| MiG-25 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Interceptor/Reconnaissance |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB |
| First flight | 6 March 1964 |
| Introduced | 1970 |
| Status | Limited active service |
| Primary users | Russian
Air Force Algerian Air Force Syrian Air Force Armenian Air Force |
| Number built | 1,190 |
| Variants | Mikoyan MiG-31 |
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (Russian: МиГ-25) (NATO reporting name: Foxbat) is a high-supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance-bomber aircraft designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau. First flown as a prototype in 1964, it entered service in 1970. With a top speed of Mach 2.83+, a powerful radar and four air-to-air missiles, the MiG-25 worried Western observers and prompted development of the F-15 Eagle in late 1960s. The aircraft's capabilities were better understood in 1976 when Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko defected in a MiG-25 to the United States via Japan. The MiG-25 series had a production run of 1,190 aircraft.[1] The MiG-25 flew with a number of Soviet allies and former Soviet republics and it remains in limited service in Russia and several other nations.
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Overflights by American U-2s in the late 1950s revealed a need for higher altitude interceptor aircraft.[2] In 1960, Soviet intelligence learned of the US's development of the high altitude, Mach 3 A-12 reconnaissance aircraft.[3] A high altitude interceptor with high speed would also be needed to defend against the Mach 3 B-70 bomber then under development.[4][5] A variety of roles were considered for the prospective aircraft, including cruise missile carriers and even a small five to seven-passenger supersonic transport, but the main objective was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the Frontal Aviation and heavy interceptor for homeland defence. The Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB accepted the assignment effective 10 March 1961, carrying the bureau designation "Ye-155" (or "Е-155").
Because of the thermal stresses incurred in flight above Mach 2, Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB had difficulties with choosing what materials to use for the aircraft. They had to use E-2 heat-resistant plexiglass for the canopy, and much of high-strength stainless steel for the wings and fuselage. Using titanium rather than steel would have been ideal, but it was expensive and a difficult metal to shape with tools. The problem of cracks in welded titanium structures with thin walls could not be solved. So the heavier nickel steel was used instead. It cost far less than titanium and allowed for welding, along with heat resistance seals.[6] The MiG-25 was constructed from 80% nickel steel alloy, 11% aluminum and 8% titanium, 1% other materials.[7] The steel components were formed by a combination of spot-welding, automatic machine welding and hand arc welding methods. Interestingly a similar engine arrangement as that for the English Electric Lightning was one of the aircraft configurations considered. It was rejected because the size of the engines meant it would result in a very high aircraft which would complicate maintenance.[6]
The first prototype was a reconnaissance variant, designated "Ye-155-R1", and made its first flight on 6 March 1964. The first flight of the interceptor prototype, "Ye-155-P1", took place on 9 September 1964. Development, which represented a major step forward in Soviet aerodynamics, engineering and metallurgy, took several more years to complete. In the meantime several prototypes, under the cover designation "Ye-266" (or "Е-266"), made a series of record-setting flights in 1965, 1966, and 1967 for speed, altitude and climb to height. Several records still stand, in particular, on 31 August 1977, an Ye-266M flown by MiG OKB Chief Test Pilot Alexander Fedotov, set the recognized absolute altitude record for a jet aircraft under its own power, reaching 37,650 m (123,523.62 ft) at Podmoskovnoye, USSR in zoom climb (absolute altitude is a different record than the sustained altitude in horizontal flight). The aircraft was a MiG-25RB re-engined with the powerful R15BF2-300. It had earlier been part of the program to improve the aircraft's top speed that resulted in the MiG-25M prototype.[6]
Full scale production of the MiG-25P ('Foxbat-A') (interceptor) began in 1971. Interestingly, production of the MiG-25R ('Foxbat-B'), reconnaissance variant began earlier, in 1969. Introduction of the new aircraft into service went smoothly.[6] A non-combat trainer variant ('Foxbat-C') was also developed for each version, the MiG-25PU and MiG-25RU, respectively. The MiG-25R evolved several subsequent derivatives, including the MiG-25RB reconnaissance-bomber, the MiG-25RBS ('Foxbat-D') with side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), the MiG-25RBK ELINT aircraft, and the MiG-25BM ('Foxbat-F') SEAD variant, carrying four Raduga Kh-58 (NATO reporting name AS-11 'Kilter') anti-radiation missiles. The BM variant was introduced late into service, in 1988.
The MiG-25 was theoretically capable of a maximum speed of Mach 3+ and a ceiling of 90,000 ft (27,000 m). Plans for a new aircraft to develop the Foxbat's potential to go faster than the in-service limit of Mach 2.8 were designed as a flying prototype. Unofficially designated MiG-25M, it had new powerful engines R15BF2-300, improved radar, and missiles. This work never resulted in a machine for series production, however, as the coming MiG-31 showed more promise.[6]
Although intended for intercepting or threatening high-altitude, high-speed aircraft, the MiG-25's maneuverability, range, and close combat potential were extremely limited. Even its high speed was problematic: although sufficient thrust was available to reach Mach 3.2, a limit of Mach 2.8 had to be imposed as the turbines tended to overspeed and overheat at higher speeds, possibly damaging them beyond repair.[8][9][10][11][12] Inaccurate intelligence analyses caused the West to initially believe the MiG-25 was an agile air-combat fighter rather than an interceptor. In response, the United States started a new program which resulted in the F-15 Eagle.[13][14]
As the result of Belenko's defection and the compromise of the MiG-25P's radar and missile systems, beginning in 1976 the Soviets started to develop an advanced version, the MiG-25PD ('Foxbat-E').[6] This upgrade consisted of new RP-25 Sapfeer Saphir look-down/shoot-down radar, infrared search and track (IRST) system, other electronic improvements and more powerful R15B-300 engines. About 370 earlier MiG-25Ps were converted to this standard and redesignated MiG-25PDS.
