM-7 missiles at high altitudes even though AIM-7 has significantly lower performance than AMRAAM. MiG-25 has quite similar performance at high altitude as MiG-31, although of course -31 is much more advanced otherwise. I don't think raw performance of MiG-31 would be enough to reliably counter AMRAAM, even though it could help in some instances.

[disconnectedradical]

I think this is the same kid as "mig-31bm" over at Key Publishing forums. Keypubs lately have been a safe haven for idiots like "mig-31bm", "Tu 160", "JSR", and "Scooter".

[newmanfrigan]

My favorite Keypubs guy is the one who posts patent and promotional material from Russia and then extrapolates it wildly into "magic RAM" for the PAKFA...also magic engines...magical TR modules etc. He also praises himself as having a "global first" scoop on some BS every time...even when it's a dumb press release. The level of stupidity bent to the purpose of Russophilia over there is breathtaking.

[Corsair1963]

I think this is the same kid as "mig-31bm" over at Key Publishing forums. Keypubs lately have been a safe haven for idiots like "mig-31bm", "Tu 160", "JSR", and "Scooter".

"He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.............

[haavarla]

Some cool coverage of Su-30SM

http://fotografersha.livejournal.com/436952.html