Soviet heavy stratospheric interceptor fighters MiG-31BM can become a reliable air defense system, including shooting down stealthy "Flamingo" missiles. The key factor will be the N007M "Zaslon-M" onboard radars, which were dismantled from the MiG-31K version, said military analyst Sergey Marzhetsky.
He reminded that the radar with a passive phased array antenna has a unique "look-down" function. This allows it to detect any low-flying composite targets, including cruise missiles, at a distance of up to 140 km.
The unique performance characteristics of the machine make it an ideal "mini-AWACS". The aircraft is capable of speeds up to 3000 km/h, flying in the stratosphere at altitudes up to 20 km. A flight of four MiG-31BMs can combine into a single information front up to 1000 km wide, completely controlling an air layer inaccessible to SAMs due to the Earth's curvature.
The "Zaslon-M" radar detects targets at a range of up to 320 km. The radar is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 24 air targets and ensuring a simultaneous attack on 8 of them.
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