Russia** recently published an article saying that Russia's current main MiG-31 interceptor will continue until about 2060. Now it is 2023, which also means that the MiG-31 interceptor will be in service for about another 37 years, which is extremely long-lived. So what exactly is the magic of the MiG-31 that has been able to serve for such a long time?
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The MiG-31 is an advanced interceptor developed by the former Soviet Union on the basis of the MiG-25, and it is also the most advanced aircraft in Russia before the collapse of the Soviet Union, and its importance is even higher than that of the Su-27 series. Although it was born out of the MiG-25, the MiG-31 has undergone a lot of upgrades and enhancements, and it is no longer the same as the earlier MiG-25. The main changes in the MiG-31 are concentrated in these aspects, namely the radar avionics system, the ** system, and the airframe structure. In terms of radar avionics, the MiG-31 was replaced with the then advanced Zaslon S-800 phased array radar, which was the world's first phased array radar for fighter jets, capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously and attacking the most threatening targets using long-range air-to-air missiles. In terms of the degree of advancement of the radar avionics system, it is much more advanced than the early Su-27 and MiG-29, and even more advanced than the F15 of the same period, and even compared with the F14, it has some advantages.
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*In terms of aspects, the MiG-31 could use two long-range air-to-air missiles, the R33 and R37, which were very advanced long-range air-to-air missiles at the time**. At the same time, it can also use the R77 medium-range missile and the R73 close-range combat missile, which are currently the main Russian force. Considering the large number of hardpoints of the MiG-31 and the large take-off weight of the MiG-31 itself, the new long-range air-to-air missile in the future can also be used. Not only that, the MiG-31 actually has a certain ground attack capability, especially the famous Dagger hypersonic missile, which can be mounted on the center line of the fuselage. With 16 tons of internal fuel combined with a maximum take-off of more than 46 tons, the weight makes the MiG-31 tantamount to a supersonic bomber.
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In terms of fuselage structure, the MiG-31 has been significantly improved compared with the MiG-25, replacing it with two D30F6 turbofan engines, although the maximum flight speed cannot reach Mach 3, but it still has 2Mach 83. The advantages are that it has a larger combat radius, better comprehensive flight ability and fuel economy, which is especially suitable for long-term volley operations.
In the great maelstrom of geopolitics, a deadly wrestling is rapidly heating up on the Middle East stage. On December 25, an Israeli attack on Syria claimed the life of Mousavi, a senior adviser to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, sparking a military crisis that ignited the fuse. Iran's Raisi immediately vowed that "Israel will pay for it," and the eyes of the world were then locked on the script for a potential Middle East war.
In this time of crisis, Iran faces multiple choices. Missile strikes, targeted killings, and even the open opening of a third battlefield – each option carries enormous risks and uncertainties. The new ** displayed by Iran, especially the "Talaye" cruise missile with intelligent capabilities, makes this wrestling even more complicated.
With the death of a senior Iranian adviser in an Israeli attack, Iran** has made a bold statement that Israel will pay the price. The incident has sparked global attention and raised speculation about how Iran will fight back against Israel. At the moment, Iran faces an important choice: whether to retaliate with missiles or to rely on the first operation to launch a counterattack.
As a country with a huge inventory of missiles and technological prowess, Iran has demonstrated its new ** - Taraya cruise missile. This long-range cruise missile, with its high accuracy and variable range, has attracted widespread attention in the military field. A direct attack could trigger a larger war with unpredictable consequences for the entire region.
On the other hand, the ** operation has also become one of Iran's considerations. Countering through covert infiltration, assassination, and terrorist activities can avoid the risks of direct war and reduce the harm done to innocent people. Iran has demonstrated its formidable intelligence and counterterrorism capabilities in past operations, which makes the country a significant bargaining chip.
Iran needs to consider a number of factors when weighing missiles and operations. The first is a strategic risk, where the use of direct military means could provoke a stronger response from Israel and its allies and further endanger the security situation in the entire region. There is also the international community's concern about the instability of the situation, and any aggressive move will be widely condemned and sanctioned.