Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II vs Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31
Full specs: Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 are both fighter aircraft, compared here on public specifications. The Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 leads on max speed (3,000 vs 1,960 km/h). Several Russia-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
Compare systems side by side
Search above to add up to five systems. You’ll get a per-spec winner, relative bars, a normalized spec profile and an honest verdict, every number from public sources.
Building a fleet? Try the Force Builder →
Full data
Full spec sheet
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 1,960 km/h | 3,000 km/h ✓ |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | 1.6 Mach | 2.83 Mach ✓ |
| Range (km) | 2,200 km | 3,000 km ✓ |
| Combat radius (km) | 1,240 km ✓ | 720 km |
| Service ceiling (m) | 15,240 m | 20,600 m ✓ |
| Thrust-to-weight | 0.87 ✓ | 0.85 |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 10 ✓ | 6 |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 8,160 kg | 9,000 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 15.67 m | 22.69 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 13,290 kg | 21,820 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 22,470 kg | 41,000 kg |
| Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 191 kN ✓ | 152 kN |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $82,500,000 | N/A |
| Units built | 1,100 ✓ | 519 |
| Operator countries | 20 ✓ | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31? +
The Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 3,000 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 has the longest range at 3,000 km.
Which carries the larger weapons payload? +
The Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 carries the largest weapons payload at 9,000 kg.
Which is cheaper? +
The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II has the lower public unit-cost figure at 82,500,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher max speed (mach)? +
The Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 has the higher max speed (mach) at 2.83 Mach.
Which has the higher combat radius? +
The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II has the higher combat radius at 1,240 km.
Is the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II better than the Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31? +
On the public specs we track, the Mikoyan (MiG) MiG-31 leads on 4 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
Keep exploring
