September 16 marks the 35th anniversary of the first flight of the MiG-31 interceptor fighter. Until now, in many respects, this aircraft with Perm-made D-30F6 engines is considered the best in the world.
The D-30F6 engine, like the MiG-31 fighter, is a unique development of Soviet designers. D-30F6 became one of the first by-pass engines for supersonic aviation. High engine parameters provide the MiG-31 with a long range, unique rate of climb and altitude and speed characteristics. For the creation of this unique engine, many managers and specialists of the Perm Design Bureau (now - Aviadvigatel OJSC) and the plant named after V. I. Sverdlov (now - JSC "Perm Motor Plant") received state awards.
In the 1990s, the production of MiG-31 aircraft and D-30F6 engines was curtailed. But until now, the aircraft is on combat service in air regiments throughout Russia. One of these regiments is based in Perm.
According to Valery Grigoriev, commander of the Perm aviation regiment in the 90s, “The MiG-31 is one of the best aircraft of all times and peoples, it is an unsurpassed masterpiece of aircraft construction. It has not yet exhausted its potential in Soviet times and even now. By and large, this aircraft can be used for tens of years if it is constantly upgraded and new equipment is installed. There is no production aircraft in the world that flies at a speed of 3000 km / h and is capable of detecting air targets at such a range. I am proud that I flew a MiG-31. This is the most serious aircraft that I have met in my life."
