The MiG-25 and MiG-31 in combat

[mixelflick]

Boy I miss these two in combat. Now I know the -25 got waxed in Desert Storm by F-15's and such, and even an F-16CJ took one down over Bosnia. But reading the accounts the put up a hell of a fight, and caused alot of mayhem given breaking up strike packages.

I tend to think the Mig-31 would have been a whole different ball of wax, properly flown if the Iraqi's had them. It's apparently held in high regard by the RAF pilots who've encountered it, and the onboard avionics coupled with the raw, Foxbat like performance would have been a tough customer.

Nobody wants war, but the prospect of F-15's meeting up with Foxhounds is enticing. I suppose much would depend upon AWAC's support etc, but from what I can see it'd be a toss up, particularly BVR...

[southernphantom]

I have to agree. I almost wonder if the MiG-31 would be more threatening than the Su-30 family. Aircraft employing hit-and-run tactics tend to be far more effective than those that stand and fight, in experience over Syria and Iraq.

[mixelflick]

My thoughts exactly. The ability to engage/disengage from even the Eagle is concerning...

By one account, Mig-25's eluded an absurd # of F-15's/sparrow shots during Gulf War I. Not sure how AMRAAM would change that equation, but the raw kinematic performance of the Mig-31 coupled with its improved range could be a game changer. One wonders if the Israeli's were thinking the same, when Mig-31's were set to be delivered to Iran/Syria (can't remember which)...

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

I agree, a MiG-31BM would be a potent addition to any airforce. Powerful radar, datalinking, unparalleled physical performance, payload.

[beepa]

Mig 31 and Go-Pro....those Russians and their dash cams....enjoy...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=10b_1386199300

[lookieloo]

I have to agree. I almost wonder if the MiG-31 would be more threatening than the Su-30 family.

Agreed... the most-ballyhooed Russian types (including the PAK-FA) are Western style with little Western substance; but Mig-31s actually scare me, true examples of what Russia does best. All these small air-forces buying Flankers will be disappointed in their deterrent/military value should the US and its allies come knocking, but a Foxhound equipped force might get its licks in, especially if it can be somehow protected on the ground.

[mixelflick]

I have to agree. I almost wonder if the MiG-31 would be more threatening than the Su-30 family.

Agreed... the most-ballyhooed Russian types (including the PAK-FA) are Western style with little Western substance; but Mig-31s actually scare me, true examples of what Russia does best. All these small air-forces buying Flankers will be disappointed in their deterrent/military value should the US and its allies come knocking, but a Foxhound equipped force might get its licks in, especially if it can be somehow protected on the ground.

Incredibly insightful, thank you.

If ever I'd like to see an airshow demo, the Foxhound is it. Someone once said it was like 2 F-14's, welded together. Supposedly, they're held in very high regard by the Brits and others. I wonder if they've been dismissed out of hand, due to our Desert Storm/Mig-25 experience.

To do so IMO, would be a grave mistake...

[old.iraqi.air.force]

Now I know the -25 got waxed in Desert Storm by F-15's and suc.

The two MIG-25s that shot down in Desert Storm on January 19-1991 was MiG-25RB wasn't PD or PDS the interceptor version, They were on mission to drag the coalition aircraft to the SAM areas not to engage, however on January 30-1991 there is two Iraqi MIG-25PDs piloted by formation leader Capt Mahmoud Awad from 97th squadron of Al-Habbaniyah AB and Capt Mohammed Al-Samarrai from 96th squadron Al-Qadisiyah AB, surprised and ambushed two U.S F-15 was in patrol to terminate the Iraqi aircraft trying to fly to Iran, the U.S F-15s were almost bingo fuel and the MIGs knows about that...
Briefly the Iraqi MIG-25PD piloted by Capt Mohammed Al-Samarrai hit the U.S F-15 with R-40RD missile.

This was called (Operation Samarra) in Iraqi air force.

If you are interested to knowing the details feel free..

[mor10]

My thoughts exactly. The ability to engage/disengage from even the Eagle is concerning...

By one account, Mig-25's eluded an absurd # of F-15's/sparrow shots during Gulf War I. Not sure how AMRAAM would change that equation, but the raw kinematic performance of the Mig-31 coupled with its improved range could be a game changer. One wonders if the Israeli's were thinking the same, when Mig-31's were set to be delivered to Iran/Syria (can't remember which)...

The Mig-31 is an interceptor, not a dog fighter, so I t would most likely use the same hit and run tactics as the Mig-25.

[mixelflick]

Now I know the -25 got waxed in Desert Storm by F-15's and suc.

The two MIG-25s that shot down in Desert Storm on January 19-1991 was MiG-25RB wasn't PD or PDS the interceptor version, They were on mission to drag the coalition aircraft to the SAM areas not to engage, however on January 30-1991 there is two Iraqi MIG-25PDs piloted by formation leader Capt Mahmoud Awad from 97th squadron of Al-Habbaniyah AB and Capt Mohammed Al-Samarrai from 96th squadron Al-Qadisiyah AB, surprised and ambushed two U.S F-15 was in patrol to terminate the Iraqi aircraft trying to fly to Iran, the U.S F-15s were almost bingo fuel and the MIGs knows about that...
Briefly the Iraqi MIG-25PD piloted by Capt Mohammed Al-Samarrai hit the U.S F-15 with R-40RD missile.
This was called (Operation Samarra) in Iraqi air force.
If you are interested to knowing the details feel free..

And what happened, it bounced off?

I keep hearing all these "F-15 was shot down" stories. The problem I have with that is that if true, there'd be some kind of absurb celebration in anti-western countries. OK maybe not absurd, but you know what I mean. The Eagle is touted as undefeated in air to air.

Where's the wreckage/video?

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

to be fair, o.i.a.f. said hit, not shot down. There are records of damaged F-15s that were repaired. he is also forgetting the F-16 shooting down the MiG-25 though.

[Prinz_Eugn]

to be fair, o.i.a.f. said hit, not shot down. There are records of damaged F-15s that were repaired. he is also forgetting the F-16 shooting down the MiG-25 though.

Can you imagine how discouraging that would have been?

"Hit! Hit! We finally got one!!"

...


...nevermind."

[mor10]

How the Mig-31 repelled the SR-71 Blackbird from Soviet skies

Myagkiy and its Weapons System Officer (WSO) were able to achieve a SR-71 lock on at 52,000 feet and at a distance of 120 Km from the target.

The Foxhound climbed at 65,676 feet where the crew had the Blackbird in sight and according to Myagkiy:


“Had the spy plane violated Soviet airspace, a live missile launch would have been carried out. There was no practically chance the aircraft could avoid an R-33 missile.”

After this interception Blackbirds reportedly began to fly their reconnaissance missions from outside the borders of the Soviet Union.

But the MiG-31s intercepted the SR-71 at least another time.

On Sept. 3, 2012 an article written by Rakesh Krishman Simha for Indrus.in explains how the Foxhound was able to stop Blackbirds spy missions over Soviet Union on Jun. 3, 1986.

That day, no less than six MiG-31s intercepted an SR-71 over the Barents Sea by performing a coordinated interception that subjected the Blackbird to a possible all angle air-to-air missiles attack.

Full article: http://theaviationist.com/2013/12/11/sr-71-vs-mig-31/

[huggy]

This pilot claims he got a visual on the SR-71 at over 120km? In a head on merge?

[bouliult]

This pilot claims he got a visual on the SR-71 at over 120km? In a head on merge?

No, not a visual, but a lock with his radar!