Modernization of MiG-31 aircraft continues
Since 2007 Russian aviation the industry is implementing a major program of overhaul and modernization of the existing fleet of MiG-31 fighter-interceptors. Recently, new details of the modernization of a technical and organizational nature have become known. In addition, they revealed the existence of new developments for further aircraft upgrades.
Official visit
Overhaul and modernization of interceptors according to the modern MiG-31BM project is carried out by the Sokol aircraft plant in Nizhny Novgorod with the participation of a number of suppliers of necessary products and under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense. The other day, the production was once again checked by the delegation of the contracting authority.
On November 25, the Sokol plant was visited by Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko. The deputy minister inspected the production facilities and got acquainted with the progress of the current work on the modernization of the interceptors. Then a meeting was held on the implementation of the state defense order.
The Sokol management reported on the work carried out and the successes achieved, and also revealed some plans for the future. So, it is reported that recently it was possible to almost completely fulfill import substitution. Almost 100% of the necessary parts and assemblies come from Russian manufacturers. The services of suppliers from the post-Soviet countries were refused.
Work on the modernization of aircraft to the MiG-31BM is carried out rhythmically and at the required pace. Less than a year passes from admission to delivery of the interceptor. At the same time, the timing of the repair and renewal of a particular machine largely depends not on the capabilities of the Sokol, but on the work of suppliers of the second and third orders.
Technical details
The project of aircraft restoration with bringing to the “BM” state was developed in the late nineties, but later it was repeatedly refined and improved. During the visit of the delegation of the Ministry of Defense, the leadership of "Sokol" disclosed or clarified some details of the work and the whole project in its current form.
First of all, the arriving plane is disassembled; all components and assemblies are removed from the airframe. Then the glider undergoes troubleshooting, according to the results of which a plan for its repair and the amount of work required are determined. The next step is to replace the corroded areas of metal parts. Depending on the age, operating characteristics and general condition of the aircraft, this replacement costs from 15 to 50 percent. designs.
In the next stages, other products and components are replaced. New wiring harnesses are being laid to match the updated equipment. All rubber products are also replaced. A new canopy is being installed. According to the Sokol's management, such overhaul measures make it possible to ensure practically trouble-free operation of equipment in service.
The second goal of the MiG-31BM project is a complete replacement of onboard radio-electronic equipment. In place of obsolete devices, a radar station, a weapon control system, navigation and communication aids, as well as other means and assemblies of modern models are mounted. All new equipment is of Russian origin. Its implementation provides an almost threefold increase in the combat effectiveness of the interceptor in comparison with the base model.
New modernization
It is noteworthy that the process of updating the MiG-31 does not stop, and a new project of this kind is being developed right now. According to the management of the Sokol plant, replacement of control systems is envisaged. Instead of the existing mechanical wiring, it is proposed to implement the fly-by-wire control.
The design of such a modification of the aircraft has already been completed. In addition, one of the existing interceptors underwent a corresponding re-equipment. He is now on state trials. The exact results of such a project have not yet been named, but the very fact of bringing it to state tests is conducive to optimism.
From a technical point of view, the proposed project has several interesting features. So, the introduction of EDSU implies the rejection of the existing basic mechanical control systems. At the same time, the interceptor receives updated controls in the cockpit and electric actuators on the rudders. In addition, it is planned to install new computers that process commands from the pilot and transmit them to the appropriate drives.
Present and future
Serial modernization of interceptors according to the latest MiG-31BM project started at the beginning of the last decade and is still successfully continuing. Moreover, within the next few years it may be completed, and all aircraft of the combat fleet will be of modern modifications.
According to various sources, the Aerospace Forces has up to 150 "active" MiG-31 fighters of all modifications. By 2019-20 about a hundred vehicles were upgraded to "BM". Accordingly, it took only a few years to update the remaining equipment. So, in 2018, the management of the United Aircraft Corporation argued that the entire program could be completed by 2023. At the same time, the future of aircraft in storage remains unknown and unclear. It is quite possible that some of these machines will also go for overhaul and modernization for their subsequent return to service.
The results of the current modernization are obvious - both for specific aircraft and for the interceptor fleet as a whole. The main result is to restore technical readiness and extend the service life. Due to this, the MiG-31BM will be able to remain in service for at least 10-12 years. It is expected that such interceptors will guard our borders until at least the early or mid-thirties.
The radical renewal of the avionics complex is of great importance. The new sighting and navigation system is distinguished by an increased target detection range and an increased number of tracked objects. In addition, the speed is growing and the capabilities for group use and work in the general air defense circuits are improving.
Equally important is the updating of weapons control systems. MiG-31BM retains the entire range of ammunition of previous modifications, and also gets the opportunity to use modern weapons... At the same time, the potential of the aircraft in the context of armaments has not yet been fully used. This is confirmed by the MiG-31K project, in which the interceptor fighter received a large and heavy Dagger missile.
In the foreseeable future, work on the introduction of an EDSU can be successfully completed. This system will simplify the control of the aircraft and to some extent relieve the pilot. In addition, new technical possibilities are opening up for the use of autopilots and other systems of this kind - up to the creation of unmanned modifications of the interceptor. However, it is not known whether they will be used.
Realization of perspectives
Thus, despite its considerable age, the MiG-31 interceptor remains a very successful platform for avionics and weapons and has not yet developed its modernization potential. Through timely maintenance and repair, as well as by replacing components and assemblies, you can both extend the resource and get new opportunities - which is clearly demonstrated by the latest projects "BM" and "K".
At the same time, the industry is successfully coping with all the tasks set. With the required results, a full-scale aircraft modernization program continues and is even being completed, and at one of the stages, the renovation project was improved taking into account import substitution. In addition, new modernization projects are being created, the effect of which will be fully manifested only in the future.
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