Russian MIG-41 fighter jet intercepts hypersonic weapon.

With a top speed of Mach 4 and a state-of-the-art armament, Russia claims the MiG-41 fighter jet is capable of intercepting hypersonic targets.

This statement, quoted by Sputnik as saying by the General Director of Russia's MiG corporation, Ilya Tarasenko, indicates that when operational, the MiG-41 will be capable of flying and operating in space. Currently, the MiG-41 Advanced Long-Range Interceptor Aviation Complex (PAK DP) is being developed to replace the MiG-31 high-altitude interceptor aircraft.

MiG-31 fighter jet.

Ilya Tarasenko asserted that the MiG-41 will be capable of performing missions in space. "We have been working on this. For us, it's the natural progression of the MiG-41. This will be a completely new technological aircraft. New technologies, stealth capabilities, space capabilities, new speeds, new ranges."

According to plan, the MiG-41 will enter service with the Russian Air Force after 2020. The MiG-41 fighter will possess all the advantages of its predecessor, the MiG-31, and will likely be able to reach speeds of Mach 4. This will allow the MiG-41 to shoot down hypersonic aircraft.

Although there is no further information about the MiG-41 interceptor fighter, Russian military experts assert that MiG will apply all new materials and adhere to the principles of 4++ and 5th generation aircraft manufacturing for the new fighter jet.

Despite being planned, the MiG-31 remains the backbone interceptor fighter of the Russian Air Force and currently boasts the fastest flight speed in the world. Furthermore, the Russian MiG-31 fleet is undergoing a comprehensive modernization process to enhance its combat capabilities.

After undergoing upgrades, older MiG-31 variants will be upgraded to the more modern MiG-31BM standard with new avionics and weapons systems. This upgrade is estimated to make the MiG-31BM 2.6 times more effective than its predecessor.

In late 2015, the air regiment stationed at Tsentralnaya Uglovaya air base in the Vladivostok region of Russia received three new MiG-31BM aircraft.

The Su-27 and MiG-31 fighter squadrons of this air regiment will be completely upgraded to the Su-27SM and MiG-31BM variants in 2016. This also means their operational lifespan will be extended until 2020 while the Russian Air Force completes the development of the MiG-41.

Video clip of a MiG-31 fighter jet intercepting a target:

According to Baodatviet