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The most important development was introducing an advanced radar capable of both look-up and look-down engagement (locating targets above and below the aircraft), as well as multiple target tracking. This finally gave the Soviets an interceptor able to engage the most likely Western intruders at long range. It also reflected a policy shift from reliance on [[ground-controlled interception]] (GCI) to greater autonomy for flight crews.
[[File:MiG-31 790 IAP Khotilovo airbase 2.jpg|thumb|MiG-31 from 790th Fighter Order of Kutuzov 3rd class Aviation Regiment on the ramp of Khotilovo airbase, Tver region.]]Like its MiG-25 predecessor, the MiG-31 was surrounded by early speculation and misinformation concerning its design and abilities. The West learned of the new interceptor from Lieutenant [[Viktor Belenko]], a pilot who defected to [[Japan]] in [[1976 in aviation|1976]] with his MiG-25P. Belenko described an upcoming "Super Foxbat" with two seats and an ability to intercept cruise missiles. According to his testimony, the new interceptor was to have air intakes similar to the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23]], which the MiG-31 does not have, at least not in production variants. While the MiG-31 was undergoing testing, an unknown aircraft was spotted by a [[reconnaissance satellite]] at the Zhukovsky flight test center near the town of [[Ramenskoye]]. The images were interpreted as a fixed-wing interceptor version of a [[swing-wing]] fighter [[NATO reporting name|codenamed]] "Ram-K". The latter was eventually revealed to be the [[Sukhoi Su-27]] 'Flanker', a wholly unrelated design.
Series production of the MiG-31 began in 1979 and about 500 were produced.
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