Lockheed CL-590-1
Yuri Ivashchenko para The Greatest Planes That Never WereShortly after the introduction of the MiG-31 high speed fighter-interceptor, Mikoyan i Gurevich began work on an aggressive redesign for an improved model. The MiG-31M was more optimized for beyond visual range than the base model at the expense of some of its close combat capability. Normally fitted just aft of the right wheel well, the GSh-23-6 23mm gatling gun was omitted on the MiG-31M. Carried semi conformally underbelly were six R-37 active radar homing missiles. It was also compatible with the new R-77 medium range active radar homer in place of the R-40 as the secondary weapon. Much of the analog instrumentation in the cockpits had been replaced with multifunction displays. The dorsal spine was enlarged to increase the internal fuel capacity. To improve pilot visibility the three piece front windscreen was replaced by a single piece. The Zaslon radar was replaced by the larger Zaslon-M, increasing the number of targets tracked to twenty four, and six targets simultaneous attack. Two jammer pods were fitted to the wingtips. Much like with other such deep modernization projects like the Su-27M and MiG-29M, the post Soviet Russian Air Force was financially incapable of acquiring these improved fighters.
PA28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder aircraft, Registration ZS-EXT from South West Africa Air Commando Squadron