| MiG-31 | MiG-31M |
The MiG-31M is a Soviet fighter aircraft available to Warsaw Pact forces.
History[]
The MiG-31M (NATO reporting name "FOXHOUND") is an upgraded variant of the MiG-31 first appearing in 1985. It carries the more powerful Zaslon-M radar, and can guide six R-37 Vympel missiles at as many targets. The R-37 featured superior performance and a new guidance system compared to the older R-33. Since the MiG-31M was developed entirely to fulfill the long-range interception role, its gun was deleted. The "M" also carries an IRST pod and laser range finder for enhanced passive detection capability.
Overview[]
AirLand Battle[]
The MiG-31M is a slightly more expensive prototype variant of the MiG-31 with better interception characteristics. The ECM has been improved, which lessens the aircraft's vulnerability to long-range SAMs and AAMs, however the largest improvement is to the MiG-31M's aerial weapon compliment. The R-37 provides slightly better range and accuracy compared to the baseline MiG-31's R-33E, but much more significantly, the R-37 is a Fire and Forget missile. This allows the MiG-31M to fire and break away from its target, mitigating the potential that the target aircraft will be able to bring its own missiles to bear on the Foxhound.
The major drawback of the MiG-31M is the deletion of the GSh-6-23 cannon found on the baseline MiG-31. Although the MiG-31M is superior as an interceptor compared to the basic Foxhound, it is also entirely pigeon-holed into that role. It has no ability to attack enemy helicopters, and cannot be used to attack ground targets. It also has no way to defend itself if an enemy fighter gets in close, having neither close-range missiles, or a gun to fight its way off the battlefield. The aircraft can ONLY be used to fire long-range missile shots at enemy aircraft as they appear. Flying with an escort of inexpensive fighters with short range weapons, such as the MiG-21 or -23 will provide some cover for the MiG-31M if enemy fighters get too close.
Red Dragon[]
The MiG-31M in Wargame: Red Dragon is a slightly more expensive variant of the MiG-31 with better interception characteristics. The ECM has received a bump from its AirLand Battle configuration to 40%, making the MiG-31M much more survivable to long-range SAMs and AAMs. The MiG-31M is armed with six R-37 Vympel missiles, which have the same range and accuracy characteristics as the AIM-54 and grant the MiG-31M first shot against every NATO airframe except the F-14 Tomcat.
The strengths and weaknesses of the MiG-31M are largely the same in Red Dragon as in AirLand Battle; the type still does not carry a cannon or short range missiles, and so is only good for use as a long-range interceptor.
AirLand Battle[]
| Weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | AAM | No Weapon | No Weapon |
| Name | R-37 Vympel | ||
| Caliber | |||
| Ammo | x 6 | ||
| Range | Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = 11900 m
|
||
| Accuracy | 7 | ||
| AP Power | 0 | ||
| HE Power | 8 | ||
| Suppression | 320 | ||
| Rate of fire | 10 r/min |
Red Dragon[]
| Weapons | 
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | AAM | No Weapon | No Weapon |
| Name | R-37 Vympel | ||
| Caliber | Radar AoE, F&F | ||
| Ammo | x 6 | ||
| Range | Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = 11900 m
|
||
| Accuracy | 40% | ||
| Stabilizer | 40% | ||
| AP Power | 0 | ||
| HE Power | 8 | ||
| Suppression | 320 | ||
| Rate of fire | 10 r/min |
Gallery[]
