Russia Tests MiG-31 Jet with Fly-By-Wire Control System

Russia is carrying out state trials of the upgraded MiG-31 jet with a fly-by-wire control system.

On Thursday, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko visited Sokol aviation enterprise’s production facility. He checked the pace of work on repairing and upgrading MiG-31 fighters and also held a meeting on fulfilling the defense procurement plan, TASS reported Thursday.

The management of Sokol informed Krivoruchko that it was possible to switch from the mechanical to the fly-by-wire control system while using the MiG-31.

The MiG-31 can be heavily upgraded to the BM configuration. In the course of the fighter’s upgrade, its onboard equipment will be completely replaced. The combat plane will be also checked for faults to replace corrosion sections that may account for 15-50%. All the wiring and rubber pieces will be completely replaced along with the fighter’s canopy.

The combat efficiency of MiG-31 fighter-interceptors is expected to rise about threefold after their major repairs and upgrades.