The Foxhound's New Tricks

摘要

The Russian Air Force's (RuAF's) once mighty and feared MiG-31 Foxhound force is set for resurgence. That's because of the need to fill large gaps in the air defence networks in Russia's remote and sparsely populated northern and far eastern regions and support the country's recently-launched ambitious military expansion and natural resources exploration strategy in the Arctic. The Foxhound is in a class of its own as a heavyweight ultra-long-range interceptor, equipped with powerful radar and long-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles (AAMs). The type is capable of supersonic cruise at Mach 2.32 (1,348 knots/2,500km/h) at high altitude with afterburner and it can also go supersonic in the climb. Its range and speed performance, combined with its mission suite and weapons, enable the Foxhound to intercept air, land and sea-launched cruise missiles at distances of 1,200-2,000 kilometres (647 to 1,079 nautical miles) away. It's a proven aircraft that's well suited to operations from austere bases in harsh winter conditions.