Approximately 1,186 MiG-25s were produced by the time production ended in 1984, and the type was exported to Algeria, Bulgaria (3 MiG-25Rs and 1 MiG-25RUs until 1992), India (until 2006), Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
Western military got a better understanding of the MiG-25s capabilities on 6 September 1976, when a Soviet Air Defence Forces pilot, Lt. Viktor Belenko, defected, landing his MiG-25P at Hakodate Airport in Japan. The pilot overshot the runway on landing, damaging the landing gear and making the plane un-airworthy. It was carefully dismantled and analyzed by the Foreign Technology Division (now the National Air and Space Intelligence Center) of the United States Air Force, at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. After 67 days, the aircraft was returned to the Soviets in pieces. The analysis, based on technical manuals and ground tests of engines and avionics, showed some interesting facts:
Before entering operational service, two MiG-25R, and two MiG-25RB were sent to Egypt in March 1971 (they stayed till July 1972). They were operated by the Soviet 63rd Independent Air Detachement set up specially for this mission. Det 63 flew over Israeli held territory on reconnaissance missions roughly 20 times. The flights were in pairs at maximum speed and high altitude (between 17,000-23,000 m).[6]
On 6 November 1971, an Egyptian MiG-25 flying at Mach 2.5 was met by Israeli F-4Es and fired upon unsuccessfully.[17][18] A MiG-25 was tracked flying over Sinai at Mach 3.2 during this period. The MiG-25 oversped its engines, which led to their destruction.[3] Unit Det 63 was sent back home in 1972, though reconnaissance Foxbats were sent back to Egypt in 19-20 October 1973 during the Yom Kippur War.[17] Unit Det 154 remained there until late 1974.
The MiG-25 was in service with the Iraqi Air Force during the Iran–Iraq War, but its success against Iranian fighters is largely unknown. Research by journalist Tom Cooper shows that as many as fourteen MIG-25s may have been shot down by Iranian fighters during the period spanning 1978 to 1988,[19][20][21] although it is difficult to determine the validity of these claims.
During the Persian Gulf War, a US Navy F/A-18 piloted by Lt Cdr Scott Speicher was shot down on the first night of the war by a missile[22] probably fired by a MiG-25.[23] The kill was reportedly made with a R-40TD missile fired from a MiG-25PDS flown by Lt. Zuhair Dawood of the 84th squadron of the IrAF.[24]
In another incident, an Iraqi MiG-25PD, after eluding eight U.S. Air Force F-15s, fired three missiles at EF-111A Raven electronic warfare aircraft, forcing them to abort their mission and leave attacking aircraft without electronic jamming support.[25]
In yet another incident, two MiG-25s approached a pair of F-15s, fired missiles (which were evaded by the F-15s), and then outran the American fighters. Two more F-15s joined the pursuit, and a total of ten air-to-air missiles were fired at the MiG-25s, although none reached them.[26] According to the same sources, at least one F-111 was also forced to abort its mission by a MiG-25 on the first 24 hours of hostilities, during an air raid over Tikrit.[27]
Two MiG-25s were shot down by USAF F-15Cs during the Gulf War. After the war, in 1992, a U.S. F-16 downed a MiG-25 that violated the no-fly zone in southern Iraq.
In May 1997 an Indian Air Force MiG-25RB was detected flying faster than Mach 2 at least 65,000 ft,over Pakistani territory following a reconnaissance mission into Pakistan airspace. However, from one of PAF's Forward Operating Bases, radar traced the intruder and the F-16As scrambled, but could not match the MIG-25 ceiling. India denied the incident but Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Gohar Ayub Khan, believed that the Foxbat photographed strategic installations near the Capital, Islamabad.[28] The MiG-25 was an important strategic asset to India until the advent of recce satellites.
On December 23, 2002, an Iraqi MiG-25 shot down a U.S. Air Force unmanned MQ-1 Predator drone, which was performing armed reconnaissance over Iraq. This was the first time in history that an aircraft and an unmanned drone had engaged in combat. Predators had been armed with AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, and were being used to "bait" Iraqi fighter planes, then run. In this incident, the Predator did not run, but instead fired one of the Stingers, which missed, while the MiG's missile did not.[29]
No Iraqi aircraft were deployed in the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, with most Iraqi aircraft being hidden or destroyed on the ground. In August 2003, several dozen Iraqi aircraft were discovered buried in the sand. Those aircraft included two MiG-25s, which were excavated and sent to WPAFB's Foreign Technology Division using a C-5B Galaxy. In December 2006, it was announced that one MiG-25 was being donated to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Dayton, Ohio.[30]
Soviet Union - The
largest operator historically, Soviet aircraft were passed on to
its successor states in 1991.
Data from The Great Book of Fighters,[33] International Directory of Military Aircraft[34]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
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The MiG-25 Foxbat is a fast fighter plane made to attack enemies at high speed made by Russian airplane company Mikoyan It first flew in 1964 and was introduced in 1970. In 1976, a Soviet MiG-25 pilot left the Soviet Union and flew his plane to Japan, where it was looked at. It is very fast, and can go Mach 3.2 (3.2 times the speed of sound). But going at this speed can destroy the engines. It can carry 4 radar guided missiles and 4 heat seeking missiles. It is now being replaced by the MiG-31 Foxhound, but is used a little in other countries.
| Fighter aircraft made by Mikoyan | |
|---|---|
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG DIS | MiG-9 Fargo | MiG-15 Fagot | MiG-17 Fresco | MiG-19 Farmer | MiG-21 Fishbed | MiG-23 Flogger | MiG-25 Foxbat | MiG-27 Flogger | MiG-29 Fulcrum | MiG-31 Foxhound
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