Russia picks MiG-31 fighter as a carrier for cutting-edge hypersonic weapon

MiG-31 fighter jet © Russian Defense Ministry

TASS highlights the history of creation and the unique potential integrated into the Russian fighter-interceptor, and also the capabilities of the Kh-47M2 invincible missile

In March 2018, the world learnt that Russia possessed the Kinzhal (Dragger) unique airborne hypersonic missile system designed to destroy ground and sea targets. The MiG-31 supersonic long-range all-weather fighter jet developed by the MiG Design Bureau during the Soviet period and accepted for service in 1981 was chosen as a carrier for the new missile system.

The MiG-31 or the Foxhound as it is called in the West is a veteran of Russia’s Aerospace Force but is still unique by its speed and altitude capabilities.

The fighter jet can easily climb to an altitude of 25 km and accelerate to 3,000 km/h, after which the missile that reaches the point of its discharge within minutes starts its autonomous flight. Nuclear and conventional munitions are delivered to the target to a distance of up to 2,000 km. Moreover, the missile can deal a serious blow on the enemy without entering its heavily protected air and anti-ballistic missile defense system.

Thanks to the MiG-31’s high performance characteristics, the hypersonic missile with low radar signature and highly maneuverable capabilities of the Kinzhal system (the Kh-47M2 missile as some open sources report) has no rivals in the world..

"From December 2017, the first aviation unit in Russia’s Southern Military District armed with the Kinzhal hypersonic missile system went on experimental and combat duty to test the fundamentals of the system’s combat use.

“This is far from being fantastic,” Deputy Defense Minister Borisov says.

“Moreover, this is a class of precision weapons fitted with multifunctional combat capabilities making it possible to strike both stationary and mobile targets. Specifically, aircraft carriers and cruiser-class warships, destroyers and frigates are potential targets for this weapon,” the defense official said."

So it seems some expert have suggested that Russia may station MiG-31 armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missile system in Syria

"Besides, close to the Black Sea area is Syria where we have our interests, the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Hmeymim and Tartus military bases. It is not ruled out that the Kinzhal may also come in useful in this region, all the more so as the distance from the Krasnodar Region to Syria is not very large. It takes half an hour flight by a MiG-31 fighter jet"

Viktor Litovkin

TASS military expert

"I believe that the strategic Tu-22M3 long-range aircraft will also be upgraded in a perspective as Kinzhal carriers. They are supersonic and can also take on a large load of munitions (12 tonnes), including the Kinzhal. The only thing to be done is to make structural changes in the aircraft"

Viktor Litovkin

TASS military expert

Телеканал Звезда
Published on Apr 16, 2018
Panoramic video takeoff fighters VKS RF from the airfield near Tver