Lets discuss- Marathon sprinters: SR-71 vs Mig-31, which was the better value ????

[Nzinga]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2; Pilot and reconnaissance systems officer (RSO)
• Length: 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m)
• Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m)
• Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
• Wheel track: 16 ft 8 in (5 m)
• Wheelbase: 37 ft 10 in (12 m)
• Wing area: 1,800 sq ft (170 m2)
• Aspect ratio: 1.7
• Empty weight: 67,500 lb (30,617 kg)
• Gross weight: 152,000 lb (68,946 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,018 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 12,219.2 US gal (10,174.6 imp gal; 46,255 l) in 6 tank groups (9 tanks)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K) continuous-bleed afterburning turbojets, 25,000 lbf (110 kN) thrust each

JT11D-20J 32,500 lbf (144.57 kN) wet (fixed inlet guidevanes) JT11D-20K 34,000 lbf (151.24 kN) wet (2-position inlet guidevanes)
Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,910 kn (2,200 mph, 3,540 km/h) at 80,000 ft (24,000 m)
• Maximum speed: Mach 3.32[N 5]
• Ferry range: 2,824 nmi (3,250 mi, 5,230 km)
• Service ceiling: 85,000 ft (26,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 11,820 ft/min (60.0 m/s)
• Wing loading: 84 lb/sq ft (410 kg/m2)
• Thrust/weight: 0.44

 

[Nzinga]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 (pilot and weapons systems officer)
• Length: 22.62 m (74 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 13.456 m (44 ft 2 in)
• Height: 6.456 m (21 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 61.6 m2 (663 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 21,820 kg (48,105 lb)
• Gross weight: 41,000 kg (90,390 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 46,200 kg (101,854 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 35,550 lb (16,130 kg) internals, plus optional external fuel tanks[14]
• Powerplant: 2 × Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofan engines, 93 kN (21,000 lbf) thrust each dry, 152 kN (34,000 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 3,000 km/h (1,900 mph, 1,600 kn) at 21,500 m (70,538 ft) / Mach 2.83

1,500 km/h (930 mph; 810 kn) / Mach 1.21 at low altitude

• Cruise speed: 2,500 km/h (1,600 mph, 1,300 kn) / Mach 2.35
• Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi) with 4 x R-33E and 2 drop tanks

5,400 km (3,400 mi; 2,900 nmi) with 4 x R-33E and 2 drop tanks with one aerial refueling[113]

• Combat range: 1,450 km (900 mi, 780 nmi) at Mach 0.8 and 10,000 m (32,808 ft)

720 km (450 mi; 390 nmi) at Mach 2.35 and 18,000 m (59,055 ft)[114]

• Service ceiling: 25,000 m (82,000 ft) +[115]
• g limits: +5
• Rate of climb: 288 m/s (56,700 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 665 kg/m2 (136 lb/sq ft)
• Thrust/weight: 0.85

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23M rotary cannon with 800 rounds (later removed)
• Hardpoints:8 × underwing pylons with provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Missiles: Air-to-air missiles:

 

[Nzinga]

The SR71 is 10miles per hour faster at top speed; The SR71 also can operate at 1000m higher.

The Mig accelerates faster; climbs faster, and turns faster.


The SR71 was made of extremely expensive tungsten, which was surreptiously obtained from the Soviet Union through front companies
created by the CIA. The pilots of the SR-71 were the best the US could find, and had to be of test pilot status. Overall, about 800 men qualified
as pilots of this marvel of engineering


The Mig 31 is thought to be made of high temperature resistant Nickel-steel alloy (no one knows since the only countries that have ever had a Mig 31
are Russia and Kazakhstan). Any qualified pilot can fly the Mig-31. The plane carries ultra-long range missiles for the purpose of hunting down
such planes as the SR-71