Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA9701
MIG-31K Foxhound D with KH-47M2 missile, 2022 
 
General Background
The MiG-31 (NATO - Foxhound) is a two-seater long-range supersonic interceptor fighter. The MiG-31 was developed in the 1970s and completed Its maiden flight in September 1975. The MiG-31 set several world records by reaching an altitude of 37,650 meters (123,523 ft) in 1977 as well as setting a time-to-altitude record of 35,000 meters (114,829 ft) in 4 minutes 11.78 seconds. The MiG-25 “Foxbat” was the basis for the MiG-31 “Foxhound” but equipped with the latest digital avionics that allows it to operate in all weather conditions and the first Soviet aircraft to have look-down shoot-down capability.
 
The Aircraft 
The 31st IAP (Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment) is based at Millerovo near the Ukrainian border. They retired their MiG-29s for the newer Su-30SM fighters to equip two squadrons. There are 16 Su-30SMs numbers 01 – 11 and 21 – 28. The Su-30SM is based on the export version built for India. The Russian Air Force ordered 60 Su-30SM with the Russian Navy ordering 12 for their carriers and plan on ordering 48 additional for their land based units. In 2015 the 31th Aviation Regiment Red 03 was stationed at Khmeimim AB Syria.
 
The Aircraft
The MiG-31 was developed as an interceptor but when Russia developed the Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missile they needed an aircraft that could carry the missile’s heavy weight so the MiG-31K was developed as an attack aircraft. The normal bomb and missile load of the MiG-31BM was replaced by an adaptation to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal “Dagger” that has a 2,000 km range. Ten of the MiG-31BMs have so far been converted. The 764th Fighter Aviation Regiment is the first front-line MiG-31K operator and is expected to have around 24 MiG-31K aircraft including 31 BLUE RF-92332.