Mig 25 update / modernisation

[La Rouge Beret]

The F - 4 Phantom had numerous upgrades during its service life that extended its capability into the 21st century. A good example of this is the modernisation program provided to the Turkish Air Force Phantoms.

With current operators being Algeria, Azerbijan, Russia and Syria.

What upgrades could the Mig 25 have to extend its service life?

 

[Delta Force]

The MiG-31 is essentially that. The reason the MiG-25 was replaced instead of rebuilt was because the airframe itself was a limiting factor, as it was built out of heavy steel as a brute force but cheap and readily available way of allowing high Mach 2/early Mach 3 flight. That's unlike many other aircraft where the airframe itself is solid but avionics and engines are the limiting factor.

 

[AdA]

MiG25P in soviet service were given the PDS upgrade, giving them the capabilities of the PD advanced version. Export PD had the old P radar but the other upgrades. A basic upgrade package would be bringing the export versions up to soviet PD spec. But that would only be interesting in the 90s. From then on smart money would be on trying to get the best possible deal on Su27.

 

[NothingNow]

The MiG-31 is essentially that. The reason the MiG-25 was replaced instead of rebuilt was because the airframe itself was a limiting factor, as it was built out of heavy steel as a brute force but cheap and readily available way of allowing high Mach 2/early Mach 3 flight. That's unlike many other aircraft where the airframe itself is solid but avionics and engines are the limiting factor.

Pretty much.
It also added in a seat for an RIO, which was a massive gain in capabilities by itself, while the Turbo fans also reduced fuel consumption.

Admittedly, a MiG-31 can't hit mach 3 anymore, but considering how bad that was for the engines and airframe, it's not a disadvantage really.

If the MiG-31 had been built in a Reconnaissance variant as well, we wouldn't even be having this discussion, but I guess the higher maximum speed at altitude for the MiG-25 was a deciding factor there. Maybe a half-step between the MiG-25 and MiG-31 would work there. IIRC the R-15 and D-30F6 are pretty close in diameter.

 

[La Rouge Beret]

The reasons I ask is I am drafting an outline for a Cobra Command TL... and wanted to have pimped out Mig 25's with radar absorbent paint and better avionics.

Second generation aircraft are similar to YF 23...

 

[Delta Force]

The reasons I ask is I am drafting an outline for a Cobra Command TL... and wanted to have pimped out Mig 25's with radar absorbent paint and better avionics.

Second generation aircraft are similar to YF 23...

The MiG-25/MiG-31 series are high speed defensive interceptors. They were never designed for stealth because it doesn't matter for their role. They are simply a high speed platform for a long range radar/missile weapons system.

Also, an aircraft is never going to become stealthy simply because radar absorbing paint is applied. It's harder to detect, but doesn't meet the popular notions of stealth, as in being virtually impossible to detect.

 

[La Rouge Beret]

No I understand the difference, this is to minimise their RCS. Which if I look at the Aircraft would be fairly large IMHO.

If my understanding is correct an Interceptor, would be unable to create air superiority is this correct?

 

[Delta Force]

If my understanding is correct an Interceptor, would be unable to create air superiority is this correct?

Interceptors aren't designed to fight highly maneuverable aircraft such as fighters, but to destroy incoming enemy bombers. In an offensive role (or a "best defense is a good offense" scenario), they could try to do hit and run attacks on AWACS, electronic warfare aircraft, and tankers, but they aren't intended for maintaining offensive air superiority.