The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 'Foxbat' was a Russian supersonic interceptor aircraft in service with the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War years. Not only was it the fastest aircraft of the late 1960s and early 1970s but it was also capable of flying at extremely high altitudes. The prototype, the Ye-155P-3, flew for the first time in 1966. The Mikoyan MiG-31 would be developed from this impressive aircraft.
The Russian pilot Viktor Belenko deserted the Soviet Air Force as he flew the MiG-25 during a routine mission and escaped to Japan, where he landed at Hokadate Airport, in 1976. This is how it became known to the general public in the Western world, because, until then, it was only known to Western countries secret services as the 'Foxbat'.
Technical Characteristics
Developed and manufactured by the State-run firm Mikoyan-Gurevich, the MiG-25 was fitted with cropped delta wings, which were mounted high on the fuselage, over the engines air intakes and with twin tail fins. The main version, which was the interceptor, was a one-seat aircraft, while the reconnaissance variant was a two-seat military aircraft. Its fuselage and wings were made of nickel alloy, reinforced with titanium in some areas. Powered by two Tumansky R-15B-300 after-burning turbojet engines, it could fly at the top speed of Mach 3.2 (3,470 km/h). It featured a powerful RP-25 Smerch radar, and an RV-UM radar altimeter.
Specifications
Type: Interceptor/reconnaissance
Length: 19.75 m (65 ft)
Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11.5 in)
Height: 6.1 m
Power Plant: two Tumansky R-15B-300 turbojet engines.
Maxium Speed: Mach 3.2
Combat Range: 1,730 km
Service Ceiling: 20,700 m
Armament: 4 air-to-air missiles: radar-guided R-40R, and/or infra-red-guided R-40T.
Below, the MiG-25 Boxbat in 1970
Below, a front view photo of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 at a Soviet airbase in 1969.
The Foxbat in flight. You can see its large wings.
Below, the MiG-25's tailfins and the engines' exhausts.
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